When Bad Boys first hit the screens back in 1995, no one could have predicted that the explosive duo of Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) would become action-movie icons. Fast forward nearly three decades later, and the world of Bad Boys continues to expand with the latest installment, Bad Boys: Ride or Die. A franchise once defined by over-the-top action, humor, and chemistry between its leads, Ride or Die seeks to uphold that legacy while also delivering a modern twist for today’s action-thirsty audiences. But does it succeed? That’s the million-dollar question.
The Plot: Bigger, Badder, and Faster?
Bad Boys: Ride or Die picks up where Bad Boys for Life left off. Mike and Marcus are back, but they’re not the same. Marcus is seriously contemplating retirement (again), worn down by the never-ending shootouts, car chases, and death-defying stunts. Meanwhile, Mike continues his relentless pursuit of justice, but this time with a personal vendetta. Their bond is tested like never before as they face a new threat—one that not only brings chaos to Miami but also strikes closer to home.
The movie wastes no time diving into high-stakes action. Within the first ten minutes, we’re treated to an explosive chase sequence through the heart of Miami that would make Fast & Furious proud. And that’s just the beginning. As the story unfolds, Mike and Marcus are pulled into a dangerous web of corruption involving drug cartels, international mercenaries, and—yes—family secrets that threaten to tear them apart.
But here’s the thing: the plot, while ambitious and packed with twists, feels a bit too familiar. Ride or Die takes a lot of its narrative cues from action movies we’ve seen before, blending in elements from Taken, John Wick, and even Mission: Impossible. There’s nothing wrong with paying homage to great action films, but Ride or Die sometimes feels like it’s borrowing too heavily from its influences without bringing enough fresh ideas to the table.
The Action: Non-Stop Mayhem or Overkill?
One thing’s for sure: if you’re here for the action, Bad Boys: Ride or Die delivers in spades. Director Adil & Bilall, who also helmed Bad Boys for Life, clearly have a knack for orchestrating pulse-pounding sequences. The gunfights are loud, the explosions are massive, and the chase scenes are relentless. From helicopters weaving through skyscrapers to motorcycles speeding down highways, Ride or Die never gives the audience a moment to catch their breath.
That said, there’s a fine line between adrenaline-pumping action and sensory overload, and Ride or Die often veers into the latter territory. Some of the set pieces are so over-the-top that they border on the ridiculous. There’s a particular sequence involving a speeding train, a tank, and a collapsing bridge that feels straight out of a video game. Sure, it’s entertaining, but the constant barrage of action can leave viewers feeling a little numb by the time the credits roll.
Chemistry and Humor: The Heart of Bad Boys
What has always set Bad Boys apart from other action franchises is the undeniable chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Their back-and-forth banter, combined with their polar opposite characters—Mike, the reckless playboy, and Marcus, the cautious family man—has always been the heart of the series. Thankfully, Ride or Die doesn’t lose sight of this dynamic.
The humor in Ride or Die is as sharp as ever, with Lawrence’s Marcus delivering some of the best lines in the film. His constant exasperation with Mike’s antics, his musings on retirement, and his attempts to juggle the dangers of their job with the mundane realities of family life make for some genuinely hilarious moments. Meanwhile, Smith continues to bring his A-game, balancing Mike’s swagger and emotional depth as he grapples with some personal demons.
However, as much as the movie tries to lean on this classic dynamic, it also feels like it’s running out of fresh material. Many of the jokes rely on the same old formula—Mike makes a reckless decision, Marcus freaks out, they argue, rinse, and repeat. While it’s fun to see these characters in action again, the humor occasionally feels forced, like it’s trying too hard to recapture the magic of the earlier films.
New Faces, Old Problems
Bad Boys: Ride or Die brings some fresh blood to the series, introducing a new generation of characters who fight alongside Mike and Marcus. Among them is Rita (Paola Nuñez), who returns as the leader of AMMO, the elite police unit introduced in Bad Boys for Life. There’s also a new hotshot recruit, played by Vanessa Hudgens, who adds some youthful energy to the team.
While these characters do bring something new to the table, they’re ultimately sidelined in favor of the Mike-and-Marcus show. Hudgens and the rest of the AMMO team have their moments, but they’re never fully fleshed out, making them feel like mere accessories to the plot rather than essential players. It’s a missed opportunity, especially considering the potential for these new characters to breathe fresh life into the franchise.
The villains, too, are a mixed bag. On the one hand, we get a menacing cartel boss who feels like a genuine threat to our heroes. On the other hand, some of the secondary antagonists come off as one-dimensional, lacking the depth and nuance that could have made them truly memorable.
Themes: Loyalty, Family, and Brotherhood
At its core, Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a story about loyalty and brotherhood. Mike and Marcus’s friendship is tested like never before, and the movie does a decent job of exploring the emotional weight of their relationship. There are moments when you can feel the strain between them, as they grapple with the consequences of their actions and the toll that their dangerous lifestyle has taken on their personal lives.
Family is another central theme, with both Mike and Marcus facing challenges that force them to confront their pasts. For Marcus, it’s about protecting his family and finding a way to balance his duties as a cop with his role as a husband and father. For Mike, it’s about uncovering secrets that could change his life forever.
But while these themes are important, they sometimes get lost in the chaos of the action. The movie touches on these emotional beats but never fully dives into them, leaving some of the more dramatic moments feeling undercooked. There’s potential for a deeper, more meaningful exploration of these themes, but Ride or Die ultimately opts for spectacle over substance.
The Verdict: Fun but Flawed
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is undeniably a fun ride. It’s loud, action-packed, and filled with the kind of humor that fans of the franchise have come to expect. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence still have that undeniable chemistry that makes them one of the most entertaining duos in action cinema. And for those who crave non-stop mayhem, the movie certainly delivers on that front.
However, the film falls short in a few key areas. The plot, while serviceable, feels overly familiar, and the non-stop action can become overwhelming at times. The new characters, while promising, don’t get nearly enough development, and the emotional stakes are never fully realized. In the end, Bad Boys: Ride or Die feels like a movie that’s more concerned with delivering spectacle than substance.
Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy the film for what it is—an entertaining, if slightly shallow, action extravaganza. But for those looking for something more, Ride or Die may not hit the mark.
Final Thoughts
Bad Boys: Ride or Die serves up exactly what it promises: a fast-paced, high-octane action movie that revels in its own absurdity. While it may not have the same freshness as the original Bad Boys, it’s still a worthy addition to the franchise for die-hard fans. Whether you’ll love it or leave it depends on how much you’re willing to forgive its flaws in exchange for a dose of nostalgia and a few good laughs.
If you’re ready to buckle up and go along for the ride, then Bad Boys: Ride or Die is sure to entertain. But if you’re looking for something more groundbreaking, you might be left wanting a little more.
