Bad Boys for Life

I didn't want to return to this overcooked version of Miami, but the new creators not only torched the pond but the whole series. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah actually made the best installment. It's still doesn't make it too far without an infantile line, and more than one argument between the main duo takes several times longer than a joke should require, but it's still a much better estimate of what the audience can endure, and that level characterizes both the screenplay and the action twists. I also enjoy the main, overused twist, which may come to some as a surprise, but it simply suits my tastes that a seemingly invisible antagonist can suddenly turn into a respectable opponent. (23/12/2020)

I didn't believe it could be really good. I didn't really hope it would be. So I ended up having a hell of a time at the cinema. Bad Boys for Life is an excellent action comedy with the classic Jerry Bruckheimer signature that not only matches the previous installments, but in many ways surpasses them. True, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are not as imaginative and aggressive in the action scenes as Michael Bay used to be, but they easily fit into the "above average Hollywood craftsmanship" box and have enough ideas to keep the audience entertained during the shootouts and chases. Far more important here, however, is the humour and, above all, the perfectly natural chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The two clearly enjoyed their roles immensely, and they thoroughly enjoy returning after all these years. Their dialogue exchanges, bantering and mocking each other feels natural and genuine, but most of all, it's genuinely fun and funny, and you suddenly realise that they had no idea how much they had missed Mike and Marcus. Bad Boys for Life is the kind of honest action comedy that only the most optimistic could hope for. And despite a few slightly over-the-top twists, I'll admit that I don't really know what Bruckheimer and his crew should have done to make it better. This movie made me terribly happy. (15/01/2020)

The underdog turned out to be a January hit, both financially and critically, and Bad Boys 3 is definitely the best part of the whole trilogy and a nice start to 2020. Will Smith is back in great form and Martin Lawrence is back to his usual bubbly self, but his humour is great again. I was worried that without Michael Bay the action wouldn't have any bite, but Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are very confident and ambitious in the action scenes, helped by some great cinematography, a large dose of violence and plenty of interesting ideas. The bad guys are good too, especially the for me unknown Jacob Scipio, who does a solid job, and his mother played by Kate del Castillo is also good. I must also praise the music and the very fast pace, where action alternates with humour and there is no time to watch the clock, let alone think. Great fun that has style and flair. 8/10. (29/01/2020)

I spent a weekend with the whole trilogy and I’m raising my rating of the third instalment to four stars. At the cinema, I was bothered by the cheap digital visuals of the action scenes, which weren’t so noticeable on a large TV screen. The movie lacks Bay’s trademarks and compositional uniqueness, but when we take the third film’s screenplay into consideration, we see that the trademarks and visuals of the preceding films were really the only things that made them interesting. That’s true especially of the second one. Bad Boys for Life has the best screenplay by far, as it tastefully incorporates historical motifs, works cleverly and sympathetically with the characters, including the supporting characters such as the police team leaders and the distinctive bad guys, and even aptly makes fun of itself (“This is some serious telenovela shit!”). And the new, fresh team spirit evokes the beginning of a new Bad Boys era, which I believe will not eventually slip into the realm of retardation like the Fast & Furious franchise. At least as long as Arbi and Fallah are in charge. (22/01/2020)

I was hoping it would be good, but I wasn't expecting it to be that great. It's an action comedy without restraint, but unlike the previous films, it has an important admixture of fatality and impressive poignancy, really. The Expendables (2 and 3) could learn from this film how to mix and serve everything properly, how to make a comeback for the old gang (and a farewell party), how to introduce the new young team, and how to effectively have them work with the old without clashing. Mike and Marcus certainly deserved another movie, as did Will Smith and Martin Lawrence (he impressed me in particular with how well the more serious role suited him). The story is surprising but logical at the same time, the action scenes are just right without Michael Bay, and since it was all about flashbacks, I was very pleased to see the return of Mark Mancina's original theme music. (22/01/2020)