After 17 years of waiting, we finally got to see the bad boys
After 17 years of waiting, we finally got to see the bad boys of Miami grow up with Bad Boys For Life. And it was worth the wait. Without Michael Bay at the helm, the Miami cops actually got to grow a little, have some real heart-to-heart moments, and do and say things we just don’t see in Bay’s movies. Co-directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi managed to recharge the franchise and make a sequel both modern and nostalgic.
CAST: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Paola Nuñez, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Joe Pantoliano, Theresa Randle, Jacob Scipio, Massi Furlan, Michael Bay, DJ Khaled, Derrick Gilbert, Jay Dubb, Emily Towles, Scott Rapp, Happy Anderson, Melissa Kennemore, Jennifer Badger
GENRE: Thriller, Action, Crime
PRODUCTION: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Platinum Dunes, 2.0 Entertainment
One of the best things about Bad Boys For Life is chemistry between both Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. They both were able to pick up right where they left off from the previous film. Their interactions were just as funny as it was in Bad Boys II. (I personally believe that Bad Boys I was the funniest). When both of them are on screen together, the film just feels that much better. I think some of their best scenes that most people will enjoy will be the “Airplane conversation” and the “Spa Day” situation.
I really liked how Bad Boys For Life was able to balance a few things within its genre and presentation. While Director Michael Bay did not direct this movie (as he did director the previous Bad Boy films), Directors Adil and Bilall did a good job of maintaining the familiar vibe and tone of the previous films. From a technical standpoint, Bad Boys For Life displayed a very similar and familiar level of cinematography that has clearly become a new staple in the Bad Boys franchise. (Just think about that lower angle, rotating camera shot, as the Bad Boys start looking up at the sky because sh*t just got real.)
Furthermore, there’s a bit of genre mixing that’s going on in the film, and I believe it was handled appropriately. When it came to the comedic scenes, they didn’t get to the point where they were just corny. (Although they did come close a few times.) Thankfully, we received the recognizable brand of humor that was consistent for the characters in this franchise. In addition, Bad Boys For Life didn’t shy away from the drama either. I really appreciated how this film found a way to raise the stakes with certain story elements that are definitely deeper than any of the previous Bad Boy films