Bad Boys 4 continues the explosive tale of Miami’s most reckless cops, but this time it seems they’ve misplaced their logic as well as their magic. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, this installment reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence for a round of chaotic action and questionable decision-making. (Also read: Hollywood’s ‘Bad Boy’ Will Smith gives a glimpse of real action shot vs reel action show. Watch viral video,
If you’re expecting to relive the thrills and witty scenes from the previous films, get ready for a ride that’s a roundabout affair, filled with pointless cameos and an unnecessarily complicated plot.
Plot
The story begins with a dramatic event: junk-food-loving police officer Marcus suffers a heart attack during Mike’s wedding to his new girlfriend Christine (Melanie Liburd). The incident introduces a new, idiosyncratic spirituality to Marcus’ character that seems strangely out of place given his previous portrayals. Meanwhile, Mike is struggling with panic attacks stemming from unresolved guilt for his son Armando (Jacob Scipio), whose dark storyline was the focus of Bad Boys for Life.
The story gets even more interesting when Marcus and Mike discover that their late boss, Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano), is being framed for accepting bribes by evil cartel bosses. This plot is meant to divert attention from the rampant corruption within the system. True to form, Marcus and Mike decide to work outside the law to bring the real criminals to justice, a narrative device that has become a staple of the franchise.
Unnecessary additions
The inclusion of modern influencers like Jay Shetty and Khabie, as well as the appearances of Tiffany Haddish and DJ Khaled, feel forced and unnecessary. Their presence seems like a desperate attempt to inject contemporary relevance into the film, but it only highlights the lack of a compelling plot. The action sequences, which feature rapid cuts and excessive explosions, seem designed to distract from the fact that both lead actors are no longer in their prime. Rather than adapting the action to their age, the filmmakers opted to hide it with frantic editing and cliched set pieces.
There is a heavy emphasis on nostalgia, with numerous nods to the previous three films. However, these callbacks often come across as lazy attempts to recapture the magic of the previous films rather than adding any meaningful depth to the current story. However, the callbacks involving Reggie (Marcus’ son-in-law), who is now a Marine and saves Marcus’ family, work well and provide some satisfaction as the police finally decide to stop threatening him.
Marcus’ newfound sense of joy in life and comedic tone do not mesh well with the darker aspects of the film, making his character feel inconsistent and out of sync with the rest of the narrative.
Despite its 115-minute runtime, Bad Boys 4 feels overly long and drawn out. The initial promise soon gives way to a boring and predictable plot that fails to captivate. The film’s pace is slow, and by the end, viewers are left wondering what happened to the vibrant energy and chemistry that defined the previous installments.
Overall, it struggles to find its footing amid a convoluted plot, misplaced comedic elements, and an over-reliance on action cliches. While Martin Lawrence’s comedic talent still shines through, it’s not enough to save the film from its many shortcomings. Fans of the franchise may find a few moments worth enjoying, but overall, this installment will leave them hoping that perhaps this is the final installment, after which the two take a day off from the Miami PD!
