Big Will Is Back For Summertime: ‘Bad Boys: Ride Or Die’ Review
The summer blockbuster seems to be back in full swing. Many currently in the industry ask why aren’t people coming to theaters and with films like Bad Boys: Ride Or Die I ask the same question. Action films this summer have not had the best track record at the box office with The Fall Guy failing to break even. With Bad Boys: Ride Or Die however, the action-packed thrill ride is balanced with a comedic edge and competent performances alongside a unique direction that makes this one of the best in the franchise.
The film follows Miami cops Mike Lowrey, played by Will Smith, and Marcus Burnett, played by Martin Lawrence, who embark on a dangerous mission to clear their dead captain’s name when corrupt double agents link him to drug cartels. The mission gets even more personal when Mike’s son Armando Armas, played by Jacob Scipio, gets caught in the crossfire and the two cops are forced to go rogue to keep him safe.
The film’s narrative structure Is incredibly similar to that of the prior films in the franchise. Fans of the previous action staples’ signature Miami aesthetic with fun action sequences and humorous buddy-cop banter will find this film to be a blast. The third act climaxes in the abandoned theme park Gatorville is worth the price of admission alone. What sets the film apart is its unique take on the action sequences utilizing a vibrant color palette and dynamic cinematography to create a visually enthralling aesthetic that adds a fresh coat of paint for a tenured franchise.
The direction is courtesy of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah who previously helmed the doomed Batgirl movie. If their fun and energetic take on the Bad Boys formula is any indication of what that project looked like it is a tragedy that David Zaslov has locked that film away from the public. The innovative use of POV shots reminiscent of First Person Shooters like Call Of Duty adds a fresh new take on the action film. The film’s color palette of bright neon-drenched nightclubs fits the Miami aesthetic well. The movie oozes fun. It’s impossible to exit the film without having a good time.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s on-screen chemistry is dynamite. The banter encapsulates the humor of the film perfectly and it comes off as natural nearing the point of improvisational. The opening scene where Marcus and Mike try to dissuade an armed robber out of robbing a convenience store simply because they are late to something before effortlessly taking him down is comedy gold. In the film’s more serious character moments, Will Smith shines in the scenes he has to shed the comedic mask and enter a more dramatic “loose cannon cop” archetype. Martin Lawrence’s over-the-top comedic performance is the best in the series. Overall the comedic writing is strong and Lawrence’s performance does the writing justice. He goes all in at several points in the film mainly the fight with Duke in the third act. The writing, courtesy of the team of Chris Brewer and Will Beall based on an original story by George Gallo, is extremely witty but not overbearing. The writing lets the cast lead the film while also putting in plenty of action.
The color palette of the film is as vibrant as the Miami setting of the film. This film ditches the previous films’ over-saturated shot gun blasts of the color orange for a varied color palette that livens up the negative space in every frame. The color palette of the film also accentuates the cinematography in which it is established. The neon-drenched color scheme is almost certainly inspired by the John Wick franchise but this film adds a lot of humor to the setting. The dynamic cinematography and distinct color palette make this stand out amongst the pop-corn action films at this summer’s box office.
As for how this film compares to the prior films in the franchise I would say this film sits right below Bad Boys 2 and above Bad Boys & Bad Boys For Life in quality. The film follows the same formula as the last few installments but adds a breath of fresh air to the direction and cinematography of the franchise. Bruckheimer has seemingly passed the over-the-top action movie torch to the newest generation of directors with this film. If this film’s unique aesthetic and direction offer any kind of indication for the future of blockbuster action films then this is an omen of good tides ahead. The film’s reliance on gunfights instead of VFX & CGI seems to be a trend amongst younger action filmmakers and this film offers a quintessential example of why so many are opting for this kind of action film.
This film is lots of fun. Everything about is what you would want out of another Bad Boys film. The humor is on point, the action is innovative, and the tone is just right for a fun summer thrill ride. This is a movie you have to see in cinemas, however. The humor works best with a crowd and the colors would look best on the biggest screen you can get this on. Ultimately, if you want a fun time with a good plot-driven storyline through interesting locales and lots of buddy cop banter then this film is right up your alley.
