Review of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”: Will Smith returns to the movies without much brilliance

saga Bad guyYes, it was at least irregular. Moreover, the franchise, which released its first film in 1995 under the direction of Michael Bay, has never had a clear goal. How movie “Buddy Cop” that is, of course, all the energy of his script was focused on his detective partner. However, the various plots of its sequels were a combination of many things at once. The films of the saga have everything: from detective intrigue to a complete story of lost love.

Immediate heirs of the franchise Deadly weapon, the duo created by Mike Lowry (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), base their big-screen success on chemistry. Something that first Bey, then Bilal Fallah and Adil El Arbi used correctly. Thanks to Smith’s sense of humor and charisma, as well as Lawrence’s ability to improvise humorously, The films ranged from great action scenes to the most profane humor.

Therefore it is not surprising that Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth installment and direct follow-up to 2020’s pre-pandemic success, returns to the same stage again. Directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilal Fallah are back at the helm, and the film features plenty of meta references to its universe.

As such, there is no shortage of action sequences reminiscent of the franchise’s most emblematic moments. Or jokes ranging from Mike’s painful and tragic love in the third part, which is satirized in this case, to the status of Marcus’s grandfather. All of this is included in a bizarre chase scene – now against the beloved titular cops accused of the crime – that Chris Bremner and Will Beall’s script doesn’t quite manage to balance.

Slow start

Since four years have passed since the previous installment, the film spends a lot of time (and unnecessary dialogue) informing potential viewers of what happened. But the plot was never deep enough so the summary covers more than just the tone and rhythm of the argument.

Namely: this time it’s about the lives, integrity and loyalty of Mike and Marcus to each other and the memory of the fallen and now reviled Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano). A point that allows the characters to have some of their best moments on screen and without a doubt provides Bad Boys: Ride or Die its inexhaustible air of entertainment and ease. However, this time is not enough.

A movie that adds nothing to the universe

Weakness Bad Boys: Ride or Die, is that it inherited many of the problems of its previous deliveries. Only this time, mistakes in the script or direction aren’t solved by Will Smith’s charm. And not with the physical humor of Martin Lawrence. In fact, both actors seem to be in a precarious balance.

While both feel comfortable and play their roles (and some of the film’s best moments come from them), they seem to be trying too hard to make them likable. This makes Lawrence seem forced—caricatured at best—and Will Smith seem a little out of place. In particular, the latter is making efforts to return his Mike Lowry to all his energy and ability to seduce. But perhaps that’s because the actor has lost some of his shine. or because this time there is no script accompanying him, he cannot give his role any real substance.

Script that doesn’t work at all

It’s obvious that the script is trying to take advantage of the bromance between both the actors. But this time the film needs something more to work. The third installment was a box office and critical success thanks to its ability to use exaggeration and high-octane car chases to its advantage. This time around, however, the formula seems outdated. Because it’s repetitive – its two great scenes are almost identical to those that made the first part famous in 1995 – because it goes nowhere. Much less to contribute anything to the story.

In fact, once a screenplay develops surface conflict, the plot is left half-finished. The plan to involve the protagonist’s agents in an ambiguous and potentially illegal situation is barely outlined. But he immediately moves on to the next thing without adding any depth. Thus, it concentrates on covering all the elements that made the franchise popular. Only with less skill, self-confidence and, without a doubt, the ability to surprise.

Nevertheless,
‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die” works

Therefore, the film suffers from comparison. This is the least clever, witty and most tedious of the sagas, which have hitherto distinguished themselves in quite the opposite way. Despite this, alone Bad Boys: Ride or Dieit’s not a bad movie.

Moreover, in the second stage of the chase through an overcrowded Miami, they are reminiscent of the most striking moments.But the problem is that as part of a crazy, humorous and fast-paced saga, this is the weakest chapter.

With an ending that makes it clear that the story will continue, the film feels more like an homage to the franchise than a plot that can stand on its own. This may be enough for dedicated fans, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to maintain the saga’s identity. Low score for a series of films that had its best and brightest moments.