Bad Boys

Bad Boys is a prime example of a 90s action comedy that has been mercilessly affected by the ravages of time. If the film had less talk and more action, it certainly wouldn't have been a bad thing. At times, some of the characters got on my nerves with their annoying speeches. The final action set-piece had gusto, and Michael Bay's fondness for explosions was already evident here. There were a few humorous moments, but a lot of them didn't work at all. A weaker three stars! (05/27/2020)

I don’t like Michael Bay films very much (with the honourable exception of The Rock), and I watched Bad Boys only because I didn’t have anything else to do and didn’t want to think. At best, I expected that the megalomaniac action wouldn’t be boring and that I wouldn’t drown in pathos. Be lo and behold! Bad Boys doesn’t have that much action or pathos. It’s a better film than Transformers or Pearl Harbour, but nothing that would make me jump in joy. (06/29/2011)

Here, nostalgia still prevails, as this is a film that captivated me back in the late 90s, and I fell in love with the characters so wonderfully - meaning entertainingly - portrayed by Smith and Lawrence. It still endures - mainly because I enjoy buddy movies - although Bay's grandiose and melodramatic style is just so apparent and so off-putting here. (04/27/2017)

Bad Boys, or else the directing debut of Michael Bay, a guy who if he filmed a pile of manure, it would look effective. Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in roles that fit them like a glove. Tchéky Karyo as the nicely slippery murderer with no morals who kills people for failing to brush their teeth after dinner. Excellent verbal exchanges are framed by sweet action sequences that will entertain you even on the worst day of your life. (11/21/2006)

Pragmatically speaking, the first Bad Boys isn’t an exceptional picture in any way. More explosive, better written and filmed action pictures certainly exist; it’s just that very few of them can boast such a laid-back atmosphere. This is not yet Bay’s (high) standard either in terms of directing or pace, but maybe this is why the first Bad Boys is so pleasant. It is more reserved than his later pictures. It certainly has some problem areas, but overall it is simply the essence of cool. (08/13/2007)