DidBad Boys: Ride or Diejust enter its later-stageFast and Furiousperiod, whenFaststorytellers shot for the moon without grounded restraints? DirectorsAdil & Bilalldon’t literally shoot Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett into space likeF9, but there are enough extreme shenanigans to make you think Dom’s crew is only a cargo plane skydive away. That’s a compliment most of the time because who doesn’t love whenFast Fiveturned the corner for the better?Bad Boys: Ride or Dieis the flavor of fun-loving blockbuster entertainment that distracts you while eating an entire bucket of popcorn without knowing, with a sizzle reel hotter than the Florida heat.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Will SmithandMartin Lawrenceare back in the saddle as Miami Detective Lieutenants who love each other like smack-talking brothers. Lowrey is reintroduced disobeying traffic laws in another flashy sportscar at illegal speeds while Burnett’s anxiety manifests as nausea, but familiar introductions fade into rejuvenating shakeups. Smith’s playboy gunman and Lawrence’s Skittles-munching partner find themselves fugitives after Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is posthumously framed for criminal corruption. Only Lowrey and Burnett can clear Howard’s legacy, but they’ll have to do so on the run from Miami PD, the FBI, and US Marshalls.
WritersChris BremnerandWill BeallevolveBad Boys: Ride or Diebeyond another rehash of rebellious cop tropes and Burnett’s retirement dreams. Instead of maintaining Lowrey’s bulletproof attitude and Burnett’s patented freakouts,they basically bodyswap Smith’s and Lawrence’s roles. Neither Lowrey nor Burnett are cemented in their buddy-comedy character molds, which is a refreshing sentiment four films into a decades-spanning franchise. Bremner and Beall write away procedural stuffiness that comes along with any police thriller, taking dynamic swings that let Lowrey battle his mental demons for once, or permit Burnett the freedom to go all “Action Mike” on heavily armed mercenaries.
Bad Boys: Ride or Diebecomes a family affair, further parallelingFast and Furiousframeworks.Paola Núñez,Alexander Ludwig, andVanessa Hudgensall return as their AMMO operative allies, plusJacob Scipioas Lowrey’s converted cartel assassin son Armando Aretas, not to mention all of the actual family connections from prior installments. There’s hardly enough screentime to flesh out meaningful arcs beyond what’s already been introduced—Ludwig as the gentle therapy advocate, for example—especially with newcomers played byIoan GruffuddandRhea Seehorn. The film has trouble differentiating between important characters and throwaways, which steals value away from those who could do with meatier arcs. Instead, the Rolodex of character inclusions keeps spinning, hence whyTiffany Haddishis tossed into a strip club orDJ Khaledreappears.
Bremner and Beall attempt to reckon with too much blowback in a single film, fighting the weight of the franchise to this point. Lowrey still hasn’t forgiven himself for Captain Howard’s death, Burnett suffers a spiritual awakening complete with recurring reincarnation themes, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.There’s so freakin’ much packed intoBad Boys: Ride or Diethat it’s nearly impossible to handle every subplot eloquently. Someone like Captain Howard’s daughter is left grasping at emotional connections that never stick. The father-son talks, the unexpected romances, the text messages from the grave—it’s all overwhelming for an action franchise known for stylish shootouts and unrivaled sass.
On that level, Adil & Bilall deliver the goods.They’ve perfected theirMichael Bayimpressions, injecting adrenalized energies à laPain & GainintoBad Boysgunplay. CinematographerRobrecht Heyvaertcaptures the coolness overdrive of action sequences in neon-rave Meow Wolf-like art galleries or abandoned alligator theme parks. Explosions radiate heat off the screen, the camera whips from badass hero poses to first-person weapon modes with surprising crispness, and clean tracking uplifts sharp choreography as, let’s say, Armando defends himself with makeshift gym equipment weapons from tooled-up prisoners trying to off him during outdoor hours. Adil & Bilall have a blast playing around in a world whereDennis Greene’s all-grown-up Reggie McDonald proves himself to Burnett by going brutally commando on home invaders, or Chekhov’s 16-foot albino alligator gets the last laugh.
That’s what’s important, after all.Bad Boys: Ride or Diemight explore too many plotlines or bolt between too many characters, butbrains-free enjoyment reigns supreme. Adil & Bilall hardly lose tempo, speeding through storytelling filler toward the next bulletstorm. Smith and Lawrence never stop cracking zingers, keeping us rooting for their eventual victory dance. What works reminds us why we love going to the movies, and what doesn’t shuffles out of frame before too much damage is done.Bad Boys: Ride or Dieswerves expectations and socks us with another worthy sequel, one that shouldn’t work as well as it does, but hey, tell that to the big stupid grin on your face after the movie’s over.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a film that does so much right, it may even do Michael Bay better than Michael Bay.
Bad Boys: Ride or Dieis now available to stream on VOD in the U.S.
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