The iconic Bad Boys are back in “Ride or Die,” this time, it seems things haven’t gotten any less chaotic. We open with a classic scene: Mike Lowrey pushing the pedal to the metal and a familiar voice (Marcus Burnett, no doubt) hollering in the passenger seat to slow down. Been there, done that, right?
But hold on, this Miami mayhem might have a deeper twist. Remember Marcus’ whole “no violence” shtick in the last film? Here, he’s facing a new kind of mortality (well, maybe not literally, but you get the picture).
The good news? The laughs haven’t died. The scene with the robbers and the Skittles sounds like another gem of comedic action. These Bad Boys are proving once again that they may bend the rules but know how to entertain. And the best part? They do their “good cop, bad cop” routine flawlessly without ever needing to announce it. It’s just pure, natural Miami magic.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Marcus has a heart attack at Mike’s wedding, triggering a near-death experience that’s equal parts visually stunning (think underwater visions and life flashbacks) and strangely existential. He wakes up with a newfound appreciation for, well, being alive. Meanwhile, Mike’s dealing with his own set of issues – panic attacks fueled by the Captain Howard murder and the fear of losing his loved ones (blame it on finally settling down with a wife).
This movie’s got everything you crave in a popcorn flick—awesome action, laugh-out-loud moments, and a soundtrack that bumps. Plus, there’s a welcome return of the AMMO crew, even though they don’t get as much screen time as you’d hoped. Regarding missed opportunities, Rhea Seehorn (aka Kim from Better Call Saul) joins the cast as Captain Howard’s daughter, a US Marshall on the hunt for Mike and Marcus. She’s a badass, but the film doesn’t capitalize on her full potential. Think of it like a delicious side dish that could have been the main course with more attention to the script.
Speaking of delicious side dishes, Dennis Greene is all grown up and ripped! Our boy Reggie’s come a long way, raising a body count of 15 (progress, people!).
The action itself is solid but doesn’t quite reach the same heights as the last film. Aretas feels a little nerfed this time, and his big fight while saving Judy’s daughter in the finale could have been smoother. But yes, the entire migration sequence on the aircraft was awesome!
Despite a somewhat weak script, the jokes still land, and the cinematography is pure eye candy. The POV gun scene and Marus’ heart attack scene might be some of my favorite scenes ever!
This is definitely a “homie movie”—grab your crew and head to the theaters! Just keep in mind that it could have been a whole lot more. But hey, this movie will ensure you have a great time because the friendship element is very relatable!
That being said, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah know how to craft a damn entertaining movie (seriously, still bummed about that Batgirl flick). Oh, and there are some killer cameos you won’t see coming. So yeah, check it out!
See it on the big screen!
