Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a 2024 action comedy directed by Adil & Bilall (Bad Boys for Life), from a screenplay by Chris Bremner and based on characters created by George Gallo. The film is produced by Columbia Pictures in association with 2.0 Entertainment, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Westbrook Studios, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. It is the sequel to Bad Boys for Life (2020) and the fourth installment in the Bad Boys franchise.
When their late police captain gets linked to drug cartels, wisecracking Miami cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett embark on a dangerous mission to clear his name.
The cast includes Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, Tiffany Haddish, and Joe Pantoliano.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die made its debut in theaters June 7th, courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
I have been a big fan of the Bad Boys films from the beginning, and to be honest it is hard to believe that the original film first hit theaters way back in 1995. Now that is one hell of a run considering that the franchise is not only still going, but it still has a full head of steam and the same appeal it had back then.
Martin Lawrence and Will Smith, now 59 and 55 respectively, were in their mid-to-late 20’s when the first movie came out, and most people were blaring Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise from their car speakers. Just stop and reminiscent about that for a moment, feels like a different world right? That’s because it was, the good old days before the obsession with cell phones and social media. So here we are almost 30 years later and the Bad Boys are back, was it worth the wait?
Bad Boys: Ride or Die was absolutely fantastic and precisely the movie that fans of this long running franchise were hoping for. The Bad Boys films have always had a certain style and feel to them as they were able to blend top-tier action sequences with laugh-out-loud humor, and they have done it yet again. Martin Lawrence and Will Smith don’t miss a beat reprising their roles as Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowery.
The detectives version of the odd couple have incredible on-screen chemistry, which is one of the main reasons why this franchise has been so successful. Bad Boys: Ride or Die had me laughing out loud more times than I can count, but more than that it transported me back to the good old days of cinema. Nothing makes me happier than when a film can fill me with nostalgia while putting a permanent smile on my face, and this movie accomplished that and then some. From the opening scene this just felt like a Bad Boys movie, and boy was it a fun ride.
In my opinion the Bad Boys films super power is the talented and charismatic cast, but the writing and the world they have been able to create over the years is what helps to bring these films to life. These movies are without a doubt action comedies at their core, but they also have a feel-good element to them which is built on the relationship between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
These two actors have been able to bring a certain level of authenticity to their characters allowing them the ability to stand the test of time, and I have genuinely enjoyed watching their relationship blossom into something meaningful with a ton of laughs along the way. Although Smith and Lawrence undoubtedly steal the show, the supporting cast was fantastic as well. Eric Dane deserves a ton of credit for playing a very badass and easy to hate villain. He was a formidable foe adding a ton of value to the film in terms of intensity and thrill factor.
Lowkey one of my favorite characters is Reggie, played by actor Dennis Greene. Reggie is introduced in Bad Boys II, just a teenager at the time, as the love interest for the daughter of Marcus Burnett. He returned in Bad Boys for Life in a minimal role, but he finally gets his due in Bad Boys: Ride or Die as his character is involved in a few of my favorite scenes, including the closing scene which had me smiling ear-to-ear. According to Greene’s filmography his only roles have come in the three Bad Boys films, but I hope that this performance puts gets his name out there.
Other notable performances in supporting roles were delivered by Alexander Ludwig, Vanessa Hudgens, Rhea Seehorn, Tiffany Haddish, Tasha Smith, DJ Khaled, Joe Pantoliano, and Ioan Gruffudd. Each character brought a unique element to the film making for a very well rounded cast that took full advantage of every opportunity..
What also impressed me was how the writers were able to really make Bad Boys: Ride or Die a culmination of the first three films as everything Lowery and Burnett knew to be true came into question. I did not re-watch the first three films prior to making my way to the theater, but I wish I had because the story does a fantastic job of going as far back as the original film in terms of the layers of the overall story.
I’m not saying you absolutely have to do that but it will surely help to make the experience that much better. I thought the story was great with plenty of intrigue and lots of great action, and although they could easily end things with this movie they did leave the door open for the possibility of a 5th film.
The Bad Boys franchise is known for the chemistry and charisma of the leading men, but it is also known for a stylish and unique approach to the action sequences and Bad Boys: Ride or Die keeps that trend going. The film includes several great action sequences, each with a very cool twist to them, including some awesome slow-motion sequences.
At one point it is raining candy and juice as Marcus ducks for cover thanks to a barrage of gunfire and he decides it is a good idea to try and catch some in his mouth because well, he has a problem with sweets. This particular scene was edge-of-your-seat action but was also hilarious and great example of the identity of the Bad Boys films. They give you plenty of intense action and engaging story but at the end of the day entertainment value is the top priority.
THE VERDICT
A fast-paced and laugh-out-loud hilarious action comedy bursting with nearly 30 years of nostalgia, Bad Boys: Ride or Die continues the tried-and-true formula making for a theater experience well worth the price of admission. I swear these movies just never get old, and even the original 1995 film holds up today surprisingly well. I don’t know if we will get another movie or not, but if the Bad Boys decide to grace the big-screen again I will be there.
TED TAKES RATING - 7.8/10
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.