The fourth entry in a franchise that has spanned 3 decades, Bad Boys Ride or Die still delivers the goods. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are as sharp as ever in this high-energy, big laughs spectacle that delivers a good freaking time.  

Bad Boys Ride or Die Review

Long before The Rock and Kevin Hart were a mainstream duo, there was Bad Boys. In 1995, Michael Bay introduced the world to the comedic power that comes from putting Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the same film. These best friends spend their time cleaning up the streets of Miami and bickering like an old married couple. Not surprisingly, almost 30 years later (ouch), this franchise still has what it takes to deliver one helluva ride. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah return to the streets of Magic City to deliver a high-octane, outrageously funny, and ridiculously enjoyable sequel to Bad Boys for Life. 

Bad Boys: Ride or Die proves that just because a franchise has been around for a longtime doesn't mean it has to become boring. A few years after Bad Boys for Life, Detectives Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) and Mike Lowery (Smith) are dealing with middle age and life changes. Mike has finally settled down while Marcus gets a new outlook on life after a medical emergency. But it isn't long until they are pulled into some over-the-top police business when their late mentor Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano, reprising his role via pre recorded videos) is accused of collusion with drug cartels. Mike and Marcus know he is being framed and refuse to allow his name to be tarnished. Soon the two partners are on the lam as they race to find evidence that will clear the late Captain's name before they end up dead at the hands of the calculating McGrath (Eric Dane). 

By drawing inspiration from video games (particularly first-person shooters) and anime, Adil and Bilall bring a kinetic energy to the screen, injecting the action directly into the audience's veins. Coming in just shy of two hours, the directors, utilizing Smith and Lawrence's verbal sparring speed with some clever camerawork, keep the pace moving right along. Drone shots capture the fight choreography and action in a way that feels like a roller coaster POV. Will Smith recently released a behind the scene video of how a particularly kinetic sequence was filmed and if you thought that was impressive wait until you see it unfold during the actual film. 

Their camera movement is wild (credit should also go to cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert), moving in a way that keeps you rooted in the action. It doesn't matter if Marcus and Mike are free falling in a plane, running down the highway, or fighting for their lives in an art exhibit, the camera is constantly in motion with them. Adil and Bilall give most of the supporting cast their own moments but the highlights there are Armando's (Jacob Scipio) prison fight and Reggie's (Dennis Greene) big moment which I won't spoil but honestly might have been my favorite part of the whole film. All of that said, it just reignites the frustration that the director's Batgirl never will see daylight thanks to poor decisions by Zaslav. 

Bad Boys has always been an action-comedy, but that doesn't mean it lacks heart. Mike and Marcus' relationship has always provided the emotional core, the grounding when everything around them continues to get more bombastic as the years go on. Ride or Die knows this and despite its quick pacing leaves space for these more tender moments. Smith is once again the dramatic rock, this time preoccupied with his complicated situation with Armando and the fact that he seems to lose everyone he loves. While Lawrence gets to let loose more with Marcus who believes he can't be killed. But the two still trade insults and curse words as they go about their mission.

Even amongst death, panic attacks, and hungry gators, these two never miss a step. Even when things escalate to the point of being unbelievable, their witty barbs, charm, and genuine chemistry are the glue for Bad Boys. Yes, it does feel like they are trying to outdo their previous entries but it never veers too far off course. They aren't turning a street car into a rocket ship after all. Some time is spent with their extended families– the work team of Rita (Paola Núñez), Kelly (Vanessa Hudgens) and Dorn (Alexander Ludwig) as well as Mike's new wife Christine (Melanie Liburd). The former gets more space to work and grow while Liburd does her best with what she is given. 

VERDICT

Bad Boys: Ride or Die proves that the franchise still has room to ride not to die. It's not perfect by any means, there are obvious plot points and sometimes the emotional moments feel too obvious but that doesn't detract from the fact this film is just plain summertime blockbuster fun. Adil and Bilall's style paired with the charisma of Smith and Lawrence deliver a high-energy, big laughs spectacle that delivers a good freaking time. What more could we want? Maybe a Bad Boys needle drop? Don't worry, that's in there too and you'll never guess who is singing it this time. 

Bad Boys: Ride or Die hits theaters on June 7. It is rated R for strong violence, language throughout and some sexual references with a runtime of 1 hour 55 minutes.