Bad Boys For Life

Official Australian release date: 16/1/20. Viewed: 16/1/20.

Directors: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah

Actors: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Paola Nunez, Jacob Scipio

Genre: Action

Rating: MA

  

  

‘Bad Boys For Life’ is the third film in the franchise – and while perhaps unnecessary, three films in 25 years is not really saturation, so it can get away with it. It’s set up as a finale, but isn’t really – Mike (Smith) and Marcus (Lawrence) are back as the smart-ass Miami detectives who drive around dangerously in their Porsche – or minivan. Some things have changed since the first two films, but not much – Howard (Pantoliano) is still the Captain, they still don’t play by the rules, and they still call themselves “bad boys” often. This time, a Mexican gangster’s wife, Isabel (del Castillo) and her son Armando (Scipio) are after revenge on Mike for killing Isabel’s husband.

There’s a couple of ‘twists’ – none of which are as big or impactful as they’re supposed to be. Smith and Lawrence are still good together, always wisecracking and joking with each other, but there’s not really many overtly funny moments or laughs. They team up with the AMMO team, a new police squad led by Lieutenant Rita (Nunez) and her three Millennials (Hudgens, Ludwig and Melton), who are presumably there for the sequel(s), if/when Mike & Marcus retire. AMMO are OK, but don’t provide too much.

There’s still a few car chases, lots of explosions and unlikely stunts, and plenty of gun battles. If you’ve seen the first two, you know what to expect. It’s not a bad action/buddy-cop film, but – can’t believe I’m saying this – it might actually miss Michael Bay directing. At times, it takes itself far too seriously and is more earnest than it probably should be. Could’ve done with a bit more humour and fun.

Overall: Decent enough cop-action film with Smith almost returning to form.

Gav's Rating: 3 stars.