Bad Boys Ride Or Die
Bad Boys has managed to remain popular over time by maintaining its energetic Miami charm. Adil and Bilall Fallah continue their cinematic magic in telling Marcus and Mike’s decades-long friendship story with an earthy tone while including extended action sequences, cameo appearances from Tiffany Haddish to DJ Khaled as well as plenty of banter between episodes.
Bad Boys Ride Or Die | The Good
Ride or Die is held together by an outstanding relationship between Smith and Lawrence, and their witty exchanges carry much of the film forward through some of its more audacious exploits. Reggie (Dennis Greene) and Kelly (Vanessa Hudgens) form an ideal duo that’s easy to root for; and its action scenes, while not particularly inventive or daring, remain entertaining (such as Marcus and Mike’s midair jailbreak from a military helicopter or shooting their assailants from first person perspective a la video game).
Though the movie could use more depth – it remains unclear what exactly lies behind Marcus’ religious delusions, and sometimes feels too serious – there’s still plenty to enjoy here. It’s refreshing that an R-rated, big, noisy and stupid movie stands up and knows its role – something uncommon in today’s blockbuster marketplace.
Bad Boys Ride or Die is both comedic and sincere compared to its previous entries, and that approach pays dividends. It serves as a welcome reminder that some franchises get better with age; an old-school buddy cop flick can still stand the test of time; Will Smith can still deliver high-octane thrills despite his diminishing star.
Bad Boys Ride Or Die | The Bad
Good news is, Bad Boys Ride or Die is full of nail-biting action and hilarious humor, just as expected of a sequel to 2020’s Bad Boys for Life: it picks up immediately following that film to continue following Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett’s (Lawrence).
Director Adille El Arbi and co-writer Bilall Fallah keep this franchise on a roll with expert direction and writing by adding some interesting twists without ruining its basic formula. There’s plenty of overblown action with some innovative visual effects as well as attempts at rebuilding the damaged reputation of former police captain (Ryan Reynolds) while simultaneously acknowledging their hypermasculine status is diminishing with age.
Although the plot may not be illogical, there are no scenes here as riveting as Captain Howard’s death in the previous film and it can be hard to care about the fate of these characters when they seem never truly threatened by an external force like villainy. More close calls from him would have added depth and fear-inducing tension that these movies are known for.
Bad Boys Ride or Die is expected to hit Netflix after its short theatrical run before moving onto Disney+ and Hulu as part of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s partnership with those streaming services.
Bad Boys Ride Or Die | The Ugly
Will Smith’s Oscars performance was anything but smooth; after winning, swearing live television, and striking one of the presenters during live transmission of an awards show. But Will is back to action comedy with Bad Boys 2, featuring both him and Martin Lawrence back as Miami cops Mike and Marcus with matching beards; their lively bromantic chemistry remains intact while directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah bring new life into this franchise by tweaking some of its soap opera elements for new stories to unfold.
Ride or Die is filled with engaging action sequences and thrilling shootouts, from an NRA encampment encounter to the chaotic conclusion at Florida theme parks and cameo appearances from Tiffany Haddish and DJ Khaled; but what really elevates it are the subtle touches: Mike and Marcus have more heart this time, their relationship framed by Captain Howard’s estranged daughter (Rhea Seehorn) who’s looking for them and the US Marshal on their trail.
Though no modern blockbuster can hope to match Michael Bay’s original Bad Boys movies for sheer irresponsible, depraved anarchy, Ride or Die is proof that even fourquels can remain engaging if handled smartly and delivering an appropriate balance between action and comedy. Lawrence remains at the heart of these characters with her manic comedic energy providing ample fuel for narrative arcs in Ride or Die.
Bad Boys Ride Or Die | The Bottom Line
Bad Boys Ride or Die appears to have run its course as far as excitement goes, although its action sequences remain thrilling and its cast competent in their roles. But its story seems repetitive and overloaded with familiar elements.
The plot revolves around Marcus and Mike, their families (biological and extended), and their friendship. Director Adil El Arbi and co-writer Bilall Fallah have done an outstanding job of staying true to its roots while making updates relevant for modern audiences – for instance incorporating first person perspective for gunfights as an innovative addition that adds something fresh into an otherwise standard sequence.
Even more poignantly, there’s even an homage to the franchise’s cheesey 1980s roots with an allusion in one scene when one particularly intense sequence unfolds: this will likely please its many dedicated fans.
But no one goes to see a Bad Boys movie expecting anything other than fast and engaging action scenes with sharp banter between its leads, which the film delivers on, though without its predecessor’s depth and ingenuity which made the experience fresh for 2020 audiences. Overall it provides fun throwback vibes while not quite living up to our hopes for sequel.
