Bad Boys: Ride or Die Movie Review - A fun instalment, but nothing special (By Shayen Unadkat)

 "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" sees Mike and Marcus (Will Smith and Martin Lawrence) return for another buddy-cop adventure, and this time, they are on the run—well, not really. Adil and Bilall’s outing sure is a fun one, set in an unserious world that plays with life too cheaply, but it doesn't really embrace its premise or endeavor for something new—which is what this franchise needs to keep going at a good quality.

"Ride or Die" embraces its unserious and fun nature from the first few scenes but also shows how predictable and unoriginal the narrative will be. The first act alone copies events from the film’s predecessor, and the only changes are that it happens to a different character. What happens here is used in the final act to make things come full circle (and how it is used is stupid, but damn fun) and is just a further affirmation that no plot in this franchise should be taken seriously or with much emotional weight, even though, surprisingly, this film’s predecessor "Bad Boys: For Life" was more emotionally engaging than it needed to be.

I think when the film really leans into this unseriousness to showcase some awesomely unpredictable and unexpected action sequences is where it shines, as well as some stunning Miami shots, as there are truly some epic and engaging moments that will leave watchers hyped and enjoying the smooth integration of comedy that comes with these sequences. As for the comedic aspects of the film, "Ride or Die" levels up and does a great job of amalgamating plot development with humorous scenes that will keep audiences engaged.

I think where I’m mostly disappointed with this film is its lack of new plot points and utilization of the film’s premise. The reveal that Mike and Marcus are fugitives only really kicks off by the film’s hour mark, and what we get before is nothing new. But even after, it’s like we don’t really get to explore this concept and see what a life on the run would really look like for this buddy-cop duo.

That being said, I still respect this film for connecting the dots of the franchise in general and sticking to what makes it fun, even though it’s a shame this fun is sort of uninspired and clichéd. Adil and Bilall have done a solid job in both films of making sure Mike and Marcus stick to their tropes from the original Michael Bay films and allowing them to continue to thrive as if fans were watching them in action 25 years ago again. It’s the charm of these characters and their portrayals that make these movies likable and fun. Smith and Lawrence have fantastic chemistry, even though the supporting cast suffers because the writing just doesn’t cater to them, and their jokes and hard-hitting action scenes are what carry this movie big-time. At least the directing duo haven’t made a stinker!

Ultimately, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" is a recommend for big fans of the franchise. However, if you’re actively looking for an action flick, this isn’t the worst choice but by far not the best either, and I wouldn’t bother too much with it—partially because it’s the implementation of nostalgic characters in Mike and Marcus that makes this movie thrive. What you gonna get if you go see the "Bad Boys"? Nothing special, but if you’re a franchise fan, only then will the fun and nostalgia come to you.