‘The Bad Guys‘ is a Dreamworks animated movie loosely based on a book by Aaron Blabey, which I have not read. The film is the directorial debut of director Pierre Perifel. It had a theatrical run and then it streamed to the Universal Pictures streaming service Peacock.

The Big Bad Wolf (Sam Rockwell) leads a gang of thieves called the “Bad Guys” including Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Ms. Tarantulas (Awkwafina), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), and Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos). Their robberies are all the talk of the town, especially with human reporter Tiffany Fluffit (Lilly Singh) pushing their stories on TV. One day, they try to steal the highly valuable “golden dolphin” but are led into a trap by human Police Chief Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein). Before going to jail, guinea pig entrepreneur Professor Rupert Marmalade IV (Richard Ayoade) convinces fox Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz) to let him rehabilitate them so they become “good guys.” The gang plays along so they can get a pardon, but the Big Bad Wolf likes being loved and not feared, putting a strain on his relationship with the other Bad Guys.

What can I say? I enjoyed this movie a great deal. I am a sucker for animation and films that have solid redemption stories. If I could compare it, it is a combination of the Dreamworks feature Over The Hedge and Warner Media’s Ocean’s Eleven. Somehow, they made that combination work, making it sharp and witty.

It is set in a world similar to the “Looney Tunes” where humans and anthro-animals live in harmony. I thought that the filmmakers found a good balance between the characters and it made for some pretty funny moments.

Now, it did have some pacing issues. Sometimes it moved along a bit fast, making it feel rushed at times, but it made up for it in other ways.

When it comes to animation, it is nothing we have not seen before, but it was still sharp and done with excellence. All of the characters, even the “stock crowd” characters were made to look unique and I thought the action moved seamlessly with several nods to popular heist films.

What truly makes the film come together is the voice cast, particularly of the Bad Guys. Sam Rockwell is a certified underrated actor and I applaud him as the Big Bad Wolf. The same goes for everyone else, who made their respective roles. There was a lot of witty dialogue that they delivered with total impact.

Bottom line, The Bad Guy is a solid animated film that has a compelling story and an excellent cast. It is fun, fast, and I think the whole family will enjoy it.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Cartoonish violence, Distressing images

FAVORITE QUOTE: Do I wish people didn’t see us as monsters? Sure, I do. But these are the cards we’ve been dealt, so we might as well play ’em.

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my movie reviews for Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Ranger and Fruits Basket: Prelude. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

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