BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE (2024) MOVIE REVIEW
The fourth entry of the action comedy franchise keeps up the momentum of this surprisingly sturdy series, finding new ways to evolve the action and emotional arcs.
by Nate Lemann
Three decades and three films in, you could’ve been excused for writing off the latest entry in the “Bad Boys” franchise as Hollywood trying to cash in on the legacy sequel bandwagon. You also wouldn’t have been blamed to doubt the commercial viability of Will Smith following the "Slap”. However, you’d be wrong on both counts as directors Adil & Bilall (returning from “Bad Boys for Life”) imbue this sequel with enough humor and evolve the action, set pieces, and overall style, breathing fresh life into this franchise.
We open on Mike’s (Smith's) wedding to his nurse from the last movie. Marcus (Lawrence) is in rare form and an emotional wreck at the reception. Things turn quickly, as Marcus suffers a cardiac arrest. We are treated to the most spiritual and metaphysical sequence of the whole franchise as Marcus wonders around the afterlife. But Marcus’s time has not come…he’s yanked back to the land of the living with a new zen and crazy attitude. Giving Lawrence this new layer to play I think is one of the keys to the emotional arc of this film, while also adding a new comedic angle for the great comedian to play.
Once Marcus is back on duty, the Bad Boys are met with shocking news: proof has just been found that the late Captain Howard (an always great Joe Pantoliano) was dirty, working for the cartels. Mike and Marcus rightfully refuse to believe this absurd accusation. This kicks off the main story of the film as shadowy military figures (led by a terrifically scary Eric Dane) look to paint the Bad Boys as dirty too as they dig further into this case. What complicates matter further is that the key to breaking this conspiracy is Mike’s incarcerated love child/ruthless cartel hitman Armando (Jacob Scipio).
While the film does take a bit of time to get all the pieces in place and set up all the players, once the plot gets going, it does not slow down. The pace in the back half is brisk and the action sequences are kinetic and furious. Adil & Bilall are able to mimic first person shooter dynamics while never feeling overdone or taking you out of the emotional beats of the action. This has become a much more action-driven franchise than the original entry, which really rode on the curtails of the chemistry between the two stars.
The two still have a great dynamic but both men are not as wild or as animated as they were 30 years ago (though Lawrence is really going for it at times here). It is still the emotional core of this film and the quieter moments wouldn’t work without these two stars operating simpatico. All these years later, these Bad Boys still got it going.
Oh...and Reggie can kick some serious ass!
FINAL RATING: 3.5/5 Stars (Very solid and fun action comedy)
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