Bad Boys 4 is far from a disappointment. If you’re looking to laugh and enjoy top-notch action scenes at the cinema, you won’t find anything better.
Twenty-nine years after Michael Bay’s original Bad Boys, the bad boys are back with a fourth installment that still has plenty to offer audiences. It’s incredible that Bad Boys managed to make a comeback with such finesse, refreshing their style four years ago to deliver a modern twist on the 90s action-comedy vibe. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah were initially doubted, but they proved everyone wrong. Few expected them to succeed again, but they did. The first half-hour of this latest sequel doesn’t fully convince, as some jokes fall flat, action is sparse, and Marcus (Martin Lawrence) goes through a strange spiritual “awakening.” While his pacifist side worked in the third film, here it feels overdone and more annoying than meaningful, though it does lead to some decent jokes in the second half.
The first half of the film relies heavily on the chemistry between Marcus and Mike (Will Smith), and the directors are fortunate that the actors have it in spades. Some viewers will appreciate spending more time with these characters outside of gunfights. However, the family idyll is disrupted by news that their friend and late captain Howard has been accused of long-term corruption.
His “bad boys” are determined to clear his name at all costs, leading them to uncover a major conspiracy within the police force. Coincidentally, they find themselves on the run from the law, alongside Mike’s son Armando. While Armando was a cliché villain with a predictable twist in the third film, he works exceptionally well in the fourth. His strained relationship with his father Mike is handled with care, taking time before attempting any reconciliation. This fresh and authentic approach to a typically clichéd storyline is refreshing. It’s a pity that Armando doesn’t get more screen time and more scenes with Mike. The same goes for the character Judy (Rhea Seehorn from Better Call Saul), who plays the daughter of the late Captain Howard.
The film picks up pace in the second half, becoming more dynamic, funnier, wittier, action-packed, and original. The action sequences in the fourth installment are even better than in the third, especially the finale. Directors, alongside cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert, have devised unique camera angles and transitions, making even ordinary action scenes stand out as well-crafted adrenaline-fueled sequences.
In the second half, the jokes and banter between the main characters improve significantly, remaining fresh and non-repetitive even after four films, which is a remarkable achievement amidst the sea of average and cringe-worthy comedies in modern Hollywood. Viewers will also enjoy how the filmmakers incorporated the infamous Will Smith slap in a scene that metaphorically redeems Will within the film and his personal life.
Bad Boys 4 stumbles with the odd storyline involving the enlightened Marcus and the predictable, lackluster villains. Several early jokes don’t land, Marcus’s wife Theresa, played by a new actress, feels like a completely different (and weaker) character, and the lack of screen time for supporting characters is disappointing. At 90 minutes, it’s the shortest in the series, which is unfortunate because it could have used another 20 minutes.
On the other hand, once the film picks up momentum, it doesn’t stop, maintaining a pace that keeps the audience engaged and enjoying the great chemistry between the actors. The jokes improve with every half-hour, culminating in laugh-out-loud moments by the end. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence complement each other perfectly, their contrasting personalities inseparable.
The film combines witty lines with incredible action, featuring original and refreshing camera tricks, likable actors, and entertaining characters. With a 30-year history, the creators can do nostalgic and cool things with the characters, benefiting this time from the legendary presence of Marcus’s brother-in-law Reggie.
