This is an archive article published on June 6, 2024
Bad Boys Ride or Die review: A fun ride that taps into Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s camaraderie
Even as aging stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence -- who team up for the fourth time as buddy cops -- infuse the narrative with their energy, the action-comedy offers few surprises.
If the intention of this summer entertainer is to repackage what the audience has loved about this two-decade-old franchise and add some extra thrill to it, then the fourth instalment of this buddy cop comedy-action does that quite well. Bad Boys: Ride or Die takes you back to Miami as detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) find themselves tackling yet another tough challenge — corruption within the Miami Police Department and their late captain being falsely accused of having ties with drug cartels.
Designed to be a roller-coaster of emotions, Bad Boys: Ride or Die opens with the wedding of Mike and Christine (Melanie Liburd). This is disrupted with Marcus having a heart attack. Marcus gets out of danger with his wit and humour intact. He also has a new belief that he can’t die. That lends itself to some hilarious sequences as Marcus almost dances through a busy Maimi crossing amidst speeding vehicles.
They swing into action soon after as their friend Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano), following his killing, is framed for being involved in a cartel’s money laundering scheme. Lowrey and Burnett work on uncovering the truth even as they soon find themselves on the run along with Mike’s imprisoned son Armando (Jacob Scipio). Apart from the police, Miami gangsters too are running after them for the $5 million bounty announced for capturing them dead or alive.
This is Will Smith’s return to the big screen after he infamously slapped Chris Rock during the Oscar ceremony in 2022. This role gives him the chance to once again showcase his talent as a complete entertainer as the movie packs several comic, emotional and action scenes. It is also an opportunity to revive one of his much-loved characters. But the scene-stealer is Martin Lawrence with his goofiness and zany dialogues. While Smith appears jaded at times, Lawrence’s comic timing seems to be at its best. Overall, the duo prove that even though they are nearly 20 years older since they first appeared as buddy cops, they are still high on energy and have retained their charming on-screen camaraderie.
The director duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah steer the narrative deftly as Miami’s finest “bad boys” become the most wanted men. They bank on the nostalgia that’s associated with the genre. Even though the film does not have many nail-biting moments, it offers the comfort of familiarity as the ‘same of more’ becomes the film’s USP. Not every gag works (some of the words have also been beeped out for the Indian audience), but the cop comedy underlines that the aging stars still have it in them as they go all gun blazing.
Bad Boys Ride or Die movie director: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah Bad Boys Ride or Die movie cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig Paola Núñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Rhea Seehorn Bad Boys Ride or Die movie rating: Two and a half stars
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
