Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. In Theaters Nationwide June 7th, 2024
This past week, I embarked on a journey through the Bad Boys franchise, re-watching the first two movies and experiencing the third installment, Bad Boys for Life, for the first time. It had been years since I'd seen the originals, and I was reminded of just how much fun these films are. Despite their issues (let's not delve too deeply into the overlong third act of Bad Boys II), the movies deliver on their promise of high-energy action and humor, largely thanks to the undeniable chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free): Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth installment in the franchise, continues this trend with even more over-the-top action sequences and the familiar humor between the leads. Yet, it also manages to introduce fresh elements to the ongoing story, making it a worthy addition to the series.
What I Enjoyed:
- Innovative Cinematography: The film features fresh new cinematic camera angles, including some POV shots during gunfights, a first for the franchise.
- Character Aging Realism: It doesn't shy away from addressing the fact that the characters are aging. They deal with issues like health conditions and anxiety, acknowledging that they won't live forever.
- Supporting Characters: The movie allows other characters to shine, delivering some surprising sequences from unexpected characters.
- Nostalgic Ties: The film does a great job of incorporating elements from previous movies, creating a cohesive storyline that ties the franchise together and blends in nostalgia seamlessly.
Critiques:
- Forced Story Elements: Some story elements felt very forced, seemingly to raise the stakes for one of the lead characters. These either needed more development or could have been omitted entirely.
- Recasting Issues: The recasting of a past character felt jarring and somewhat disrupted the continuity for me.
Overall Impression: Bad Boys: Ride or Die delivers exactly what a Bad Boys movie should: fun, excitement, humor, and a sense of family. It's a thrilling ride that stays true to the spirit of the franchise while adding new layers to its ongoing narrative. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, this film is sure to entertain.
