Quick Links
- The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist Focuses on Friendship and Not Antics
- The Haunted Mansion Is the Key in The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist
As someone who has spent countless hours entertaining my young ones with animated films and series, I must say that “The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist” was a breath of fresh air compared to its holiday-themed counterpart, “A Very Bad Holiday”. The original movie’s unique animation style, which reminds me of the vibrant visuals in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, was sadly absent from both spin-offs. However, let’s not forget that even Disney’s “Aladdin” and Nickelodeon’s “The Penguins of Madagascar” series had their share of visual downgrades, yet they managed to captivate audiences.
A wolf. A snake. A tarantula, a shark, and a piranha. The grouping of these five animals sounds like the premise for a modern-day folk tale — and well, it is! Produced by Dreamworks Animation Studios in 2022, The Bad Guys transforms these creatures into quick-witted, reckless criminals. Not only was this comedy heist film a box office success (domestically and internationally), but critics liked it as well, applauding its pop culture inspirations and cleverness. With a surprisingly dynamic voice cast bringing the main characters to life — Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos — it’s no surprise that in March of this year, a theatrical sequel was announced. On the other hand, a startling announcement was to be had when Netflix stated that a prequel special about The Bad Guys would be coming to their platform on November 30, 2023.
Approximately half an hour long, “The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday” was met with unfavorable reactions. Devotees of the original series found it disappointing in both animation quality and script. However, undeterred by the criticism, Dreamworks Animation and Netflix have collaborated again to produce another holiday-themed special, this time focusing on Halloween. Released nearly a year subsequent to “A Very Bad Holiday,” “The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist” became available for viewing on October 3. Despite the similar runtime (approximately 24 minutes), it seems that the new directors and writers may have taken fan feedback into account, as “Haunted Heist” has been generally well-received compared to “A Very Bad Holiday.” Here’s why:
The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist Focuses on Friendship and Not Antics
To begin with, let’s spill the beans about something important first: The actors from the 2022 movie who gave voices to our beloved characters won’t be repeating their roles here, but that’s no cause for worry. Michael Godere, Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Raul Ceballos, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Mallory Low step up admirably to bring Mr. Wolf, Mr. Shark, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Tarantula to life in this production. As you listen, you’ll notice that they capture the same determination as the original cast did. Interestingly enough, these very voice actors were also behind the voices in A Very Bad Holiday, hinting that the issues with the 2023 Netflix release might have been script-related rather than a problem with the cast.
Fans of “The Bad Guys” will be pleased to hear that “The Bad Guys: A Haunted Heist” goes back to the original dynamic of the group, as opposed to the exaggerated humor seen in “A Very Bad Holiday.” There are no massive floats colliding with buildings, no Santa Claus robots, and no frozen landscapes reminiscent of Mr. Freeze’s attacks. The heist that was initially set for Christmas day gets complicated by numerous incidents, causing the criminal theme to become obscure. In “A Haunted Heist,” Mr. Wolf and his crew revisit their origins and devise a classic heist in a haunted mansion, rumored to house an ancient amulet.
The Haunted Mansion Is the Key in The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist
Despite encountering odd challenges and setbacks – typical of a children’s show – the narrative unfolds within a single setting. Indeed, Mr. Wolf’s actions have far-reaching effects, but the plot winds up neatly as it circles back to where it started: at the spooky mansion belonging to the late Reginald E. Scary.
In essence, while the spooky atmosphere of the holiday sets the scene for the special, it’s not the primary focus. Similar to the movie, the strong bond between the gang takes center stage. They collaborate to dodge Reginald E. Scary’s traps and engage in friendly tricks during the heist. However, this heartwarming camaraderie was often overshadowed by the complex plot twists in “A Very Bad Holiday”.
Regrettably, the distinctive cel-shaded animation style, reminiscent of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which set The Bad Guys movie apart, appears to be largely absent from A Very Bad Holiday and Haunted Heist. This is a fact, not up for debate, and fans of the original have valid reasons to voice their concerns. However, let’s consider animated series like those based on Disney’s Aladdin or The Penguins of Madagascar on Nickelodeon. Despite noticeable reductions in visual quality, these spin-offs enjoyed great success. If The Bad Guys continue to emphasize the same core values that made their movie a hit (as demonstrated in the recent special), they’re likely to have a long and prosperous life on Netflix.
You can stream both “The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday” and “The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist” on Netflix. For those who’d like to watch the first film from 2022, Amazon Prime Video offers it for streaming.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-10 00:14