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Bad Boys: Ride or Die Review :(2024) A Return to the Explosive Action and Hilarious Comedy
In “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth film in the popular “Bad Boys” franchise, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return to light up the big screen. With Miami police officers Mike Lowry (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) going through a maze of corruption to clear the record of their former captain, this newest chapter promises to be the action-packed summer blockbuster. Fans of the series will expect high-octane action and belly-laugh-inducing comedy from the picture, but can it analyze up to the hype around its predecessors? Let’s examine “Ride or Die” in the context of the “Bad Boys” franchise’s history.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Director: Adil & Billal
Run Time: 1 Hour 55 Min
Genres: buddy cop action comedy film
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Before this, let us know a little about the last 3 movies of this franchise:
Bad Boys (1995):
We were first introduced to the powerful team of Miami narcotics cops Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett in Michael Bay’s “Bad Boys” film. The $100 million worth of cocaine that is stolen from a police vault is the main story point. Julie Mott (Téa Leoni), a crucial witness who can identify the criminals, must be secured by the two in order to recover the narcotics and arrest the culprits. The film is renowned for its funny banter, dramatic action scenes, and the obvious relationship between Smith and Lawrence. With almost $140 million in global box office receipts, it set the tone and style for the series.
Bad Boys II (2003):
For “Bad Boys II,” a sequel that took the action and spectacle to new heights, Bay reunite with Smith and Lawrence after eight years. This time, Mike and Marcus are looking into the cocaine supply coming into Miami, which leads them to a violent drug lord in Cuba. The movie is well known for its fantastic car chases, exciting gunfights, and a haunting sequence that takes place in a morgue. Although several reviews criticized the sequel for being too long and having too much action, it was a commercial success, grossing $273 million worldwide. “Bad Boys II” hold the franchise’s position as a source of action packed with irreverent comedy.
Bad Boys for Life (2020):
“Bad Boys for Life” returned to cinemas after a 17-year break under the direction of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. In the movie, Mike and Marcus are at a turning point in both their personal and professional life. Marcus is thinking about retiring, and Mike is the target of a mysterious killer who has connections to his past. Along with providing the thrilling action fans have come to believe the movie goes deeper into the relationships and personal development of the characters. “Bad Boys for Life” became the highest-grossing installment in the series after being a global $426 million box office blockbuster and critical and commercial success simultaneously. The franchise was successfully brought back to life, showing that Mike and Marcus had plenty of life left in them.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
In “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” Joe Pantoliano’s character, the former captain, and Smith and Lawrence reprise their famous roles, but this time, they are dealing with a personal crisis as a result of the character’s involvement in a significant corruption scandal. Mike and Marcus are thrown into a quest to clean their captain’s record and bring respect back to the Miami Police Department as the movie starts with an unexpected turn of events.
You could find yourself thinking if you should take the story seriously after the opening scenes. Despite being grounded but ridiculous, some of the graphics in this action-comedy appear disconnected. Though the first setup seems unintentionally odd, Lawrence’s Marcus has an experience that shapes his actions for the remainder of the film, providing levels of hilarity. But after this strange moment, the movie jumps right into nonstop, thrilling action and comedy.
Action and Comedy
There are plenty of heart-pounding scenes throughout the film. The action never stops, including aggressive gunfights to foot chases through dangerous situations. A thrilling drone sequence and an unexpected floating scene keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The situations are exaggerated to the extreme, but it adds to their attraction. The film’s pacing strikes a balance between rapid action sequences and short breaks, giving audiences a chance to recover their breath before the next spectacular set piece.
It is necessary to give up faith in order to enjoy “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” Even though the stunts are so silly, they are very entertaining. Gunfights break logic by giving the protagonists what seems like infinite ammo while their rivals are unable to strike their target—a stereotype that heightens the sense of escape. This is a film for individuals who want to watch the good guys accomplish incredible things in the face of huge challenges, not for those who are interested in a rich narrative or well-developed characters. The audience cheered and applauded after one particularly amazing moment. It’s a scene that perfectly captures the franchise’s ability to offer jaw-dropping action without giving away the surprise.
The Characters:
The appealing character of Will Smith’s Mike Lowry remains, with his lavish, intellectual, and highly talented manner striking a perfect contrast with Martin Lawrence’s more relaxed portrayal of Marcus Burnett. The two stars’ interaction is just as entertaining as it was in their previous movie. With the help of his usual comic timing, Lawrence turns Marcus into a charming idiot who is easily likable. Both characters are shown to be weak despite their humorous outsides which gives their apparently larger-than-life personas a greater depth.
Villains and Plot:
The villains in the movie are its main source of weakness. They lack the complexity or threatening quality that could endear them; instead, they are basic. The antagonist’s name is eventually revealed, which doesn’t really advance the plot. Still, the overall enjoyment is not significantly impacted by the plot’s simplicity. The action moments have just the right amount of a reason from the simple plot.
Cinematography:
The majority of the camera work and cinematography are superb, producing stunning and dramatic views that keep the movie moving quickly. However, certain action sequences have extremely unstable camera work and fast editing, which makes it hard to enjoy the choreography. Luckily, these are few and don’t drastically reduce the watching pleasure.
Themes:
In spite of the dramatic action, the main themes of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” are loyalty and family. The families of Marcus and Mike, while not given much screen time, are crucial to the characters’ motivation and emotional depth. The movie looks at many aspects of their characters and shows they are human beings who fall below their heroic the outside.
Final Thoughts:
The film “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” meets its expectations of wild humor and wild action. The charm and timing of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are on full display, preserving the friendship that has carried the franchise so far. Despite having typical opponents and an easy-to-follow narrative, the movie succeeds in giving viewers a thrilling and exciting experience. It’s the ideal summer popcorn film, providing endless enjoyment. Both beginners and fans of the series will find something to love. While it might not be required, the film is an exciting continuation of the “Bad Boys” story.
Are you a fan of the “Bad Boys” franchise? Do you have a favorite film in the series? Let me know in the comments below. If you enjoyed this review.
