MOVIE REVIEW! - 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die'

'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' (2024)

WARNING: I try not to spoil too many things in a new movie, but I have to cover what the movie is about to a certain extent. So, just in case, consider this a spoiler warning. If you don’t want to know absolutely anything, then turn back now. If you don’t care, then read on and I hope you enjoy the review!

The bad boys known as Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are back for a fourth high-octane action comedy in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”. This time, deceased police captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is being framed for police corruption by an undercover drug smuggling operation.

They not only frame Howard, but they are trying to track down all the files Howard had on them when he was trying to reveal the organization in order to take them down. When the bad guys try to break into Howard’s computer, an automatic message is sent out to Mike and Marcus with the captain requesting that they finish what he couldn’t when he was alive.

One person who could help discover the identity of the big man behind the criminal organization is Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio), Mike’s son and the man who killed Captain Howard in the previous movie. While transferring Armando to a safe location, they are ambushed and branded as fugitives from the law.

So, not only do Mike and Marcus have to clear Howard’s name, they also have to outrun various law enforcement agencies. This includes avoiding the U.S. Marshal Judy Howard (Rhea Seehorn), Captain Howard’s daughter who also wants revenge against Aretas.

Once again, Marcus and Mike prepare to take on the bad guys in 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die'!

Now, that may seem like I’m giving a lot away, but trust me when I say that there is plenty more where that came from. If you enjoyed the previous three films in this long-running series, then you’ll find a lot to enjoy here. I think it was as entertaining as “Bad Boys for Life” and both of them are close to the original classic that started this franchise 29 years ago.

The first and most important thing to return is the undeniable chemistry between Smith and Lawrence as Mike and Marcus. As usual, Smith plays the straight man to Lawrence but not without having some great comedy moments as well. Maybe not every joke lands and Marcus does admittedly have an absurd subplot, but somehow Lawrence makes it work for the most part.

The next thing that came back in full force is the well choreographed action sequences. Directors Adil & Bilall (returning from “Bad Boys for Life”) also come up with action shots that I’ve never seen in an action film and that helps bring a fresh take to the movie’s huge set pieces.

There is a great action scene that I can’t go into detail here but it is a standout that I think almost steals the show. Then there are the third act action sequences which live up to why this series is still loved by so many action fans. Adil & Bilall pull out all the tricks throughout this movie including innovative transition shots, drone shots, and yes, even the famous slow motion turn around Mike and Marcus as they realize that things just got real.

It’s a rare thing when a fourth film in a series actually works. Most of the time, the fourth movie just proves that the series has run its course and out of ideas. Thankfully, this is not the case for “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”.

The boys still have it and I would not mind if Smith and Lawrence are willing to return for a fifth outing. Considering the opening weekend box office for this movie, that may very well be a possibility. In the meantime, I’m just happy that I got to enjoy a great summer blockbuster at the theaters.