Columbia Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Westbrook Studios and 2.0 Entertainment’s Bad Boys: Ride Or Die (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; A) is a buddy cop action comedy film.
Mike (Will Smith) and Marcus (Martin Lawrence) are cops who take it upon themselves to solve a murder mystery and clear the name of the deceased.
Detective Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), his partner and fellow detective, investigate corruption within the Miami Police Department. Their late Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is posthumously accused of being involved with drug cartels. Mike and Marcus ask Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio), Mike’s son, who is in jail for having murdered Howard, about Howard. Armando tells them that he is positive, Howard was not corrupt and that he could identify the man who ordered their superior’s murder as he remembered his face. While they transfer Armando to Miami on a helicopter, Mike and Marcus are set up in the process and, although they survive an attack and the subsequent helicopter crash, they are considered fugitives by the police, the manhunt being led by US Marshal Judy Howard (Rhea Seehorn), Captain Howard’s daughter. Not only that, they are eventually being hunted by every criminal gang in Miami.
With the help of AMMO team members Dorn and Kelly, Mike and Marcus identify the man behind the murder and set-up, a former DEA officer, James McGrath (Eric Dane). What happens thereafter?
Chris Bremner and Will Beall have written an interesting story and screenplay. The action drama is laced with a lot of fun and comedy. There are so many turns and twists that the viewers remain invested in the proceedings throughout lest they miss something. The excitement is palpabale. The best part is that the tracks of comedy and action in the drama are intertwined and that increases the entertainment quotient. On the negative side is the fact that the drama is quite predictable. Also, there are too many swear words (the F-word) in the dialogues.
Will Smith does an extraordinary job as Detective Lieutenant Mike. Martin Lawrence is outstanding as Detective Lieutenant Marcus. Together, the two are like a house on fire. They complement each other so wonderfully that it is a delight to watch them on screen. Jacob Scipio looks handsome and performs ably as Armando Aretas, Mike’s son. Vanessa Hudgens is very good as Kelly, weapons expert of AMMO. Alexander Ludwig makes his mark as Dorn, tech expert of AMMO. Paola Núñez is terrific as Captain Rita Secada, head of Miami Police unit AMMO and Mike’s ex-girlfriend. Eric Dane is pretty effective as James McGrath. Joe Pantoliano is natural as Captain Conrad Howard. Ioan Gruffudd has his moments as Rita’s new boyfriend, Lockwood. Melanie Liburd is alright as Christine, Mike’s love interest. Quinn Hemphill makes her mark as Callie Howard, grand-daughter of Captain Conrad Howard. Rhea Seehorn is fair as US Marshall Agent Judy Howard, daughter of Captain Howard. Tasha Smith makes her presence felt in the role of Marcus’s wife, Theresa Burnett. Dennis Greene is lovely as Reggie McDonald, Marcus’ son-in-law and a United States Marine staff sergeant. Tiffany Haddish (as Tabitha), John Salley (as Fletcher), DJ Khaled (as butcher Manny), Joyner Lucas (as a gang leader), Michael Bay (as the Porsche driver), and the others lend adequate support.
Adil and Bilall’s direction is wonderful. Their narration keeps the audience engrossed. Lorne Balfe’s background music is appropriate. Robrecht Heyvaert’s cinematography is terrific. Jon Billington’s production designing is of a high standard. Editing (by Asaf Eisenberg and Dan Lebental) is crisp. Dubbing is very good.
On the whole, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die is a well-made entertaining film. But lack of promotion is a dampener. Its original English version will fare better.
Released on 7-6-’24 at Metro Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Sony Pictures Films India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was not up to the mark at most of the places.