A One Mann’s Movies review of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” (2024).
It’s been four years and a notorious Oscar slapping incident since “Bad Boys for Life” came out. With “Bad Boys 4”, it’s as if they’d never been away. I know some of my movie reviewing friends really liked this one. Yes, it’s mindless fun. But, for me, we are in the realm of diminishing returns with this franchise.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
When their now deceased former Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is framed for corruption, Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) commit to clearing his name. But their intervention puts both the corrupt police organisation, the cartels, and (through a bounty) every bad-guy, and girl, in Miami out to get them.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong bloody violence, language, sex references”).
Talent:
Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Joe Pantoliano, Melanie Liburd, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Tiffany Haddish.
Directed by: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah.
Written by: Chris Bremner, Will Beall & George Gallo.
Twitter Handle: #BadBoys, #RideOrDie.
Running Time: 1h 55m.
Trump voters have a bit of a tete a tete with Mike and Marcus. (Source: Columbia Pictures).
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” Summary:
Positives:
- Some of the ludicrously high octane action scenes are very entertaining. (Top marks goes to the behind the scenes video of how this shoot out stuff was done).
- There are a number of laugh out loud scenes. And some of the banter between Mike and Marcus is funny, but….
Negatives:
- …some of this banter goes on and on to the point it becomes really tiresome.
- The film doesn’t remotely try to hide the “twist” in the film!
Review of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”:
Some great action scenes
These films do bloody action very well. The shoot-outs are intense and exciting, albeit again dropping bad guys ten-to-the-dozen while the good guys barely get a scratch! A behind-the-scenes video is doing the rounds on social media showing how some of these shoot-outs were filmed, with Will Smith acting as star and dynamic cameraman: it’s really very impressive. Here‘s the short from Youtube:
All of it is of course ridiculously overblown: last time we had a crashing helicopter joining the action… this time we have a crashing seaplane!
Banter to excess
As is familiar with this franchise, the movie is played for laughs through the banter between Mike and Marcus. Here, Marcus, after a (very well filmed) near-death experience has the view that he is invincible and much of the humour stems from this. The hit rate is mixed though. Some of the humour hits the mark but much of it fell flat. Often funny scenes were mined to death. For example, a scene where two ‘MAGA’ supporters accuse the pair of stealing their clothes starts on fine form with Marcus bang to rights in wearing a “Pure Bred White Boy” sweatshirt. But then a joke about the pair trying to recall any Reba McEntire song goes on and on in an increasingly unfunny way.
You’ll never guess!
As is common in most “police corruption” films, there is a “twist” as the kingpin of the operation is finally revealed. But for this film, if you haven’t worked out who that kingpin is within the first 5 minutes of the film I’d be disappointed in you. The character might as well have just broken the 4th wall and winked at the audience!
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Summary Thoughts on “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”
As a popcorn action film, it’s eminently watchable. But it doesn’t feel much different from the last film and I felt it was trying too hard with its comedy. Not one I will easily be able to recall in a few months time.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRFY_Fesa9Q .
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