‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’: Will Smith And Martin Lawrence Return, But Does The Magic?

INTRODUCTION

In a hilarious slip-up, Will Smith yells out “Mike!” while chasing Martin Lawrence to the hospital elevator, completely forgetting that Lawrence’s character is actually “Marcus.” Talk about a bad boy oopsie!

Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the 2024 action-comedy, brings back Will Smith and Martin Lawrence for another wild ride. Directed by Adil & Bilall and written by Chris Bremner and Will Beall, this fourth installment follows the explosive adventures of the buddy cops, picking up from Bad Boys for Life (2020).

Familiar faces like Joe Pantoliano, Vanessa Hudgens, and DJ Khaled return, with Tasha Smith stepping in as Theresa Burnett, replacing Theresa Randle from the earlier films.

Rapper Joyner Lucas makes a cameo as a gang leader who kidnaps Mike (Smith) and Marcus (Lawrence). Lucas, a huge fan of Smith, previously showed his love by dropping a song and music video called “Will,” where he morphed into some of Smith’s iconic roles. Smith even jumped on a remix of the track, adding his own verse.

The film made its grand debut at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on May 22, 2024, before hitting U.S. theaters on June 7.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is rated R for strong violence, language throughout, and some sexual references. It runs for 1 hour and 55 minutes.

WHAT IS BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE ABOUT? SYNOPSIS/PLOT.

Four years after the tragic death of Isabel Aretas, Detective Mike Lowrey finally finds joy again, tying the knot with his physical therapist, Christine. Mike’s partner, Detective Marcus Burnett, collapses from a heart attack, slipping into a coma where he has a surreal vision of their late captain, Conrad Howard, who cryptically tells him it’s not his time.

Awakening with a newfound sense of invincibility, Marcus soon learns that Captain Howard’s reputation is under siege, accused of cartel ties. Determined to clear their mentor’s name, Mike and Marcus team up with the fierce Captain Rita Secada and her ambitious mayoral candidate boyfriend, Adam Lockwood.

Things change when they discover Howard left a hidden message on his computer. A dramatic video warns of deep-rooted corruption within the force, using the cryptic phrase “Coke bottle” as a key. Their quest for truth leads them to Fletcher’s club, a hotspot for the Haitian Zoe Pound gang back in 2003.

Here, amidst vibrant wall art, they uncover a QR code unlocking another revealing video from Howard. But before they can digest this new intel, a deadly squad ambushes them, ending Fletcher’s life in a blaze of bullets.

Their investigation takes a shocking turn when they confront Mike’s own son, Armando Aretas, jailed for Howard’s murder. Armando insists Howard was on the brink of exposing a powerful cartel when he was killed. Offering to help, Armando becomes a crucial piece in their puzzle.

As they transport him to Miami, their helicopter is sabotaged, crashing and turning Mike, Marcus, and Armando into wanted fugitives. With a bounty on their heads, they’re hunted by both the law and ruthless gangs. Meanwhile, Howard’s daughter, U.S. Marshal Judy Howard, fueled by vengeance, is hot on their trail.

With the support of AMMO team members Dorn and Kelly, who are revealed to be in a secret romance, Armando identifies the true mastermind from a photograph. The real villain is former Army Ranger turned DEA agent, James McGrath.

Tortured by the cartel, McGrath betrayed his comrades and has been a double agent ever since, colluding with none other than Lockwood. The stakes skyrocket when McGrath kidnaps Christine and Callie, Judy’s daughter. Marcus’s Marine son-in-law, Reggie, heroically defends his family, while Rita, Dorn, and Kelly capture Lockwood.

In a heart-pounding climax at a creepy, abandoned alligator-themed amusement park, the team faces off against McGrath’s mercenaries. Lockwood meets a grisly end, mauled by a gator, while Mike confronts McGrath in a final showdown. With Christine and Marcus held at gunpoint, Mike is forced into a harrowing choice: who will live, and who will die?

MY THOUGHTS ON BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE

My inner child squealed with joy when I heard there was a new Bad Boys movie. Here’s the thing, though: after the last one, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully, Ride or Die blew my expectations out of the water.

CHARACTERS PERFORMANCE

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are like peanut butter and jelly: you just can’t have one without the other. Their comedic timing is immaculate, and their banter throughout the film is pure gold. This time around, we see a bit more vulnerability from Mike Lowry (Smith) as he grapples with his mortality and anxieties. But fear not, the trademark swagger is still very much intact.

Martin Lawrence steals the show in this one. His portrayal of Marcus Burnett is hilarious and heartwarming. Whether he’s quoting scripture mid-shootout or having a spiritual awakening, Lawrence brings an energy to the screen that’s infectious.

Let’s not forget the stellar supporting cast! We’ve got new players like the scene-stealing Reggie (played by Dennis Greene) and familiar faces like Jessica Alba back in action. Each character adds their own unique flavor to the movie, making the world feel rich and alive.

VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY

The action sequences in this movie are a sight to behold. The directors, Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah, take things up a notch with creative camera angles, drone work that will have you glued to the screen, and even some first-person shooter action that puts you right in the heart of the firefight.

Miami is showcased in all its glory, with the vibrant orange and teal tones that have become synonymous with the franchise.

WRITING STYLE AND STORY

The writing in Bad Boys: Ride or Die is like a well-oiled machine, perfectly tuned to deliver a specific kind of experience: pure, unadulterated fun. It’s not going to win awards for literary merit, but that’s not the goal here.

The dialogue is the lifeblood of the film. It includes fast-paced exchanges, witty one-liners, and banter that shows the chemistry between Mike and Marcus. These guys have a way of turning even the most mundane conversation into comedic gold.

The writers don’t shy away from classic action movie tropes. We’ve got the good guys framed for something they didn’t do, the undercover operation gone wrong, and the villain with a ridiculously evil plan. But instead of feeling tired, these clichés are played for laughs and used to propel the story forward at breakneck speed.

While the plot is predictable, the characters are what keep you invested. We see glimpses of vulnerability beneath Mike’s tough exterior and a newfound spiritual awakening for Marcus. There are even some surprisingly touching moments between Mike and his estranged son. However, these moments never slow down the film’s pace. They’re delivered with a wink and a nudge, reminding us that even these hardened detectives have a human side.

THEMES

Underneath all the explosions and car chases, Ride or Die explores some surprising themes. We see Mike Lowrey confront his own mortality and the toll his job has taken on him. Marcus Burnett grapples with faith and finding meaning in life. There’s even a touching exploration of fatherhood and reconciliation. These themes add a layer of depth to the film that elevates it.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

CONCLUSION

If you’re looking for a movie that will have you laughing, cheering, and maybe even a little teary-eyed (okay, maybe that’s just me), then Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the film for you. It’s a perfect summer blockbuster that delivers on everything you could want from a Bad Boys movie: non-stop action, hilarious dialogue, and the return of the iconic duo we all know and love.

Watch BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE in cinemas near you.

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