From the very beginning,The Bad Guysdoesn’t feel like other films from DreamWorks Animation. The opening scene ofThe Bad Guysis the longest one-shot take ever in a DreamWorks Animation film, aPulp Fictionhomage centered around Mr. Wolf (voiced bySam Rockwell) and Mr. Snake (voiced byMarc Maron), two members of a criminal gang known as the “Bad Guys.” These two simply have a discussion about birthdays at a diner, before heading off to a bank robbery and getaway that would impress even Danny Ocean.
Like the rest ofThe Bad Guys, the scene doesn’t rely on goofy gags or over-the-top jokes, but rather, the focus is on dialogue, character, and the dynamic between these two. Add to that a gorgeous animation style that gives a 2D feeling to 3D animation that feels equally inspired bySpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,The Adventures of Tintin, 2010’sThe Illusionist, and anime,The Bad Guysis a refreshing animated film that is by far one of DreamWorks Animation’s best.
In addition to Mr. Wolf and Mr. Snake, rounding out “The Bad Guys” team is the hacking expert, Ms. Tarantula (voiced byAwkwafina), the team’s muscle, Mr. Piranha (voiced byAnthonyRamos), and the master of disguise, Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson). The Bad Guys decide to pull off their biggest heist yet: stealing The Golden Dolphin, a good Samaritan award going to the guinea pig humanitarian, Professor Rupert Marmalade IV (voiced byRichard Ayoade).
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During the heist, Mr. Wolf helps an old woman, and is given praise for his goodness. For the first time, Mr. Wolf sees the benefit of now being a “bad guy.” When the gang gets caught in the middle of The Golden Dolphin heist, Mr. Wolf convinces the red fox governor, Diane Foxington (voiced byZazie Beetz) that instead of arresting the team, she should let Professor Marmalade rehabilitate the crew, turning the Bad Guys into the Good Guys. While Mr. Wolf plays off this choice as part of a larger plan, Mr. Wolf is also on his way to realizing that being good might not be so bad after all.
First-time directorPierre Perifel, who has worked in animation on such projects as 2006’sCurious George,Monsters vs. Aliens,The Illusionist, and the Kung Fu Panda series, directsThe Bad Guysmore like an action film than an animated film. Every frame ofThe Bad Guysis full of life and excitement, a beautiful film that wears its cinematic loves on its sleeve. Amongst a giant action sequence, there might be a quick reference to the work ofHergé, or a subtle nod to any number of heist films. This is also thanks to the script byEtan Cohen(based on the book series of the same name fromAaron Blabey), that embraces the action and heist nature of the story, without succumbing to the more bombastic and tired jokes that can become commonplace in large-scale animated films.
The Bad Guysis also impeccably cast, with particularly solid voice performances by Rockwell and Maron. Rockwell nails the sly attitude the character needs, while also balancing the line between good and bad. Maron is especially fun as Mr. Snake, a grumpy safe-cracker who is Mr. Wolf’s best friend and the most reticent to change. But this entire team is particularly wonderful, especially when we get to see them in action during one of their many large-scale thefts.
But the joy ofThe Bad Guyscomes in its ability to feel fresh in a style of film that often doesn’t.The Bad Guysmanages to look stunning throughout, charming and exciting in tone, and with a lovely voice cast that brings this extremely fun story about friendship, self-improvement, and grand theft to life.The Bad Guysmight be DreamWorks best non-sequel since 2010’sMegamind(another story of bad-turned-good), or evenKung Fu Panda. Much like whatMegaminddid with superhero films, orKung Fu Pandadid for martial arts films,The Bad Guysbrings a deep love for heist films to this animated adventure, and in doing so, creates one of the year’s best animated films.
