The gang is back in “The Bad Guys 2,” a solid film with top tier animation. (photo courtesy of DreamWorks Animation)

“The Bad Guys” was a solid film with creative animation. Not DreamWorks’ best but nowhere near lower tier. As for the sequel? It’s a vast improvement on something that already worked well enough: better animation, enjoyable new characters that don’t outshine the established ones, more funny gags and heisting, so much heisting. That’s how it should be.

Quick recap. Last we saw the crew, they turned their lives around. Rather than rob the town, these once legendary criminals hope for a second chance as regular, upstanding citizens, scary critters (a wolf, shark, spider, etc.) living practically amongst anthropomorphic animals and humans. But nobody will hire infamous former crooks.

In lieu of a regular 9-to-5, perhaps they can help local P.D. identify a new crew involved in a string of specific heists. Then again, they might just get pulled into one final job, begrudgingly, of course.

If you enjoyed the first “Bad Guys,” based on the children’s graphic novel series by Aaron Blabey, this sequel is a heightened version of the same. Many elements of the plot reappear. The reformed criminals struggle with doing the right thing, but as always, Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell) has a plan.

The team mostly knows their roles. Shark (Craig Robinson) takes on any identity that the job requires, from blending in as a shark with a mustache or a French baker bellowing “cappuccino” to really sell the role. Piranha (Anthony Ramos) is a master escape artist, though he gets a bit gassy when he’s stressed. And Tarantula (Awkwafina) puts all eight legs to work as an incomparable hacker.

But Snake (Marc Maron) is MIA. Rather than argue with Wolf about the plan or general resistance to giving up the life, he’s out and about. While everyone else struggles with everyday life, he’s never been happier. Why?

The supporting gang is all back, too. Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz) still roots for the bad guys privately and as governor, occasionally drawing upon her past as a cat thief, even though she’s a fox. And Commissioner Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein) still doubts the bad guys are up to good.

As for villains, let’s keep those folks under wraps to avoid spoilers. Half the fun is seeing how the story unfolds. Rest assured, conniving guinea pig Dr. Marmalade (Richard Ayoade) is back with more to do.

The key strength: all that heisting. Unlike the previous film, the team plans and executes more often and ends up in precarious situations that require adaptation.

Then there’s the grand finale. The third act is bigger, like a Bond film bound by the loose rules of animation. It never feels like too much. That’s the power of animation that need not mimic reality. Instead, it lends itself to visual sequences that are stunning and thrills that feel pressing.

Perhaps one frustration this time around is a recurrence of distrust. Like the first film, nobody trusts the bad guys, who must fight for public trust once more. Luckily, such excessively familiar moments don’t last long. And the film’s ending ensures this trope won’t return in any future installments, which feel ready to do more exciting things.

Like the previous entry, the animation is top tier. Walking, talking animals and humans coexist in this narrative landscape with ease and cohesion, thanks to a visual style that rejects photo realism. Character design tips a hat to classic Looney Tunes, while closeups soften edges by replicating watercolor brushstrokes.

Animation’s shift away from realism needs to continue. Perhaps Pixar and Disney will get on board soon. A banger could be on the horizon.

Don’t expect “The Bad Guys 2” to reach the impressive heights of “How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Wild Robot” or “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” but it’s not far off. The premise feels more child-centric (and young viewers will certainly find much to enjoy), but the story, visuals, action and humor sport universal appeal.