Rating: 2 out of 4
Running Time: 115 minutes
This feature from Sony Pictures is now in theaters.
It has been 29 years since the original Bad Boys arrived at theaters. The $19 million dollar action picture didn’t fare particularly well with critics of the day, but audiences turned the movie into a box office hit. This reviewer didn’t mind the first movie’s frantic energy, but hasn’t been as enamored with the follow-ups.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the fourth title in the series. This loud effort essentially delivers more of the same and there is barely a moment when the characters aren’t shooting or shouting at each other.
Audiences should be warned that this film is closely connected to the previous installments released in 2003 and 2020. In the first sequel, lieutenants Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) took down a drug cartel kingpin. In the recent follow-up, the criminal’s widow ordered her son, Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio), to assassinate those who stopped his father. For those who have forgotten, a subplot reveals that Armando is actually the son of Mike. Anyway, over the course of events the heroes’ mentor Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is killed.
As this picture begins, investigators state they have evidence suggesting the captain was actually involved with these drug dealers. Mike and Marcus refuse to believe it and discover that Armando was instead hired by crooked parties within the police force. The protagonists are framed for murder and go on the lam with Armando. They attempt to prove their innocence while avoiding cops, as well as gangs after a bounty is placed on their heads.
The pacing is rapid, which is a wise decision as little of what is going on holds up to any scrutiny. Obviously, the change to what happened involving the captain is a stretch. Yes, this adds a redemptive arc for the Armando character, but it strains the limits of believability. There could also have been intrigue adding familiar faces from the police force as suspects, but it’s plainly obvious who the sinister mastermind is to all viewers.
Disappointingly, henchman Banker (Eric Dane) has no previous association with the leads either. And when the bad guys send an all-points-bulletin to every gang saying they’ll pay millions to whomever wipes out Mike and Marcus, it’s hard to take the secret “conspiracy” seriously.
Yes, the leads are charismatic and there are elaborate shoot-outs using creative photography and elaborate camera moves. While the use of CGI is blatant, these exaggerated sequences are, at times, fun to watch. A dust-up on a helicopter and a finale involving crocodiles aren’t exactly suspenseful, but are eccentric enough to keep one’s attention. And although it is violent, there is an absurdly humorous scene featuring Marcus’ son-in-law Reggie (Dennis Greene) being unexpectedly called into action. The payoff at the end of the film raises a smile too, even if it makes for an odd final image.
Still, the picture is tonally jarring overall. It veers from comedic banter between the heroes (as bullet-riddled bodies fall around them), to melodrama when the pair find their loved ones in danger. This includes Mike’s relationship with his estranged son, which is played seriously one moment and then for quips moments later.
A major storyline involves Marcus suffering a heart attack. Instead of adding an element of danger for his well-being or concern from his family, the character soldiers on and leaps around as if nothing has occurred. In fact, this device is also played mostly for laughs, as the confused Marcus believes himself to be invincible.
As mentioned, the film moves like a bullet and the action is constant. That is, if you don’t get psychological whiplash from rapid shifts between over-the-top gags and deadly serious declarations about loyalty/love of family, or witnessing characters behave and react to deadly events in a completely preposterous manner. Perhaps this has been the style of previous installments, but this picture may even exhaust a portion of its fanbase.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die has a few enjoyable elements, but the entire package feels so choppy and fragmented that it may really be time for these characters to officially call it a day and retire.
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