Bad Boys: Ride or Die Review

The Bad Boys buddy cop movies are not for everyone. However, they have themselves a niche audience. The plots don't differ much - two detectives, the Miami Police Department, moles in the department, and the cartel are the staples - but the giggles, the action, and occasionally the cast and the director do. "Bad Boys: Ride Or Die" is the fourth installment, which might seem odd since "Bad Boys For Life", the third one, feels like a title reserved for the final film. Yet here we are.

After the wedding of Detective Mike Lowrey (Smith), his partner Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) and he investigate corruption in the Miami Police Department. Their late Captain Howard (Pantoliano) is accused of cartel involvement, but Mike's imprisoned son Armando reveals Howard was innocent and identifies the real culprit. Framed as fugitives, Mike and Marcus are hunted by the police and by criminals. With help from the AMMO team, they uncover the true villain, rescue hostages, and clear Howard's name, while Armando escapes after saving a life.

From the start, let us explain: we didn't expect novelty - we expected recycled content somehow made entertaining. No buddy cop movie ever brought anything refreshingly new. With this baseline, the movie seems like a fun ride.

The film starts with a scene from the trailer: Marcus buying ginger ale and encountering a robbery. That scene gives out a lot of what to expect. It feels like the actors are genuinely having fun, reuniting seamlessly. However, the dynamic between the characters shifts: Marcus is now the chill one, while Mike is the worried one - it was the opposite in the previous three movies.

Now, the first movie was released 29 years ago. The original dynamic of Marcus as the family man and Mike as the cool guy was perfect for the '90s and early 2000s. In BB4, the makers have tried to show the aging of the characters. Aging Marcus is less noticeable since he's always been the family man. But Mike now has panic attacks due to his new family responsibilities, and it's harder to adjust to the more cautious Mike. He was the epitome of cool, and watching him struggling to adapt to older age is an effort.

There are a few other issues, too. The movie includes many side-plots and quests, and some of them feel unnecessary or overly long, reminiscent of a GTA mission. The side-plots are also inspired by various sources, from "Enemy Of The State" to "The Fugitive", creating a patchwork of familiar vibes that shift throughout the film.

The movie also sends mixed signals by becoming predictable a couple of times. Some reveals feel like they should have been obvious. Indeed, if you overthink it, the movie becomes flawed and convoluted. But if you switch off your phone and suspend some disbelief, you'll have a good time.

On the positive side, there's a fine line between capturing '90s action nostalgia and crossing into cartoonish territory, and the movie somehow escapes landing into the latter. The action is also a draw. The shootouts are great, with well-chosen settings that evoke the thrill of playing laser tag or paintball. You can sense the influence of Michael Bay in the action scenes, even though Adil & Bilall directed this one, putting their unique spin on it.

The action also delivers fun sequences. However, some humour during action scenes feels awkward, like a slow-mo segment where Marcus' tries to eat falling candy, that goes on too long. It is not however a reflection on Marcus, who remains a standout. Lawrence shines with impeccable comedic timing and likability. Smith, however, doesn't fare as well. He reprises his role, but the new character doesn't seem to fit him, making it feel like a case of bad casting. The rest of the cast, most of whom have reprised their roles, perform as they did before - there's nothing new, but it's not shabby, either.

So there - BB4 is all about action, intermittent cop bromance, and some jokes and giggles. The action sequences, chases, blasts and shootouts are mind-blowing. The shootout scenes, in particular, are spectacular and elicit applause from the audience. Executed brilliantly, they are the heart of the film. And the niggles are just that - niggles. This is a must-watch for buddy cop movie fans and kids. And even for all others, this is a film that deserves a watch once in a theatre.