Bad Boys for Life

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. (01/15/2020)

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. (12/23/2020)

An unbelievably pleasant surprise. The directors found a way how to film a high quality nineties action movie with a contemporary feeling and in some places even an innovative camera during the action scenes. I almost have a feeling that this is one of the few comebacks from the nineties which was really great. The story is fine, the action is great and with the performances it got back to time of the first two movies. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are even after 20 years the same cool guys with great lines that the viewer enjoys a lot. One of the biggest surprises that Hollywood had in store for me in the last few years. (09/24/2020)

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. (01/29/2020)

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. (01/22/2020)