The Stream: It feels long at times.

The Big Screen: Good action sequences that feature everyone.

The Final Bill: Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna doohoooo!?!

– S2S: Movie Review
Director: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah
Writers: Chris Bremner, Will Beall, George Gallo
Stars: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: R for strong violence, language throughout and some sexual references
Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes
Production Companies: Columbia Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Westbrook Studios
Platform: Released in theaters June 7, 2024
Notable Trailers: Trap, Alien: Romulus, Twisters, Wolfs, Venom: The Last Dance, Piece by Piece

Welcome to the real beginning of summer, Streamers! Summer starts when the first summer blockbuster hits the theaters.   This year summer is starting off in Miami with Bad Boys: Ride or Die aka Bad Boys 4.  If you know you know, this installment brings back Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowry (Will Smith) with their ensemble from Bad Boys 3.  This time the bad boys'(or grandpas) deceased captain is being slandered and the guys are working to find and stop whoever is behind destroying the captain’s legacy.  Martin and Will action-comedy hijinks ensue.

Now, this is just another Bad Boys movie, which means that there will be laughs, chase scenes, shoot-outs, emotional dialogues, and a last stand. Will and Martin are not the same men from 29 years ago or even 19 years ago, the first two installment respectively.   We are definitely watching grandpa action flicks at its peak.  They are slower, chubbier, riddled with anxiety and health issues, but this progression feels natural.  This film does a great job of having Smith and Lawrence as its headliners but highlighting the rest of the cast and cameos.

Many of these features are action filled, John Wick-like fights; but if it’s what the people want, then let them eat.  There’s even a surprise feature that will definitely be a fan favorite, but I’ll let you see for yourself.  The action in the movie is hard-hitting, fast, violent, and somehow they also find a way to keep the viewer emotionally involved.  The directors and cast have found a way to make the tense moments still have a bit of humor without breaking the intensity of the moment.  It’s hard to do that well, especially with old man humor.  The only knock on the movie is that for a relatively average length movie it felt like I was sitting through Dune until a certain point.  Not even a slow burn situation, here. It is more we all know how this going to go so let’s get to it.  Predictable is one way of putting it but formulaic is more appropriate.

Nevertheless, Bad Boys: Ride or Die is another strong installment to the franchise.   Will, Martin, the cameos and cast do their thing.   The movie brings the laughter and action to the big screen to start of the summer.   Bad Boys fans grab a big box but everyone else you’ll be safe with a bowl during the matinee times.   Remember we watch together, we review together.   Stream To Big Screen for life.