'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' effectively argues for the budding law enforcers putting away their firearms
Smith and Lawrence, now in their 50s, can still convincingly play their roles, though the best action scene in the movie feels like it came from a different film.
This reunion features the usual married-couple-like disagreements and nods to previous installments, but it all feels a bit tired, from the familiar music to the scantily-clad extras used to represent Miami.
"Bad Boys" starts with Mike settling down and Marcus facing a close call that changes his perspective - a humorous twist that, sadly, isn't fully developed.
The current danger stems from a case that their late captain (Joe Pantoliano) had been working on, involving drug cartels and a brutal killer (Eric Dane, playing your typical bad guy) and reveals a network of corruption which forces Mike to reconnect with his son Armando (Jacob Scipio) and forces the buddies to go on the run.
Directors Adil & Bilall are back for "Bad Boys for Life" (Michael Bay having set the tone in the first two films) and don't hold back on action or stunts, although their attempts to add a cinematic flair to the scenes lead to a mixed outcome, including a sequence reminiscent of a first-person shooter game. While the movie has its fair share of violence, the humor in Chris Bremner and Will Beall's screenplay is disappointingly dull.
The supporting actors have limited screen time, including returning stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, and Paola Nuñez, a brief appearance by Tiffany Haddish, and a baffling, pointless role for Rhea Seehorn ("Better Call Saul").
In a foreshadowing of his character's fate, Dane's villain grumbles after a failed assassination attempt, "These guys just won't die." While the fourth "Bad Boys" may not be strong enough to end their careers, it does hint that they should follow the lead of many Floridians and retire from the buddy-cop business.
Premiering June 7 in US theaters, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" is rated R.
Read also:
Despite the tiresome feel of the familiar elements in "Bad Boys: Ride or Die", the entertainment value lies in the high-octane action scenes and the dynamic performances of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The film's surprise twist about the late captain's case and drug cartel network adds an exciting layer to the entertainment, keeping viewers engaged throughout.
