There are few feelings as satisfying as going into a screening for a movie you don’t know much about and coming out of the theater thrilled at what you saw. The Bad Guys was the film that recently enabled me to feel those feelings. With stylish flair and some fun turns, the film is a good example of how to adapt something with reverence while using the tools that make film such a fun medium.
The Bad Guys is about you guessed it, bad guys..or in this case, a group of bad animals. Led by Mr. Wolf, a gang of criminals (Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark and Ms. Tarantula) have grown slightly weary with all their successes. Done with the simple crime of just stealing money from banks and priceless artworks, they turn their sights on stealing a trophy that has never been stolen, on the night it is meant to be given to Professor Marmalade, a virtuous do-gooder in the town. Unfortunately, they get caught but find a saving grace when Marmalade decides to take them under his wing and help them find their good selves.
The plot of the movie, by nature of its duplicitous leads, contains a lot of twists and turns, but Etan Cohen’s script manages to beautifully tell what becomes a very intricate character story. After all, these bad guys might be criminals, but are they villains? You’ll have to judge for yourself when you see it. It’s of no shock that the movie is so delightful because Cohen has laid a strong foundation with the writing for the film to build on. There’s so many funny jokes and punchlines, but it never feels too joke-y. Plus the movie knows how to make the most of its voice cast, giving the likes of Sam Rockwell and Zazie Beetz, with zippy dialogue and strong character moments.
This movie is just brimming with style and as such does Cohen’s words an even greater service by lifting them off of the page in an exciting way. Director Pierre Perifel uses the medium to do some fun visual things such as 2D textures, interesting camera angles and shot composition, that bring a fun energy to The Bad Guys. You’ll easily find yourself immersed in the world and having fun with the characters, and the movie will pull off a cool shot or make you say wow.
This film is truly a fun time at the movies and definitely one you should endeavor to check out.