“You’re my bad boys. Now clear my name.”
Slipping back into their roles as Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett must be as easy as slipping on their favorite jacket for Will Smith and Martin Lawrence at this point. Their chemistry has been what has sustained this nearly thirty-year franchise, and they continue the trend with the latest installment, Bad Boys: Ride or Die. If this is to be the final addition in the franchise, I would be more than satisfied, and Ride or Die would be a very good high note to go out on in my opinion, as it offers a measure of catharsis for both characters. Not to mention paying homage to an O.G. character who was tragically killed (I’m still upset about it) in the previous film. Naturally Smith and Lawrence are the returning vets for the series, but there are also a few other returning faces, such as Paola Nunez, Jacob Scipio, Vanessa Hudgens, and Alex Ludwig, who were introduced in the last film. However, that’s not all, as the film demonstrates excellent character continuity by including characters introduced in the first movie. Characters like Dennis Greene as Reggie, and even better, a surprise cameo from a very tall former criminal that dates to the original film. You’ll know him when you see him. Unfortunately, Theresa Randle (who played Marcus’ wife in the other installments) does not return, due to what I’ve been led to believe were medical concerns. Wishing her a full recovery. Meanwhile, Tasha Smith graciously steps into the role.
Picking up where the previous film left off, Mike and Marcus remain in the employ of the Miami Dade Police. However, due to Captain Howard’s murder at the hands of Mike’s, now revealed, son, the duo work under Captain Rita Secada’s (Nunez) unit AMMO alongside Kelly (Hudgens) and Dorn (Ludwig). The duo is experiencing a period of normality, even with Mike appearing to finally be settling down. But when their former captain is implicated in corruption, Mike and Marcus are determined to move heaven and earth to clear his name.
However, while working to clear Captain Howard’s name from posthumously being accused of being involved with drug cartels, Mike and Marcus are up against a very connected group of powerful figures and so find themselves on the run, and forced to turn to a unlikely ally: Armando Aretas, Mike’s son and Captain Howard’s killer.
What you can always rely on a Bad Boys movie to deliver on is action. This time the film ups the ante by implementing a new style, that of a first-person shooter video, giving the audience the immersive feel of being right in the action. I really enjoyed this style, and I found myself moving in my seat like I was backing up Will and Martin. I also highly recommend seeing the film in IMAX, so you can fully appreciate the technique.
As expected, Will and Martin are in rare form, with their chemistry and dynamic on display from the opening scene, which is reminiscent of the previous films as Martin finds himself in the middle convenience store robbery. This wrong place/wrong time scene is right in the actor’s wheelhouse as he and Will deploy their patented distraction tactic of arguing with one another before making quick work of the robber. It also sets the tone for what the film is intended to be, a hilarious, fun action film. Adding to the fun are the Easter eggs, another of which features the director of the first two Bad Boys films in a black 1980s-vintage Porsche 911 Turbo, the same car Mike Lowrey drove in the first film.
Story-wise, I’d say this was probably my favorite plot since the first one. If I had to rank it, I’d put it second, right under the first film, just a hair above Bad Boys For Life. I like how they keep the spirit of Captain Howard alive in this film in more ways than one. It demonstrated the impact that he had on both characters and how important the character has been to the overall franchise. Building on Howard’s presence, the film also introduces a subplot involving an individual seeking revenge for his death, which inevitably leads to a collision course between this person and Armando. Speaking of Armando, this film serves as a bit of a redemption story. When we last saw him, he turned against his mother, who concealed his identity from him as well as his father and honed him into her perfect weapon. This time out is forced to face the things he’s done, and he struggles under its weight, as he should, thereby giving the film some authenticity. Even so, I would have liked to have seen a little more angst before receiving redemption. After all, he killed Captain Howard.
I could speak about character development for paragraphs and paragraphs, as both Martin and Will, more so Will, are also forced to confront some things and feelings that their characters try to bury. This causes him some strife, and it’s not until he is on the receiving of a slap that he starts to fully confront his true feelings. There is still one character that I have to mention because in this film he was given a platform to shine, and he most certainly did. In an unexpected action sequence, a character who was likely only intended to serve as comic relief in the second film delivered one of my favorite sequences of the film.
This is the clear favorite to win the box office this weekend, and just to hedge my bet, I fully intend to go see it again and laugh all over again. As I said, I’m not sure if this will be the last one in the franchise, but if it is, I have no problem saying that they provide the audience with a proper conclusion and that they are going out on a high note.
