'Bad Boys: Rise or Die' Review Round-up: Will Smith still feels aftershocks of Chris Rock slap as movie gets panned
Contains spoilers for 'Bad Boys: Rise or Die'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A wave of nostalgia greets the return of the much-loved detective team of Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) in 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die.'
Directed by Adil and Bilall, the action comedy movie follows Mike and Marcus as they investigate corruption within the Miami Police Department when their late Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is accused of wrongdoing.
When the film was initially announced, fans were ecstatic as Will Smith would get a great chance to make a comeback after being in the 'entanglement' meme fiasco.
Additionally, nobody could forget the historic Oscar event where Will slapped Chris Rock on stage after accusing him of insulting his wife, Jada Smith, garnering the ire of fans and critics alike.
However, contrary to expectations, the film is being widely lambasted by critics, who blame the film's weak storyline for its failure.
Will Smith's action-comedy movie 'Bad Boys: Rise or Die’ garners negative reviews
The latest Mike and Marcus movie has been described as 'invulnerably cartoonish' by The Daily Beast reviewer Nick Schager. Schager notes that Smith appears to be working quite hard to exude intimidating, bombastic manliness in the movie.
Criticizing the body camera action scenes, The Hollywood Reporter critic Frank Scheck highlights that the outcome is 'weird' rather than 'immersive'. Furthermore, Scheck observes that Smith's tossing a rifle with a camera attached to Lawrence is clearly intended to be virtuoso, but it feels ridiculous.
While bemoaning the lackluster use of female characters and the reveal of a 'surprise' villain that was predictable from the start, Empire critic Nick De Semlyen observes that the film is 'more delirious' and adds that it could only have potential if it was a little more streamlined and less hectic.
Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post gives the film two stars, calling it a 'mediocre sequel' to 2020's 'Bad Boys for Life'. He goes on to say that while the film has a conventional plot and acceptable supporting performers, Smith's performance is a big setback for the movie as reliant on the chemistry of its two leads as this one.
Reviewer Matt Fernandez of Geeks of Color describes the film as a summer popcorn flick with a paper-thin and trope-heavy plot, advising viewers to switch off their minds and let the film flow without paying close attention to the storyline.
He further notes that the movie feels like a collage of detective tropes, cliches, and the movie's legendary sequences hastily slapped together to play on the audience's nostalgia.
Is 'Bad Boys: Rise or Die' worth watching?
Given that critics are thrashing the movie left and right, the movie still deserves a chance, given the nostalgic value it carries. At least those who loved the original flicks and are eager to see Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett back in action should give the film a chance.
In addition, the movie features thoughtless action, which may appeal to action fans.You can anticipate thrilling vehicle chases, intense shootouts, and dramatic stunts that will grip your attention. The movie retains the thrilling exhilaration that has typified the 'Bad Boys' genre.
While 'Bad Boys: Rise or Die' may not be a critical favorite, it has plenty to offer fans of the franchise and action movie lovers. So, if you've enjoyed prior 'Bad Boys' films, 'Bad Boys: Rise or Die' is definitely worth watching at least once.
'Bad Boys: Rise or Die' trailer