Film Review: ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Sees the Action/Comedy Franchise Running on Fumes

The Bad Boys franchise has shown surprising longevity. One could argue that the first sequel was a bit of a surprise, let alone when Bad Boys for Life was finally released. With Bad Boys: Ride or Die, there’s oddly the least gap in time between sequels, though they all feel very disconnected from each other, timing-wise. Here, we have a story very much playing off of prior events, while also sort of just congratulating itself as a series. Unfortunately, it makes for a very dumb film with only sporadic moments of fun.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die has the franchise showing major signs of strain. The original Bad Boys movies weren’t high art, but this is easily the worst outing to date. Without a clear idea of what to do, the premise is sweaty, the execution is slapdash, and we’re left to just coast on the chemistry of the leads. That’s where the flick succeeds, but it’s not nearly enough to warrant a recommendation.

Miami cops Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are still inseparable. Early on, whether it’s at Mike’s wedding or when Marcus suffers a near death experience, they’re a rock solid unit. A calmer life is awaiting them, but then their late captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is posthumously implicated in massive corruption. Knowing in their bones that he’s being set up, they set out to prove his innocence.

In investigating the charges and trying to clear the captain’s name, they show up on the radar of our villain, James McGrath (Eric Dane). To counter their work, he sets them up as criminals as well. Soon, Mike and Marcus are fugitives, continuing their investigation while evading both criminals, cops, and all manner of shenanigans. Action ensues.

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith remain the highlights here. They have an easy chemistry and are certainly having fun. At the same time, they fare best just buddying around, as opposed to when the former is having visions, or when the latter is dealing with panic attacks. They’re both fine in the film, but not doing anything particularly memorable. Eric Dane is an absolute zero, villain-wise, contributing incredibly little. His character is a black hole, so there’s only so much he can do, unfortunately. In addition to the aforementioned Joe Pantoliano, supporting players include Dennis Greene, Ioan Gruffudd, Tiffany Haddish, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Jacob Scipio, Rhea Seehorn, and more.

Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah don’t lack for style, though the script from Chris Bremner, Will Beall, and George Gallo is really thin. Four films in, is the best idea really just framing the main character cops and putting them on the run? It feels sweaty, especially when so little actually ends up happening. The writing is an issue, while the direction of Bad Boys: Ride or Die may prove divisive. The pair go for style, for sure, even if there’s no substance, but there are times where they’re doing way too much. It becomes oddly exhausting.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die wasn’t for me. I think you can decide, at least in part, if this flick is for you or not by considering if hearing how the main characters are “bad boys” multiple times. If that tickles you, you’re potentially going to have fun. If you’re already rolling your eyes, brace yourself for some real mediocrity. It’s pretty clear where I fall here, but decide for yourself…

SCORE: ★★