(Life Through the Lens - Photo Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

“Wise man say: Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.”

In a world of “survival of the fittest,” one rather unexpected species has risen through the ranks.

This animal is virtually hairless, with soft tissue and organs completely vulnerable. It possesses little strength or weaponry; even its claws are brittle and useless. Its eyesight is often impaired. Its stamina is usually laughable. Its intelligence is lauded but frequently distracted or diminished. Its reproduction is labored and slow, with offspring that are dependent and useless for years. Instead of honing “survival,” most of the species are stuck in cages of worry, anxiety, depression, shame and futility.

By all measures, this hairless, defenseless, hopeless creature should have been an evolutionary blip, a temporary food for something bigger and badder.

But. But this species grew something better. Something better than size or strength or camouflage. They developed something called “community” or “family.” It covers all of the ugly, the vulnerable, the laughably underwhelming. “The collective” is more powerful than any beast or biome.

If the family has evolved to combat and connect, there is a danger lurking. It is a threat designed to use their greatest strength against them: the False Family. The false family will create feelings of community, ease and comfort in order to take advantage of them when their already inadequate defenses are down. The False Family will use the beauty of dependency and reliance as a weapon to mar, mangle and manipulate.

It is evolution speaking – beware the false family! It may be humanity’s biggest threat!

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The Bad Guys have changed, evolved. They are no longer a menace to society … but try telling that to society. They are only seen as what they once were, so reinvention and reintegration is proving difficult.

Wolf (Sam Rockwell) is escaping his vocational sorrows by spending more-and-more time with Diane (Zazie Beetz); they speak a common language. Snake (Marc Maron) is also finding himself busy recently with his new girlfriend Susan.

In a desperate attempt to show they are rehabilitated, the Bad Guys offer to aid the police in their search for the new villain terrorizing the city: the Phantom Bandit. Who better to catch a criminal than an ex-criminal … it worked in “Silence of the Lambs,” right? When it all “goes down” though, the Bad Guys are set up and framed. The Phantom Bandit is one step ahead. So much for rehabilitation!

As if life wasn’t complicated enough, while they flee from the police, the Bad Guys are abducted by a trio of female criminals. In order to pull an impossible heist, the femmes fatale need the unique talents of the Bad Guys … even if they are “good” now. And they aren’t asking – they are telling. Wolf and his crew have no choice but to be “bad” once again.

Directors Pierre Perifel and JP Sans have created a universe with texture and intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed both “The Bad Guys” and “The Bad Guys 2.” Their animation choices are full of life as well! The music by Daniel Pemberton is infectious and memorable. The art direction by Floriane Marchix is complimentary and consistent. The screenplay by Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen is funny, poignant at times and creative.

Rockwell is stellar as always as Wolf; he continues to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile and consistent stars. Craig Robinson (as Shark), Anthony Ramos (as Piranha), Maron (as Snake) and Richard Ayoade (as Professor Marmalade) each deliver moments of genuine laughter. As sequels go, it far exceeded my expectations (and my son’s, for that matter).

REPORT CARD: “The Bad Guys 2.” Grade: B+, A worthy continuation

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Life in NYC 1990: You turn around for one second and a ninja steals your television set. Classic Big Apple!

When TV reporter April O’Neil (Judith Hoag) asks tough questions, she gets stonewalled by the police force. It appears people don’t really want to know how bad it has truly gotten. The ignorance and apathy have given the city over to the shadows, now referred to as “the Foot.” This organization preys on the lonely and outcast, giving them a family in exchange for obedience.

April refuses to go quietly, though. “The Foot,” headed by their mysterious (and incredibly appareled) leader known as the Shredder, seek to silence her. When April is attacked, she is rescued by several unseen heroes. All she finds after the scrum is one solitary weapon: a sai (you better believe that Raphael is beating himself up for losing it, too!).

Four turtle-like humanoids exit the sewer and enter into a life of crime-fighting. Their oozy-inception, their formative years studying martial arts under the tutelage of an enormous rat — it has all prepared them for this moment to reclaim the city that they have loved from a distance their whole lives.

Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello, along with the help of their sporting-store-mascot friend Casey Jones (Elias Koteas), face-off against the forces of evil and violence.

The early 90s bore witness to the height of practical effects … quickly followed by the demise. The 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features my all-time favorite costumes — those things are astronomically awesome! Instead of gimmicks or shortcuts, those actors were casted, plastered, then run through the wringer to pull off that movie magic. No shortcuts here! Did you know that the facial expressions and movements were controlled via remote by an operator sitting right off screen? Psh, crazy! All these years later, I am still just as impressed by this movie’s dedication to craft.

The direction of Steve Barron is spot on – he embraced the absurdity and made real the fantasy. The characters by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird were childhood friends of mine, so this movie is near and- ear to me. I grew up as the fifth turtle: not quite as green but just as tubular. The screenplay by Todd W. Langen and Bobby Herbeck is quirky, funny and instantly charming. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop completely outdid themselves with their unforgettable work.

Hoag is great as April; she is strong and magnetic. Koteas is effortlessly entertaining as Casey Jones. The men donning the suits – Josh Pais, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden and David Forman – did amazing and impressive work. The voice acting of Josh Pais (as Raph), Robbie Rist (as Mikey), Brian Tochi (as Leo), Corey Feldman (as Donny) and Kevin Clash (Splinter) were full of personality and creativity. How’s this for a connection to The Bad Guys 2? Young Sam Rockwell appears (and impresses) as “Head Thug.”

Here’s to another 35 years of making movie magic!

REPORT CARD: “TMNT.” Grade: A+, Exactly as it should be