The Bad Guys
DreamWorks’ latest animated film The Bad Guys is a crime-comedy based on the children’s book series from homegrown Victorian author Aaron Blabey; featuring the world’s most dangerous animal predators who have formed a notorious gang responsible for the biggest heists in town. Deciding to lean into the stereotype that society has placed upon them, Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr Piranaha (Anthony Ramos), Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson) and Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) plan to pull off their biggest heist to date – only things don’t exactly go to plan.
Directed by Pierre Perifel in his feature directorial debut, The Bad Guys tells the story of the gang who are forced to fool the world that they’re turning good. Reforming as model citizens in the hopes of successfully finishing their heist to steal the prized Golden Dolphin from its rightful recipient, guinea pig philanthropist Professor Rupert Marmalade IV (Richard Ayoade), the gang humorously discovers what being good feels like. Kept under close watch throughout the film, the Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz) holds out hope that the gang can change, while the hilarious and fiery police chief Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein) dedicates her life to locking them away for good.
The film’s animation style is one of its main highlights, taking the characters straight from the pages of Blabey’s books, and bringing them to life on the big screen. Action sequences are as packed as any live-action movie; with car chases and heist scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat. At times the film is almost comic-book-like (not that we’re complaining), and plays to its strengths that made the books so popular. Throw in the amazing voice talents of the cast, a few extra jokes for the adults, and DreamWorks have created yet another film that’s sure to become a classic with audiences.
What begins as a film about a notorious gang consisting of a smooth-talking thief of a wolf, a fidgety piranha, a sarcastic snake, a chameleon of a great white shark, and a tech-expert tarantula – transforms into a film that shows the journey of a close group of friends becoming the animals they always hoped to be. This feel-good animation will steal your heart, and have you laughing from start to finish – keeping all ages throughly entertained with something for everyone.
The Bad Guys is in cinemas from March 31 2022.