Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
When they announced they were making a Bad Boys movie without Michael Bay, my interest immediately plummeted. Then I went to go see Bad Boys For Life and was completely shocked at how much I enjoyed it more than the second movie, and how much it works without Michael Bay. Despite my thoughts that Bad Boys For Life was a perfect ending for the Franchise, Bad Boys: Ride or Die surprisingly delivers another fun mission for Marcus and Mike, however it certainly shouldn’t be referred to as a Bad Boys movie, because whatever made these characters these characters, no longer exists and it’s become more Fast and Furious than Bad Boys – still enjoyable but certainly not the Franchise we expect.
The Movie focuses on our resident Bad Boys again, Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) as they’re in different stages of their life somehow now. Mike is now married, surprising for the forever bachelor but he also now has a son, Armando (Jacob Scipio) that was introduced in Bad Boys For Life (spoilers). At Mike’s wedding Marcus has a heart attack and decides to become spiritual as Mike starts getting panic attacks as now he has a family to protect. Certainly not the same Bad Boys we had in the early 2000s but alas here we are. Things get heated when Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) (again spoilers for Bad Boys for Life) is now dead and he is accused of protecting the gangs of Miami and the cartels and was their dirty cop. While Mike and Marcus want to ensure they clear the captains name, Rita (Paola Núñez) and Lockwood (Ioan Gruffudd) are rather skeptical pitting the Bad Boys against them and everyone else who doubts Captain Howard’s innocence.
We shortly thereafter, discover the truth that Howard was innocent and the cartel is behind it all, wanting to ensure that they can continue bringing their drugs into Miami and the person who is carrying out their handy work is McGrath (Eric Dane). It’s not long before the Bad Boys get face to face with McGrath and his band of misfits and the chaos truly unfolds at the forefront. There is so much chaos and energy that is immitted in Bad Boys: Ride or Die but to call it a Bad Boys film is unfair because its certainly faster and more furious than any of three three previous installments.
As usually Smith and Lawrence are great in their roles despite the fact that their characters have undergone essentially a rewrite and are no longer the characters from over twenty years ago. Dane as the no f&ck$ given bad guy is great, his presence is terrifying and daunting, Núñez and Gruffudd are casually underutilized and fall into the background. However, Scipio continues to be fantastic and have fun in the world of the Bad Boys but Alexander Ludwig as Dorn and Vanessa Hudgens as Kelly, bring forth a new dynamic of hilarity and sincerity to the fourth installment of the Franchise.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die brings the performances and charisma we expect from Lowrey and Barnett however their characters have undergone drastic character changes. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah continue to push the boundaries of filmmaking and directing with their style throughout the Film and make some very enjoyable moments. Despite being more Fast and Furious than Bad Boys, Bad Boys: Ride or Die is immensely enjoyable and filled with action that’ll leave the audience continuously reaching for their popcorn.
Sony Pictures Canada release BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE in theatres Friday June 7, 2024.
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