BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE – A Review by John Strange
Detective Lieutenant Michael Eugene “Mike” Lowrey (Will Smith) and his partner Detective Lieutenant Marcus Miles Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are still on the job in Miami after almost 30 years (Bad Boys hit the screens in 1995).
The film opens on Mike’s wedding day with the boys racing to get to the ceremony, with Marcus giving Mike a good reason why they need to stop for a ginger ale. And we find action. And humor.
The wedding is wonderful. The celebration, even Marcus’ toast is great.
And then things start getting hairy. As always.
There is a threat that their previous boss, Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano), had been investigating on the QT. And it got him killed.
He didn’t want Mike and Marcus to get hurt because of this investigation. There is a deep-rooted rot in the Miami Police Department and some related agencies. That’s about to change because these boys are now on the job.
This is a Bad Boys sequel so certain things are a given. The banter between the guys is going to be funny and constant. The action scenes will be well choreographed and executed. Their compatriots will be interesting and able to fill in the gaps in the story/action.
In Bad Boys: Ride or Die their boss is Captain Rita Secada (Paola Nuñez), who happens to be one of Mike’s ex-girlfriends. And who just happens to be dating DA Lockwood (Ioan Gruffudd) who is running for mayor.
The partners are working with Kelly (Vanessa Hudgens) and Dorn (Alexander Ludwig), badasses in their own right. They are a kick to watch in the main battle scenes.
The bad guys are led by McGrath (Eric Dane). Eric has proven himself as an excellent actor and his portrayal of this ex-soldier is spot on.
Like the best of the Bad Boys sequels, Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a funny, violent movie that is worth the price of admission. The story is well written. The direction of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah is great. The fight choreography is wild and woolly. Plus, I love me some albino alligator!
One last note. Marcus’ son Reggie, now a US Marine, is a badass, too!
Director: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah
Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Joe Pantoliano
MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence, language throughout, and some sexual references)
Selig Rating: 5 Stars
Runtime: 115 Min.
Release Date: 06/07/2024
Language: English
Genre: Action/Comedy
Movie Site: BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE Official Site
Trailer: BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
