The Bad Guys 2 (PG) – 104 minutes

Cross and double cross are the hallmarks of this sequel to Dreamworks’ 2022 original animated feature The Bad Guys.

Fun filled, it subverted the heist genre with a crew of animal criminals, full of wit and swagger.

In that initial instalment, the quintet, led by Mr Wolf (the voice of Sam Rockwell), left behind their notorious days, becoming reformed antiheroes.

At the end of The Bad Guys, they are released from prison.

Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beet) shows up at the gates asking whether they are ready get to work.

Now we experience exactly how hard that is.

Mr Wolf, Mr Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr Piranha (Anthony Ramos) and Ms Tarantula (Awkwafina) have a succession of job interviews, only to be knocked back each time.

They, along with their housemate, Mr Snake (Marc Maron), are down on their knees, not knowing what to do next.

Then, out the blue, an opportunity arises when a new crook leaves the former police chief, now police commissioner (Alex Borstein) without answers.

Mr Wolf lends him a helping hand, which leads him to uncover a diabolical plot to steal the world’s gold supplies using a powerful magnetic compound.

Behind the scheme is an all-female squad.

They are led by the self-confident Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks) and include Doom (Natasha Lyonne) and Pigtail (Maria Bakalova).

Governor Foxington’s advice to Mr Fox – trust no-one – is entirely appropriate as The Bad Guys (turned better guys) are led on a merry chase.

Of course, there is the ever-present threat that they may go back to their bad old ways.

Based on the New York Times best-selling book series by Aaron Blabey, like the first film, the sequel is lively, colourful and creative.

The original director, Pierre Perifel, is back in the chair, alongside co-director JP Sans.

The characters are again very well drawn (the animation is top class) and easy to like.

This story begins with a flashback to the crew in Cairo five years earlier (in their halcyon days), leading police on a chase, having stolen a priceless, never driven car.

It sets the tone for the madness and mayhem to follow.

Like the first, much of the action is led by Mr Wolf, who can sweet talk himself out of just about any situation and whose dutiful associates follow suit.

In this second film, there is a flame flickering between Mr Wolf and the governor, who clearly has a soft spot for him.

Kitty Kat makes for a formidable foe, while Doom, aka Mr Snake’s love interest, has a few tricks up her sleeve.

Supported by an up-tempo score, The Bad Guys 2 is a worthy sequel.

Rated PG, it scores a 7 out of 10.