Ratings: 3.5/5
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” delivers exactly what it promises—a sharp, hilarious storyline that immerses you in a high-stakes “counter-strike” mission. It’s easy to see why the creators opted for a safe sequel instead of taking risks with new elements. This decision, though financially prudent, does not necessarily make for a better movie. Hence, it earns a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Plot
The beloved duo of cops is back. As a sequel to “Bad Boys for Life,” “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” showcases the enduring bromance of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. They reprise their roles as detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, who, alongside Captain Conrad Howard, tackle a cartel with posthumous accusations of corruption against their former boss. The duo operates outside the law to solve their latest mission.
Mike and Marcus visit Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio), Mike’s son, in prison, where he’s serving time for murdering Howard. Armando insists that Howard was not corrupt and offers to identify the man who ordered the captain’s murder, claiming he remembers the culprit’s face.
Review
Following Detective Mike Lowrey’s marriage to Christine, his physical therapist, he and his partner Marcus Burnett investigate corruption within the Miami Police Department. Their late Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is accused posthumously of involvement with drug cartels. Howard left behind clues that lead them to seek Armando’s help in identifying the mysterious mastermind.
While transferring Armando to Miami by helicopter, Mike and Marcus survive an ambush and subsequent crash, only to be considered fugitives by the police. U.S. Marshal Judy Howard, Captain Howard’s daughter, leads the manhunt. Meanwhile, every criminal gang in Miami is also after them.
With support from AMMO team members Dorn (Alexander Ludwig) and Kelly (Vanessa Hudgens), who are revealed to be dating, they identify the man behind the setup—officer James McGrath. McGrath, informed by Lockwood (Ioan Gruffudd), Captain Rita’s (Paola Núñez) new boyfriend and a mayoral candidate, sends his men to kidnap Christine and Callie (Judy’s daughter) and take them to an old alligator park. Mike, Marcus, and Armando, with help from Captain Rita, Kelly, and Dorn, rescue the hostages after a fierce battle. Judy, realizing Armando saved her daughter’s life, spares him and allows him to escape.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” thrives on the undeniable chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, a hallmark that has always endeared these films to audiences.
