By: Kimberly Grant
Twenty-nine years later, the Bad Boys are back for the fourth installment of the franchise that teamed up Will Smith as Mike Lowrey and Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die will be in theaters starting June 7.
Fan Boys
If you’re a fan of the Bad Boys franchise, then this film will not disappoint. It’s about Mike and Marcus, albeit a little older, working together to bicker and shoot their way to justice. In Ride or Die, their favorite captain, the late Captain Howard (played by Joe Pantoliano), has been framed as a dirty cop. Mike and Marcus aren’t going to let their Cap’s name be dragged in the mud, so they work together to find clues that point to the real dirty cop.
Along the way, Mike gets married and Marcus has a near-death experience (think: when T’Challa first drank the purple flower and saw his dad). Bad Boys for Life, this particular Bad Boys film, is not directed by Michael Bay; although he does make a cameo. This time around, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah sit in the directors’ chairs once again. El Arbi and Fallah’s previous credits include episodes of Disney+’s Ms. Marvel and FX’s Snowfall. In the directing category, this film feels like another Bad Boys film.
In the writing category, Chris Bremner, Will Beall, and George Gallo (who created the characters) have written a story that feels thin. I get it. The reason people are seeing the movie is not for the plot. They want the action, the comedic banter between Smith and Lawrence, great Miami landscapes, and eye candy. So, the writers get a gold star for staying on brand. Where they miss the mark is in the plot. It’s thin. I could guess the villain from the first time the character is on the screen. So, if you like a complex or even a deep plot, Bad Boys isn’t it. It’s more of a popcorn movie than anything with much substance.
Packed With Star Power
Smith and Lawrence easily fall into character with this fourth installment. Vanessa Hudgens returns as Kelly, who is still a badass with a feminine side. Eric Dane plays a character named James McGrath. Dane smolders, as usual, and serves as great eye candy. I just wish he would play a protagonist every now and then. Reba McEntire makes a special appearance in the movie in an unexpected way.
Ioan Gruffudd plays Mayor Lockwood. When I first saw him on screen, I wished he’d been played by a female. Miami-Dade County’s current mayor is a woman and it would have been nice to see that reflected on the big screen for a film that is synonymous with Miami. Tasha Smith plays Marcus’ wife, Theresa. She and Lawrence don’t have much chemistry, so her casting was a head scratcher. Then again, I like Tasha Smith in anything she does, so I still enjoyed seeing her on the screen. Actually, I would have preferred to see her as the mayor.
Tiffany Haddish makes a cameo as Tabitha. Likewise, DJ Khaled makes an appearance as Manny, out for revenge against Mike. And, John Salley plays Fletcher. Tasha Smith, Haddish, Khaled, and Salley were clearly cast to be funny. Once again, when you watch this movie, they will make you laugh. Just don’t look for more substance than that.
Rounding out the cast are some fan favorites and additions. Paola Nuñez returns as Rita who still has bad taste in men. Melanie Liburd plays Mike’s new wife, Christine. She also represents a missed opportunity in showing Liburd’s potential to portray a stronger character. Jacob Scipio returns as Mike’s son. Scipio’s character may be the villain, but there’s more to the character and his storyline feels like another missed opportunity.
Popcorn Fare
Like most people, I do love a good action comedy. Bad Boys: Ride or Die is one of those movies. My issue is that it’s just that. There are some things to be desired with the plot. There’s not enough meat to make it memorable. That said, Bad Boys films will always be enjoyable, as long as you don’t want it to be anything more than just a popcorn movie.
You can read more movie reviews by K. A. Grant on her Entertainment Blog.
