The newest entry in the animated action series, “The Bad Guys 2,” directed by Pierre Perifel and starring Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Craig Robinson, and Danielle Brooks, continues to challenge stereotypes and explore the nuanced journey of redemption through its colorful cast of animal characters.
For the original and its sequel, Perifel was immediately captivated by the original book’s innovative concept – a group of animal criminals attempting to become good guys.
“They are literally gangsters, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it looks exactly like ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and Tarantino, just with animals’,” Perifel said.
The film’s core narrative goes beyond simple good versus evil, delving into the complex process of societal reintegration and personal transformation.
“It’s not just black and white,” Perifel explained. “It’s not just because you’re redeemed in the first one that everything’s going to go smoothly in the second one.”
The sequel explores deeper themes of trust, judgment, and hope. Perifel emphasized the importance of understanding that redemption is a challenging, ongoing process. “Life takes time,” he noted. “Trust gets built and gets destroyed.”
Central to the film’s message is the exploration of second chances, particularly for those who have made mistakes and served time. “What does reinsertion mean after spending time in prison?” Perifel asked. “How do you go back to a society that doesn’t really believe or trust you?”
The narrative deliberately challenges preconceived notions about identity and potential for change. Characters face ongoing skepticism about their true nature, with some community leaders maintaining faith in their capacity for good. This dynamic reflects real-world struggles of individuals seeking to overcome past reputations.
“At the heart of it, you have to have hope,” Perifel said. “Hope means that some people will trust who you are deep down.”
The film’s approach to storytelling draws inspiration from diverse cinematic influences. Perifel cited Tarantino’s stylistic approach as a key inspiration, transforming the heist genre into an animated adventure that speaks to both children and adults.
The visual concept from the original book series by Aaron Blabey, featuring characters like a wolf, shark, snake, and piranha dressed in suits, immediately struck Perifel as a “brilliant” storytelling opportunity.
While the first film focused on the initial redemption arc, the sequel explores the challenging aftermath of that transformation. Characters continue to grapple with societal perceptions and their own internal struggles, creating a nuanced narrative about personal growth.
Perifel believes the film’s themes are universally relatable. “We all experience moments where someone is going to judge us for something we did or didn’t do,” he said. “We judge ourselves for the same reason.”
The movie maintains a fundamentally hopeful perspective, suggesting that personal change is possible and that community support can be transformative. Key characters like Governor Diane Foxen (Zazie Beetz) and Chief Misty (Alex Borstein) demonstrate a belief in the protagonists’ potential for good.
“The Bad Guys 2” is directed by Pierre Perifel and features Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Danielle Brooks, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos. The film is distributed by Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation, premiering in theaters on August 1.
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