For starters, I’d like to say they missed the opportunity to call this Bad Boys 4 Life, considering it’s the fourth film in the cop buddy franchise. That would have been a very cool name, a clever pun indeed.
As it nears its 30th anniversary, the Bad Boys franchise has remarkably aged like fine wine, becoming more captivating with each new film. Bad Boys: Ride or Die, arriving in theaters over 29 years after the 1995 original, showcases the enduring appeal of the series. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have masterfully revitalized the franchise, proving its impressive staying power and continual improvement.
The Return Of The Bad Boys
The Bad Boys are back! This installment revolves around the fourth mission of the cop duo, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. It delivers on all the basic expectations for popcorn entertainment: directed with bold flair, it includes frequent shots of cars blowing up, wide-angle views of glimmering and indulgent Miami. Personally, I’m a big fan of whatever Will Smith is in. I’ve made sure to catch all the sequels on the big screen ever since, so once this one came out, I rushed to the cinema to see it. Admittedly, I wasn’t initially enticed by the marketing clips, but I took a risk on the franchise.
Was this the best movie I’ve seen in cinemas this year? No, the title belongs to Dune: Part Two, which excelled in every aspect. However, I must admit that I haven’t enjoyed any other 2024 film in theaters as much as I did with the latest installment in the franchise. Perhaps it was the enthusiasm of the fans, or possibly it was the perfect blend of humor and action the movie delivered. Regardless, it was an experience I won’t soon forget, and I’m really glad I watched it on the big screen instead of waiting for it to hit Netflix or another streaming service. That IMAX feeling cannot be replaced.
A Nostalgic Joyride
Seeing Mike Lowrey(Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett(Martin Lawrence) bond as maverick cops in Miami once again hit a stroke of nostalgia I didn’t know I had in me. It felt so damn good! Sure, they’re older than when we first fell in love with the duo years ago, but we’ve aged too, so let’s spare them that critique. I would say the change in screenwriters added to the fresh feel and the balance in humor and action.
If you’ve never seen any of the films in the franchise, here’s how I’d describe this film to you: Bad Boys: Ride or Die is an adrenaline-pumping, laughter-filled homage that pleasantly surprised me. Smith and Lawrence’s chemistry remains electric, the action sequences are gripping, and the balance between heartfelt moments and exaggerated drama complements the fast-paced humor and witty exchanges. Although the storyline lacks innovation and the initial pacing feels a bit rough, once the film gains momentum, it races ahead with exhilarating energy. It would help to watch part 3 first; the supporting characters didn’t really add much, and the villain’s motivation was muddy.
Adrenaline-Pumping Action
One of my favorite aspects of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die is its unique spin in the action department. The camera tricks in this film are a step ahead of the other parts. The movie had the look and feel of a video game, let’s say GTA: Vice City. The grand scale of the action set pieces also enhanced the film’s impact. Before the film dropped, Will Smith shared a super cool behind-the-scenes clip where we saw how one of the gunfights was created. Seeing the BTS and seeing the film brought one thing into perspective: they took their time to make this film.
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It gave the film a larger-than-life feel. The action in the film is stellar, leaning towards practical, old-school effects rather than relying on digital green screen technology. It’s packed with explosive moments, daring stunts performed by real stuntmen, and intense gun battles. Instead of going over the top like Fast and Furious, it stays true to the style of classics like Bad Boys and Tango and Cash. Plus, there are plenty of cool and inventive camera shots sprinkled throughout, adding to the overall excitement and appeal of the action sequences.
Comic Relief at Its Finest
The comic relief in the film is just too good. Seeing as the duo are two of the funniest guys in Hollywood and even the characters in the film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, are funny as well, most of the jokes land well. It was full of one-liners, disses, and well-thought jokes. Mike kept on coming for Marcus, and I loved it. It was downright hilarious and properly articulated. Some of the jokes overlapped, so you’d be in a fit, and then you’d miss when another great joke dropped. It was weird, but the good kind of weird, I guess. Of the four films in the franchise, this is the shortest. Considering the attention span of this generation, this was a good call. The movie is short, straight to the point, and will grab your attention from start to finish. It was really nice to see Mike and Marcus singing “Bad Boys” while they had their heart-to-heart.
Box Office Success
I’m unsure if this is the last in the franchise, but I know for certain that it has reversed the 2024 terrible box office numbers. According to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), Bad Boys: Ride or Die made a total of ₦64,049,270 over the weekend (June 7 to June 9). “Columbia Pictures’ Bad Boys: Ride Or Die has brought some welcome fresh energy to a flat 2024 summer blockbuster season, with an estimated global opening of $104.6m – topping the chart domestically with $56.0m, and adding $48.6m in 60 international markets,” reports Screen Daily. For a franchise that is about 30 years old, these numbers are gold.
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