Bad Boys: Ride or Die REVIEW: Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s bromance has magic but lacks in the action department

Director: Adil & Bilall

Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Rhea Seehorn, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Joe Pantoliano

Runtime: 115 minutes (1 hour, 55 minutes)

Platform: In theatres

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Review

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is set a couple of years after the events of Bad Boys for Life and sees detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) investigate corruption within the Miami PD. They decide to get on-field and remove the moles in the department after their boss, Late Captain Conrad Howard is posthumously accused of being involved with the Romanian Mafia. Noticing that it’s a setup from the get-go, the Miami cops are forced to step out of the system to exonerate him. This sees the duo going from cops to fugitives.

Will they be able to clear Captain Howard’s name? Who is the mole and why are they tarnishing the Late Captain’s legacy? What obstacles will Mike and Marcus face as they battle health issues – Martin’s character suffers a near-fatal attack at Mike’s wedding and Will’s character suffers panic attacks he doesn’t want to acknowledge, on their quest to clear their former boss’ name. Read our Bad Boys: Ride or Die review to know if it’s worth a watch.

What’s Work

The biggest positive of Bad Boys: Ride or Die is Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s bromance. The rapport that the duo have shared since the first Bad Boys movie in 1995 has only matured and is as real as any friendship can get. From taking digs at each other to providing emotional support where needed, the Miami cops are there for each other and their families.

What Doesn’t Work

This film franchise got as much notice for its comedy as it did for its action. While the comedy is still there, the action has taken kind-of a back seat owing to the characters (and actors) advancing ages. A little more action would have made it a wholesome watch.

Star Performances

Will Smith as Detective Lieutenant Michael Eugene Lowrey, aka Mike, and Martin Lawrence as Detective Lieutenant Marcus Miles Burnett are entertaining as always. The duo have successfully managed to bring to screen the maturity anyone would expect in a friendship – more like a brotherhood, spanning decades. Be it their dialogue delivery or action (even if we expected more), the duo have given their 100% and it’s visible.

The chemistry between Will and Martin helps make the interactions between Mike and Marcus more believable. It’s entertaining as always to see the bad boys work their (a little lacklustre) magic on screen.

Vanessa Hudgens as Kelly and Alexander Ludwig as Dorn – the weapon and tech experts of AMMO, respectively, deliver acceptable performances from showing off their moves while in action to sharing a crackling chemistry, they are believable. Paola Núñez as Captain Rita Secada – the head of Miami Police unit AMMO and Mike’s ex-girlfriend, has found a new romance and it’s nice to see the romantic side of her. However, her kick*ss side is equally noticeable.

Jacob Scipio, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Melanie Liburd, Joe Pantoliano, and other deliver believable performances as their respective characters.

Conclusion

If you’ve loved the earlier Bad Boys films do watch this instalment too. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will make you laugh your heart out and get nostalgic as they recreate the magic Mike and Marcus’ bromance has always had. Hope our Bad Boys: Ride or Die review was a help.

Watch the trailer of Bad Boys: Ride or Die here:

Also Read: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga REVIEW: Anya Taylor-Joy brings to life the story of survival and defiance with perfection; Chris Hemsworth is a menace