A wolf, a snake, a shark, a tarantula and a piranha. These animals have always had a bad rep in stories, films, and all other forms of media. And in Dreamwork’s latest animated feature, ‘The Bad Guys’ well, they literally are ‘The Bad Guys’. Or at least, they have lived with that image their whole lives, they just decide to go with it.
These anthropomorphic creatures and notorious criminals (bank heists, museum robberies) co-exist with humans in a city which has its citizens run away terrified, every time they run into Mr. Wolf and his gang.
After a heist goes wrong, Mr. Wolf, (voiced by award-winning actor Sam Rockwell) and his associates have to prove that they can be good. This will be done through an experiment conducted by the city’s official goody-two-shoe (he even has an award up for it) a guinea pig named Professor Rupert Marmalade IV (Richard Ayoade). It’s a bit of an uphill battle to shed their bad guy image, could it all be part of a ploy Mr. Wolf is hatching or could he be having a change of heart? And if it is the latter, how would his long time crew react to this change in lifestyle?
And what’s up with the city’s governor Diane Foxington (Zazee Beetz)? Yup. She’s a red fox and I just have to say the chemistry between her and Mr. Wolf is just too palpable! Even better in some real-life human actors (I kid you not).
Beautifully animated to begin with. Think ‘Arcane’ with its use of 2D elements amidst an overall 3D layout. And I couldn’t help but feel that since the film is based on an award winning book series, that a lot of the time, it felt like you were flipping through pages in a book. Something about the storyboarding and the animation.
Beyond its beautiful animation, I appreciated how there were a lot of twists in the story. A lot of times, even I couldn’t predict how the story was going to go, which was very refreshing and I think it is an important exposure to kids who would go and see the film. You don’t have to always follow the same trends in stories. Don’t be afraid to go out and make it your own. In this case, about how everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves. Even if they are the perceived villains in stories. And to never, judge a book by its cover. You never know, you might actually like the story it has to tell.
Great story, beautiful animation and the music is a plus! Great selection that really gives off that crime-comedy vibe (from Jewel, The Heavy and more!)
Joining Sam Rockwell, the talented voice cast also includes Marc Maron as Mr. Snake, Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha, Craig Robinson is Mr. Shark and Awkwafina is Ms. Tarantula.
A treat for both adults and kids, ‘The Bad Guys’ is in cinemas April 27.