Martin Lawrence and Will Smith may have lost a step or two since they last worked together but “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” doesn’t ignore the obvious. In the fourth installment in the franchise, Lawrence’s character suffers a heart attack; Smith’s deals with relationship woes (and, yes, a slap). Both, however, are determined to learn who framed their friend and tried to make him the focus of a drug investigation.
Oddly enough, the new stance works. The two rely on the help of associates, work their way around Miami and wind up in an abandoned theme park where a giant gator adds one more layer of entertainment. In a closing segment, “Ride or Die” has all the excitement of the first “Bad Boys” film.
It doesn’t send any messages, but it does say there’s still life in the two actors. Will Smith, left, and Martin Lawrence in "Bad Boys: Ride or Die." Lawrence, who looked like he was headed to a guest spot on “The Neighborhood,” rallies here and fends off those ideas that he’s too old for this kind of work.
After the heart attack, he thinks his invincible and demonstrates as much with his partner. Smith pulls back a bit but doesn’t disappear. “Ride or Die” is a reset that lets him move past the Academy Awards slap (Lawrence helps).
The two banter about aging, lean in on family and don’t go down dark alleys that don’t produce results. “Ride or Die” is quite entertaining in spots but don’t expect those star cameos to linger. If you miss them, th.
