Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) Movie Review: A High-Octane Action Comedy

Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024): High-Octane Nostalgia That Actually Delivers

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Here's something I never thought I'd be writing in 2024: the fourth Bad Boys movie is actually really, really good. After thirty years of watching Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett blow stuff up and crack wise, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" could have easily been a lazy cash grab trading on nostalgia. Instead, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have crafted an action spectacle that honors the franchise's legacy while pushing it into surprisingly fresh territory.

Let me be upfront - if you hated the previous Bad Boys movies, this one isn't going to convert you. But if you have any affection for Will Smith and Martin Lawrence's chemistry, or if you just want to see some of the most creatively choreographed action sequences in recent memory, then buckle up. This ride is worth taking.

The Old Dogs Still Hunt

Will Smith returns as Detective Mike Lowrey, and despite everything that's happened in his personal life over the past few years, he slips back into this role like putting on a comfortable jacket. Mike is dealing with his own mortality in ways that feel genuinely earned after four movies of seemingly invincible heroics. Smith brings a vulnerability to the character that wasn't present in earlier films, but he hasn't lost that cocky swagger that made Mike iconic.

Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett continues to be the heart and soul of this franchise. Marcus is now a grandfather, dealing with his own health scares, and Lawrence plays these moments with surprising depth. The running gag about Marcus believing he's invincible after surviving a heart attack could have been one-note, but Lawrence finds ways to keep it fresh throughout the entire runtime.

What impressed me most is how the film acknowledges that these characters have aged without making that the joke. Yes, there are references to their advancing years, but the humor comes from their personalities and relationship dynamics, not from "old guys trying to keep up" gags that plague other legacy sequels.

A Plot That Actually Makes Sense

The story kicks off when their beloved Captain Howard (posthumously played through archive footage and some impressive digital work) is framed as a corrupt cop working with cartels. Mike and Marcus go rogue to clear their mentor's name, uncovering a conspiracy that goes deeper than they expected.

Jacob Scipio returns as Armando, Mike's son from the previous film, now imprisoned but crucial to unraveling the mystery. The father-son dynamic between Smith and Scipio adds genuine emotional weight to the proceedings. Their scenes together crackle with tension and unexpected tenderness.

Vanessa Hudgens and Alexander Ludwig reprise their roles as the tech-savvy members of AMMO, the elite team introduced in the previous film. Both actors have grown more comfortable in their roles, and their banter with the leads feels more natural this time around.

Paola Núñez returns as Mike's love interest Rita, and she gets much more to do this time around. She's not just waiting on the sidelines - she's actively involved in the investigation and action sequences, which is a welcome improvement from her somewhat thankless role in the previous film.

Action Sequences That Redefine Spectacular

This is where "Ride or Die" truly excels. The action choreography is nothing short of spectacular, with each major set piece feeling distinct and memorable. El Arbi and Fallah have created some of the most inventive action sequences I've seen in years.

The standout is a prison break sequence that unfolds in what appears to be a single continuous take (though obviously composed of multiple shots seamlessly stitched together). The camera follows our heroes through corridors, up stairwells, and through explosive confrontations with a fluidity that makes you forget you're watching a movie.

A high-speed chase through Miami involves helicopters, motorcycles, and a airboat pursuit through the Everglades that escalates in ways I won't spoil. The geography is always clear, the stakes feel real, and the practical effects work (mixed judiciously with CGI) gives everything a weight and impact that pure digital spectacle often lacks.

The film's climactic battle takes place in an abandoned theme park, and the directors use this environment brilliantly. Roller coaster tracks become highways for motorcycle chases, funhouse mirrors create visual confusion during shootouts, and carnival rides become both weapons and obstacles. It's the kind of creative location work that elevates good action into great action.

Comedy That Lands More Than It Misses

The Bad Boys franchise has always walked a fine line between action and comedy, and this entry finds that balance better than most. Smith and Lawrence's improvisational chemistry remains the series' secret weapon. Their conversations feel natural and lived-in, like we're watching two old friends who genuinely enjoy each other's company.

The film's funniest running gag involves Marcus's newfound fearlessness after his near-death experience. Lawrence milks every moment of this premise without overplaying it, finding new ways to surprise us with Marcus's reckless confidence.

Martin Lawrence gets some of the film's biggest laughs during a sequence where he has to go undercover at a high-end Miami party. Watching him try to blend in with wealthy socialites while maintaining his cover is comedy gold, and Lawrence's commitment to the bit makes it work.

The younger cast members hold their own in the comedy department as well. The banter between the AMMO team members feels authentic rather than forced, and their reactions to Mike and Marcus's old-school methods provide some nice generational humor.

Technical Excellence Across the Board

Cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert has created a visual style that's distinctly Miami while avoiding the over-saturated, neon-soaked aesthetic that can make action movies look like music videos. The color palette is rich and vibrant without being distracting, and the camera work during action sequences is dynamic without being chaotic.

Lorne Balfe's score hits all the right notes, mixing orchestral action music with hip-hop influenced tracks that fit the Miami setting. The music enhances the action without overwhelming it, and the quieter character moments get appropriately subtle musical support.

The sound design deserves special recognition. Every gunshot, explosion, and car crash has real impact. The surround sound mix makes you feel like you're in the middle of the action, but dialogue remains clear even during the most chaotic sequences.

Emotional Depth Beneath the Explosions

What surprised me most about "Ride or Die" is how much emotional weight it carries. The film deals with themes of legacy, mortality, and what it means to be a father figure. Mike's relationship with Armando provides the movie's emotional core, exploring questions of redemption and second chances.

Marcus's health scare and his relationship with his expanding family add another layer of emotional complexity. The film never forgets that these characters have lives and relationships beyond their partnership, and those personal stakes make the action sequences more meaningful.

The movie also pays genuine tribute to the late Joe Pantoliano, whose Captain Howard was such an important part of the franchise's early films. Rather than simply writing the character out, the film makes his absence part of the story, and the way Mike and Marcus honor their mentor's memory feels earned rather than manipulative.

A Few Minor Speed Bumps

The film isn't perfect. The conspiracy plot gets a bit convoluted in the middle act, with enough double-crosses and revealed connections that keeping track of who's working for whom becomes occasionally challenging.

Some of the supporting villains feel underdeveloped. While the main antagonist gets enough screen time to feel like a credible threat, several of the secondary bad guys blend together and don't make much of an impression.

The film also suffers from some pacing issues in its second act. After a explosive opening and before the spectacular finale, there's a stretch where the momentum slows down as the characters piece together the conspiracy. It's not fatal to the film's success, but it's noticeable.

Franchise Evolution Done Right

"Bad Boys: Ride or Die" succeeds because it understands what made the franchise work in the first place while finding ways to evolve those elements. The core relationship between Mike and Marcus remains unchanged, but the film adds layers of complexity that come naturally from thirty years of shared history.

The action sequences are bigger and more elaborate than anything in previous films, but they never feel like empty spectacle. Each major set piece serves the story and character development, not just the trailer reel.

The film also does something that many legacy sequels fail to do: it makes you excited about the possibility of future installments. By the end of "Ride or Die," you're not thinking "I hope they don't make another one," you're thinking "I can't wait to see what they do next."

Cultural Impact and Box Office Success

Released during a summer that saw several major franchise entries disappoint both critically and commercially, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" proved that audiences are still hungry for well-crafted action entertainment. The film's success also demonstrated that Smith could still open a movie despite recent controversies.

The movie's portrayal of Miami and its diverse population feels authentic rather than stereotypical. The film celebrates the city's culture and energy without falling into tired clichés, which helps ground the more outrageous action elements in something that feels real.

Final Verdict

"Bad Boys: Ride or Die" is that rare legacy sequel that justifies its existence. It's not just trading on nostalgia - it's building on thirty years of character development and franchise mythology to create something that feels both familiar and fresh.

The action sequences are spectacular, the comedy works, and the emotional beats hit harder than they have any right to in a movie about two cops who solve problems by blowing things up. Smith and Lawrence remind us why they became movie stars in the first place, and the supporting cast enhances rather than detracts from their chemistry.

This is summer blockbuster entertainment at its finest - smart enough to engage your brain, exciting enough to get your adrenaline pumping, and funny enough to keep you smiling even when buildings are exploding around our heroes.

If this is indeed the final Bad Boys movie (and the title certainly suggests it might be), then the franchise is going out on a high note. But honestly, after watching "Ride or Die," I hope it's not the end. These characters and this world still have stories worth telling.

Bottom Line: A spectacular action extravaganza that proves legacy sequels can work when they're made with passion, creativity, and respect for what came before.

Perfect For: Fans of the franchise, action movie enthusiasts, anyone looking for expertly crafted summer entertainment, and viewers who appreciate the chemistry between great movie stars.

Skip If: You've never enjoyed the Bad Boys formula, you're sensitive to intense action violence, or you prefer more grounded, realistic action films.

Best Viewing Experience: See it in the biggest theater possible with premium sound. This is the kind of movie that benefits from theatrical presentation, where every explosion and car chase can be felt as well as seen. Perfect for a night out when you want to be thoroughly entertained.