The fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, picks up four years after the events of Bad Boys for Life, where Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) was killed, and Miami PD Detective Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) discovered that he had a son he never know about, Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio), who was locked up for the murder.
Mike has recovered from his injuries, thanks to physical therapist Christine (Melanie Liburd), and the two are now getting married. But Mike’s partner, Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), has a bit of a health scare at the wedding, which leads to a vision of their late captain telling him it’s not his time. When Marcus awakens in the hospital, he takes these words to heart, believing he is now invincible—though his wife Theresa (Tasha Smith) has other ideas, putting her husband on a very restrictive diet. Soon after, the guys get word from Captain Rita Secada (Paola Nuñez) and her new boyfriend, mayoral candidate Adam Lockwood (Ioan Gruffudd), that there is evidence mounting that their former captain had been corrupt and aiding the cartel. Mike and Marcus refuse to believe this, and set out to prove Conrad’s innocence, joining forces with AMMO (Advanced Miami Metro Operations) team members Kelly (Vanessa Hudgens) & Dorn (Alexander Ludwig).
Mike believes that someone is trying to frame the captain, and it could be the same man who had him murdered, James McGrath (Eric Dane). The only person who can ID this mystery man is Mike’s newly-discovered illegitimate son/former cartel member Armando Aretas. So Mike arranges to get Armando transferred from prison to help with the investigation. However, McGrath is a former Army Ranger, and a resourceful and vengeful foe, who will stop at nothing to keep Armando, Mike and Marcus quiet—either by silencing them permanently, threatening their families, or making them look as guilty as he did the captain. This sends Mike and Marcus on the run, not knowing who they can trust as they try to ID and take down McGrath and clear everyone’s names. Meanwhile, when U.S. Marshall Judy Howard (Rhea Seehorn) learns that Armando, the man who killed her father, is out of prison, she’s dead set on recapturing him. And so Mike and Marcus find themselves on another action-packed and deadly mission, pursued by several parties out to capture or kill them.
I have to admit that while I enjoyed the previous Bad Boys films, Bad Boys: Ride or Die was a film I didn’t want to see—I had no interest in watching Will Smith in anything after witnessing him assault Chris Rock on live TV. However, I put that aside, and ended up really enjoying this movie. It has all of the action and humor you’d expect from the franchise, amped up to 11. Smith and Lawrence have amazing chemistry and comedic timing, playing off one another hilariously. Weaved into the non-stop action are these ongoing comedic storylines, such as Marcus trying to get his hands on some unhealthy food, or acting reckless because in his vision Captain Howard told him he wasn’t going to die. This fourth installment also brings back so many characters from the previous films, including the extended family and coworkers. Marcus’ Marine son-in-law, Reggie (Dennis Greene) gets an amazing (and funny) action sequence all of his own, and there is a lot of great material with AMMO agents Kelly & Dorn, who are now an awkward couple. Plus, we get the return of characters like Manny The Butcher (DJ Khaled) & conman-turned-artist Fletcher (John Salley), but in a way that feels organic and natural to the story.
The film is directed by Adil & Bilall, who also directed the previous installment, Bad Boys for Life, but they seem to have amped up the creativity even more this time. The action scenes are stellar, taking the viewer on a wild ride that includes fights in a night club/art gallery, fiery car chases, mid-air brawls, a home invasion, deadly reptiles, and more. The filmmakers make use of slow motion, long single shots that flow through the action, and special rigs that give some scenes a first person shooter feel, which all help add to the excitement. It feels like the film is constantly moving from one action set piece to the next, but in a way that still flows with the story. In addition to the action and mystery as the story takes several twists and turns, there is also so much humor strewn throughout. It’s just a really enjoyable ride that I would definitely watch again.
Sony’s 4K release looks and sounds fantastic. The presentation looks pristine, with a clean, clear picture, and an amazing level of detail&mdas;you can see every pore and bead of sweat on faces, and no matter how quick the action, or dark the setting, everything looks great. The audio track is also quite impressive, especially during the action sequences as bullets, explosions and chaos come from every direction. The film’s simple but catchy score also sounds great (and is still stuck in my head). The 4K release includes both a 4K disc and a Blu-ray disc placed on either side of a standard UHD case, covered with a carboard slipcover. An insert provides redemption instructions for a 4K Movies Anywhere-compatible digital copy of the film. The bonus material can be found on the Blu-ray disc, and consists of over 15 minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes with the cast/crew, a gag reel, and some deleted scenes. The film also includes a fun new post-credits scene that wasn’t seen in theaters.
What’s Included:
Film: (1:55:58)
- 2160p / Widescreen 2.39:1
- Dolby Vision / HDR10
- Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 compatible), English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Audio Descriptive Service, French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French Audio Descriptive Service, Spanish 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Thai 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
- Subtitles: English, English SDH, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, Korean, Spanish, Thai
- 1080p / Widescreen 2.39:1
- Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Audio Descriptive Service, French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French Audio Descriptive Service, Spanish 5.1, Thai 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
- Subtitles: English, English SDH, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, Korean, Spanish, Thai
- 4K Digital Copy, redeemable via Movies Anywhere or Fandango at Home
- Will & Martin Chemistry, Legacy & Laughs (3:43)
The cast and crew discuss the chemistry between Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with executive producer Barry Waldman, co-directors Bilall Fallah & Adil El Arbi, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and stars Martin Lawrence (“Marcus Burnett”) Will Smith (“Mike Lowrey”), Joe Pantoliano (“Captain Conrad Howard”), Vanessa Hudgens (“Kelly”), Jacob Scipio (“Armando”), Tasha Smith (“Theresa”) & Alexander Ludwig (“Dorn”). - Fights, Camera, Action (3:59)
The cast and crew discuss the action and fight sequences, the use of practical effects, the custom body-mount rig they developed, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with co-directors Bilall Fallah & Adil El Arbi, producer Doug Belgrad, cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert, and stars Eric Dane (“McGrath”), Alexander Ludwig, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Jacob Scipio, Dennis McDonald (“Reggie”) & Vanessa Hudgens, Paola Nuñez (“Rita”). - Outtakes & Bloopers (3:12)
Laugh along with with the cast as they have fun on set. - The Bruckheimer Legacy: Crafting Bad Boys & Beyond (3:50)
The cast and crew talk about working with Jerry Bruckheimer and the directors, and why the Bad Boys franchise has endured for so long. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with producer Barry Waldman, producer Doug Belgrad, co-directors Bilall Fallah & Adil El Arbi, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and stars Jacob Scipio, Vanessa Hudgens, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Joe Pantoliano & Paola Nuñez. - Partners in Crime (5:23)
The cast and crew talk about bringing together all of the characters in the extended Bad Boys family. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with -directors Bilall Fallah & Adil El Arbi, producer Doug Belgrad, and stars Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Jacob Scipio, Paola Nuñez, Alexander Ludwig, Vanessa Hudgens, Dennis McDonald, Tasha Smith, Eric Dane & DJ Khaled (“Manny”). - Deleted Scenes (6:50)
Collection of 5 deleted scenes. Play All, or select from:- Wedding Gossip (1:31)
Kelly and Dorn gossip about the wedding guests before and after Mike meets Rita’s date. - Welcome to the Family (1:59)
Dorn cautions Mike before he introduces his son to his wife. - Life Lessons (:47)
Marcus tries to get some bacon during a family breakfast. - Joy Ride (1:50)
Marcus drives like a maniac with Mike in the passenger seat, thinking he’s immune to death. - Gathering Evidence (1:02)
Kelly and Dorn gather evidence from a storage unit.
- Wedding Gossip (1:31)
- Previews (6:57)
Trailers for The Equalizer 3, Gran Turismo, and Tarot play back-to-back.
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4K UHD:
Blu-ray:
Digital (Limited time offer):
Extras:
Only the Previews can also be found on the 4K disc, the rest of the bonus material resides on the Blu-ray.
Final Thoughts:
Bad Boys: Ride or Die may just be the best film of the franchise yet, providing an interesting story, lots of laughs, and some incredible action sequences. The filmmakers make use of some creative camera techniques to add to the unique and cinematic feel. In addition this fourth installment brings back many characters from previous films, making the franchise feel more like one continuous universe. Sony’s 4K release looks and sounds amazing, and is a must own for any fan of the franchise.
Bad Boys: Ride Or Die – UHD/BD Combo + Digital + Steelbook [Blu-ray]
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Bad Boys: Ride Or Die – UHD/BD Combo + Digital [Blu-ray]
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Bad Boys: Ride Or Die – Blu-ray + Digital
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Bad Boys: Ride Or Die – DVD + Digital
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Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Bonus X-Ray Edition)
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