Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Fourth Bad Boys movie with Smith and Lawrence back as Miami cops
The brief
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence slip back into their buddy cop chemistry like a worn leather jacket, delivering the same rapid-fire banter and explosive set pieces that made the franchise a 90s staple. The action sequences are polished but predictable, leaning heavily on practical stunts and Miami's neon-soaked aesthetic to mask a paint-by-numbers revenge plot. Smith seems genuinely energized to be back in blockbuster mode, while Lawrence provides the manic energy that keeps things from taking themselves too seriously. Perfect if you're craving turn-your-brain-off summer entertainment in the vein of Fast & Furious or need a nostalgic hit of pre-Marvel action cinema.
The verdict
If you're craving nostalgic buddy cop action with explosive Miami set pieces and don't mind a predictable plot, this delivers exactly the turn-your-brain-off summer entertainment you're looking for. If you need fresh storytelling or sophisticated action beyond polished stunts and rapid-fire banter, you'll find this paint-by-numbers approach more exhausting than entertaining.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for action movie nights with friends
- 👫 Great for couples who love throwback blockbusters
- ⚠️ Skip if you need intelligent plotting
Heads up
- Frequent gunfights and explosive action sequences (frequent)
- Strong language throughout (frequent)
- Brief sexual innuendo and crude humor (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Adil El Arbi
- Cast
- Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd
Official synopsis
After their late former Captain is framed, Lowrey and Burnett try to clear his name, only to end up on the
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Point Break (1991)
Both feature buddy cop partnerships chasing criminals in high-octane action sequences.
Total runtime: 1h 55m + 2h 2m = 3h 57m
