Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back Review – Marsupials on a Metaverse Mission

If you enjoyed 2020’s fast-paced romp Combat Wombat, strap in for an equally wild ride with Back 2 Back. This light-hearted sequel reunites us with the franchise’s beloved characters – namely Deborah Mailman’s valley girl-accented hero Maggie “Combat Wombat” Diggins and her plucky possum sidekick Sweetie, voiced by Ed Oxenbould. After the first film saw them conquer grief and crime-fighting self-doubt, the wombat and glider duo now proudly protect Sanctuary City full-time.

Yet just when it seems our heroes can rest on their furry laurels, a new technological threat arises in the form of smarmy villain Lenny Glick (David Wenham). Armed with a virtual reality system called Sanctuary+, this goateed tech genius plans to trap the metropolis in a simulated world. To pull off his scheme, Lenny takes control of a group of hypnotized senior citizens. But with freedom and reality itself hanging by a thread, the clock is ticking for Combat Wombat to decode Lenny’s plot. Can Maggie and her crew thwart danger once more?

Virtual Reality Showdown

True to the sequel’s name, Back 2 Back wastes no time jumping into the action. We open with Combat Wombat and Gallant Glider launching a “Hero on Demand” app, allowing citizens to summon them for any minor issue. Before long, our heroes are drained from retrieving frisbees and unclogging drains. Yet retirement plans are cut short when a bizarre crime wave strikes Sanctuary City.

Several senior citizens have orchestrated high-tech burglaries utilizing strange ear implants. Combat Wombat’s wombat senses tingle, suspecting foul play. Her hunch proves correct – the true criminal mastermind is Steve Jobs wannabe Lenny Glick. Armed with a advanced virtual reality system called Sanctuary+, this smug chameleon has hijacked the seniors’ minds.

To crack the case, Combat Wombat goes undercover at a bowling club with her possum partner and teenager Skylar Bloodface. There she meets one senior’s granddaughter Matilda, who joins the investigation. The trail of clues leads to Lenny’s company Chameleonline. His endgame: trapping all of Sanctuary City in a simulated world through Sanctuary+, allowing Lenny to reconstruct reality however he pleases.

With an army of hypnotized elderly at his disposal and unlimited power at his fingertips, Lenny seems unstoppable. Yet Combat Wombat quickly learns why you should never underestimate a marsupial on a mission. Our heroes must navigate both the real city and Lenny’s glittering metaverse to shut down Sanctuary+ once and for all. But can Maggie pull the plug before the simulation claims Sanctuary City for good?

A Menagerie of Mammals

Back 2 Back brings back the fan favorites who made the first film soar. Once again, Deborah Mailman imbues Combat Wombat with empathy and quirky charm, while Ed Oxenbould gives high-flying sidekick Gallant Glider a lovably earnest voice. Together, the pair continue to generate feel-good fun whether they’re stopping burglaries or retrieving frisbees.

Of course, what’s a superhero story without a supervillain? Enter Lenny Glick, brought to smug life by David Wenham’s silky voiceover. With his black turtleneck and schemes of total control, Lenny is Steve Jobs meets Dr. Evil. We also meet his hypnotized elderly minions, particularly lead robber Reginald (a standout Mark Coles Smith).

Added to the mix are moody teenager Skylar Bloodface and Reginald’s shy granddaughter Matilda, who becomes central to unwinding Lenny’s plot. Both newcomers add diversity and expanded perspectives to the franchise. Rounding out the cast is Dan Brumm as the perpetually peeved Police Chief Burbank, who suspects Combat Wombat may be Sanctuary City’s real public enemy number one.

As Lenny’s virtual reality threatens to fracture their world, the core characters must confront their differences and unite for the greater good. Much like the story, growth and change moves our heroes forward – even while keeping what made us love them intact.

Messages That Resonate

At its fuzzy heart, the Combat Wombat franchise has always championed empathy and unity. Back 2 Back continues this tradition while expanding its thematic scope. With Lenny’s reality-warping technology enabling him to play god, the sequel evolves into a commentary on society’s complex relationship with tech and data.

The film also emphasizes the importance of cross-generational bonds. Key to foiling Lenny is Combat Wombat connecting with aged thief Reginald and his granddaughter Matilda. Their collaboration represents how understanding different perspectives leads to growth. The movie suggests the elderly have much to offer when given a chance.

Back 2 Back also addresses the lasting impact of grief, a theme woven into Maggie’s heroic journey since the first film. Her evolution shows that while sorrow’s sting never fully fades, good friends and noble purpose can provide solace.

Most centrally, the franchise’s call for compassion and sacrifice endures. Our heroes routinely put citizens’ needs before their own, exemplifying the empathy and kindness the movies celebrate. Within the mayhem of stopping Lenny, Back 2 Back reminds us how everyday acts of good keep darkness at bay – not just in movies, but reality itself.

Bringing Sanctuary City to Life

While unlikely to win any awards for technical wizardry, Back 2 Back’s animation pops with candy-colored charm. The character models showcase cuddly textures, bringing Sanctuary City’s mammals to fuzzy life.Environments also dazzle, from the psychedelic landscapes of Lenny’s metaverse to Combat Wombat’s more earthy hideouts. The visuals expertly capture the franchise’s infectiously upbeat, Saturday morning cartoon vibe.

The breakneck pace does mean background details occasionally turn plasticine. Yet the blurry visuals match the woozy, topsy-turvy plot, placing us inCombat Wombat’s dizzy boots. And while unlikely to enter any superhero movie’s effects battle, Back 2 Back understands imaginative spectacle isn’t defined by budget.

Propelling the visuals is a zippy orchestral score mixing oboes, chimes and propulsive percussion. It captures the free-wheeling fun without ever overpowering the comedy and characters. Similarly, the sound design delights with squeaks, sirens and splats, crafting an audio environment as creative as the film itself. Like the story, Back 2 Back’s technical elements punch above their weight with heart and humor compensating for any rough edges.

A Solid Entry in the Franchise

Back 2 Back continues the gleefully silly antics that made Combat Wombat so enjoyable in the first place. While the plot overcomplicates matters and risks losing younger viewers, the movie rebounds with ample heart and laughs. David Wenham also proves a worthy villain successor to the first film’s scene-stealing Cecil (the late Hugo Weaving, wonderfully channeling Elmer Fudd).

One slight drawback is the more muted real-world environment compared to the virtual reality hijinks. Once the story enters Lenny’s metaverse, that creative spark truly ignites. The movie best balances anarchy and accessibility in these reality-bending segments. Still, patient parents will find decent return on investment here, with kiddos obsessively rewatching their fuzzy new heroes in both live action and VR.

Ultimately, Back 2 Back continues the series’ winning streak for parents and kids alike. While unlikely to surpass the original, the sequel mostly pulls off its own virtual coup, announcing Combat Wombat as a franchise firmly on the rise. With heart and humor to spare, these marsupials down under still deliver maximum fun. So while the animation remains rough around the edges, Combat Wombat’s latest romp scratches that family blockbuster itch beautifully.