When their late police captain gets linked to drug cartels, Miami PD detectives embark on a dangerous mission to clear his name. A film by Adil & Bilall, starring Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, DJ Khaled, and Joe Pantoliano.
BAD BOYS
RIDE OR DIE
Adil El Arbi • Bilall Fallah
(2024)
Directed by Belgian duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, BAD BOYS: Ride or Die picks up where BAD BOYS for Life left off, marking the fourth entry in the popular franchise.
Written by Chris Bremner and Will Beall, the film reunites Miami Police Department Detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence). This time, they’re on a mission to clear their late captain Howard’s name after he’s framed for colluding with drug cartels.
The plot thickens when Mike and Marcus discover that Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio) can identify the real culprit. With Armando now a target for the cartels, the duo attempts to move him to a secure location.
However, their plans go sideways when they’re ambushed mid-transfer, resulting in a helicopter crash. Though they survive, Mike and Marcus find themselves framed as Armando’s accomplices. Now, they must race against time to clear their names and unmask the corrupt agent behind it all.
BAD BOYS continues to deliver with its trademark blend of high-octane action and comedy. The script crackles with hilarious dialogue and an engaging story, even if it doesn’t break new ground. While playing it safe with familiar elements might disappoint some, it’s sure to satisfy fans looking for a nostalgic fix.
That said, some new additions, like Mike’s panic attacks, feel a bit out of place and disrupt the film’s pacing. The movie also leans more into over-the-top, physics-defying stunts reminiscent of The Fast and The Furious franchise. But given the series’ history of larger-than-life action, this shift isn’t entirely out of character.
BAD BOYS: Ride or Die may not reinvent the wheel, but it certainly keeps it spinning with flair. The chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence remains the franchise’s heart, with their banter and comedic timing as sharp as ever..
While the film doesn’t push any boundaries, it delivers exactly what fans have come to expect: a fun, adrenaline-fueled ride with plenty of laughs along the way. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the BAD BOYS formula, proving that sometimes, giving the audience more of what they love is a winning strategy.
BAD BOYS: Ride or Die premiered on 22 May 2024 at Coca-Cola Arena in United Arab Emirates. It was theatrically released in the United States on 7 June. As of July 2024, the film has grossed over $395 million worldwide against a production budget of $100 million.
