Bad Boys: Ride or Die - A Thrilling Ride
The dynamic duo is back and better than ever
It’s no secret that keeping a film franchise alive for an extended period can be extremely difficult. Many movie series tend to fizzle out by their fourth instalment – but somehow, someway, Bad Boys: Ride or Die does the exact opposite.
Once again directed by the Moroccan-Belgian duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who took the reins from director Michael Bay with 2020’s Bad Boys For Life, the latest chapter breathes new vitality into the long-beloved buddy-cop franchise. Hollywood stalwarts Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reprise their roles, and despite nearly 30 years passing since the release of the first Bad Boys film, their chemistry is more palpable than ever.
A Personal and Potentially Dangerous Mission
In Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett face their most personal and potentially dangerous mission yet, and while the film can be extremely funny at times, it’s the innovative direction of Adil and Bilall that holds it all together.
The chemistry between the leads is undeniable
From the outset, the film establishes itself as both a continuation and a reinvention of the franchise, even more so than the third instalment, which proved to be a hit in 2020. As with that film, Ride or Die’s most striking aspect is its visual style.
Adil and Bilall, known for their dynamic and energetic direction, infuse the film with a vibrant aesthetic tailor-made for a modern audience. The duo’s use of bold colours, rapid camera movements, and slick first-person shooter-styled action sequences all play a part in making the film stand out from contemporary rivals in the genre.
Action-Packed and Emotionally Engaging
The action sequences, in particular, are a testament to their immense skill. Each set piece is meticulously detailed, from explosive car chases to intense hand-to-hand combat. Concentrating on the minutiae of the situation, and always centring the characters within it, makes the film both thrilling and emotionally engaging, with palpable suspense throughout.
“The action sequences are meticulously detailed, from explosive car chases to intense hand-to-hand combat.”
But beyond the edge-of-your-seat action and laugh-out-loud banter between the seasoned lead duo, the film also finds time to delve deeper into its characters’ development as they chart new territory in their lives. This elevates the film from a by-numbers popcorn movie to something more resonant. Both Smith and Lawrence thrive in their quieter, character-driven scenes and prove that this franchise gets stronger the more it allows these characters to grow old and become vulnerable.
The film takes a deeper look into the characters’ development
Marcus, played by Martin Lawrence, really stands out. His character has a near-death experience in the first act, which catapults the story in a hilarious yet strangely touching direction.
Will Smith’s Mike, too, reveals a new weakness; throughout the film, he’s plagued by debilitating panic attacks. In those moments, it doesn’t feel like we’re getting the action-film Smith. Rather, this is the Smith who won an Academy Award for Best Actor just two years ago.
A Thrilling Ride
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its innovative direction, stunning visuals, and heartfelt character development, it’s a must-watch for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.
A thrilling ride from start to finish
