There are a handful of truly funny moments, some big action pieces, and Smith is really trying his hardest - which at times makes Lawrence’s stilted delivery more obvious.
Maybe it’s a sign of our post-#MeToo times, but the film’s sexuality feels muted, limited to a level of scantily-clad background extras that stay beneath the PG-13 level of the “Fast and Furious” franchise.
“Bad Boys for Life” also ticks most of the usual R-rated boxes, peppering in consistent profanity and vulgarity alongside a good deal of bloody action violence. The awkward blend of action, comedy and drama has its moments, enough to be entertaining in a guilty pleasure kind of way, but the back and forth creates a tonal mess, and overall the film feels like a throwback to an era that passed its expiration date.
#BAD BOYS FOR LIFE 2020 SERIES#
The first two films in the series were directed by a pre-“Transformers” Michael Bay, and though his more extreme tendencies are toned down, new directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah still pack “Bad Boys for Life” with plenty of content that defined the big dumb funny action extravaganza. Mike’s captain (Joe Pantoliano), his ex Rita (Paola Nunez), and a hotshot team of young upstarts would all prefer the detective hang it up while he still has the option. Marcus isn’t the only one who thinks his partner should stay out of the investigation. Will Smith, left, and Martin Lawrence in a scene from the film “Bad Boys for Life.” Columbia Pictures Mike says Bad Boys are for life, but Marcus thinks they should put more value on the “life” part. Mike survives an early attempt on his life, but struggles to convince Marcus to take up the mantle with him and go after the baddies. The trajectory is pretty routine, even if a few twists try to liven things up. Her first task is to send her son Armando (Jacob Scipio) on an assassination spree to eliminate all the key parties behind her first incarceration, and wouldn’t you know it, Lowery is at the top of her hit list.
#BAD BOYS FOR LIFE 2020 MOVIE#
It’s a traditional setup for a “one last ride” movie - and that’s pretty much what we get when Isabel Aretas (Kate del Castillo), the widow of a former Mexican drug kingpin, busts out of prison and decides to reestablish the family business in Miami.
The call of family has lured Marcus into retirement, but career bachelor Mike still hasn’t evolved past the hot-headed, live-wire, agitate-your-captain stage, even if the gap between he and his younger peers is becoming increasingly obvious. Detective Burnett is officially a grandfather.Īlmost 25 years into their careers, Mike and Marcus are at very different points in life. Eventually, though, detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) reach their unlikely destination: a maternity ward. The story jumps right in with an over-the-top high-speed chase through downtown Miami that has the leads driving so irresponsibly, it isn’t clear if the other squad cars are chasing them. But even if this buddy cop action drama rises well above the level of embarrassing, its violent, bombastic chest-thumping style feels limited to fans of the first two films. “Bad Boys for Life,” the new third installment in the “Bad Boys” series, is a throwback to a different era of action movies, that is well aware of the limitations of its middle-aged stars. SALT LAKE CITY - When you’ve got a 17-year gap between sequels, the biggest question isn’t “will it be good?,”, but “will it be embarrassing?” For more, check out our interview with the directors and with Ludwig and Melton.“ BAD BOYS FOR LIFE” - 2½ stars - Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Alexander Ludwig, Vanessa Hudgens, Kate del Castillo, Jacob Scipio, Joe Pantoliano, Paola Nunez R (strong, bloody violence, language throughout, sexual references and brief drug use) running time: 124 minutes The film comes to digital March 31 and 4K/blu-ray April 21. If you're missing the great outdoors and wanna see the best of the best blow it up, this film'll scratch your itch and thensome.Ĭheck out all the Bad Boys for Life bonus features intel below. The bonus features available in both digital and blu-ray copies include interviews with the filmmakers and stars, making-of documentaries, deleted scenes, a gag reel, a freaking alternate ending, and a guided tour of the Bad Boys franchise from Bruckheimer himself. It was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Will Smith, Doug Belgrad, Chad Oman, Barry Waldman, Mike Stenson, and James Lassiter written by Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, and Joe Carnahan and directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah.
Bad Boys for Life also stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Paola Nuñez, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam and Joe Pantoliano.