Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)

Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett are back, and let’s just say, age ain’t nothin’ but a number—for their ever-present immaturity, that is.  Bad Boys: Ride or Die throws our favourite foul-mouthed cops back into the fire as they race to clear their late captain’s name from a corruption scandal. Prepare for explosions, buddy-cop banter, and an abundance of slow-motion that would cause Michael Bay to blush.

Look, there’s no denying this movie is pure popcorn fun. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence slip back into their iconic roles with ease—their comedic chemistry still crackles. There’s a car chase through a glitzy Miami night market that’s as thrillingly absurd as anything in the Fast & Furious franchise. The filmmakers clearly understand the heart of the series: mindless action punctuated by wisecracks. 

But therein lies the rub. While the action sequences are undeniably impressive—think bullet ballets and physics-defying stunts—they start to feel repetitive after a while. The jokes, too, often fall flat. Remember that hilarious bit from the trailer about Marcus’s medical woes? Yeah, that’s about the peak of the comedy here. It feels like the writers strained a little too hard to recapture the magic of the previous films, and some gags land with all the grace of a hippo on roller skates.  

The plot itself is serviceable but unsurprising. There’s a new villain, a fresh mystery, but it never feels particularly inspired. We’ve seen this cops-on-the-run trope countless times before, and Ride or Die doesn’t offer anything particularly new or thought-provoking. 

The movie’s saving grace is, once again, the central duo. Smith maintains his charisma as the ever-cool Mike Lowrey, while Lawrence brings the manic energy, particularly when his character goes undercover (think a high-pitched falsetto that would make a chipmunk blush).  New additions to the cast, like Vanessa Hudgens as Mike’s fiery captain’s daughter, add some spark, but their roles feel underdeveloped.

Technically, the film is solid. The direction is slick, the editing keeps the pace brisk, and the Miami setting is as vibrant and sun-drenched as ever. The soundtrack, however, is a forgettable mix of generic hip-hop and forgettable score.

So, is Bad Boys: Ride or Die a worthy successor to the franchise?  Hmm, not quite. It’s a fun, albeit forgettable, summer action flick. Die-hard fans will likely find enough to enjoy, but for newcomers, there are better entries in the buddy-cop genre (think 21 Jump Street or Rush Hour). This one might make you chuckle, might make you wince, but ultimately, it won’t leave a lasting impression. It’s a perfectly serviceable three-star ride—enjoyable in the moment, but quickly fading from memory once it’s over.