Bad Boys 2 (2003), Run-time 147mins,
Cert 15. Director - Michael Bay. Writers - Marianne Wibberley, Cormac Wibberley, Ron Shelton & Jerry Stahl. Starring - Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jordi Molla, Gabrielle Union, Peter Stormare, Theresa Randle & Joe Pantoliano. |
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I liked Bad Boys
a lot. The critics hated it, but I loved the mix of comedy and action. It
harkened back to the 80’s when such violent, funny buddy cop films were
being churned out seemingly every other week. It took 8 years to re-assemble
the Bad Boys team for the sequel and if part 2 isn’t quite up to the
standard of the first film then it does still hold enough lure for fans to
get their kicks. At 147 minutes Bad Boys 2 isn’t the
shortest film from recent memory. But, to give the film credit it is never
boring. Michael Bay ensures that there is always something for the eyes to
do with his camera roaming around seemingly of its own free will. During
action scenes the camera ducks and weaves through the action. In one bravado
scene the camera swirls dizzyingly around the action through walls and glass
doors. Bay took a lot of flack after Pearl
Harbour, but few can discount the mans chops when it comes to directing
action. Car chases (times 3), shoot outs (too many to remember) and Mexican
standoffs proliferate the film and all are exhilarating and get the blood
pumping. Each scene looks great as bay uses filters, fast cuts, slow-motion
and bullet time to make the action leap off the screen. Bay also doesn’t
hold back with the blood and guts. This is a very violent film with some
pretty nasty scenes. One of the main reasons that I loved
the first film so much was the chemistry between Smith and Lawrence. The
witty banter and sly digs that they indulged in lifted the film above your
average buddy cop action film for me. It’s a bit of a disappointment then
that in the sequel something seems to be a little off. Sure, they still swap
the banter and barbs, but little of the dialogue is as memorable as the
first film and some of it just plain isn’t funny. It may have something to do with the
angle that the Martin Lawrence character is coming from. He is tired of his
rage so he is seeing a new age therapist. I really didn’t care for this idea
and the character of Marcus suffered and, through that, the duo suffered.
Luckily the new age nonsense seems to be ditched about halfway through and
it’s pretty much business as usual after that. In-fact the films funniest scene may
be better than anything from the first film. Marcus’ daughter is going on
her first date so he and Mike proceed to grill the prospective suitor on the
doorstep. It’s crass, offensive and below the belt stuff, but it’s funny as
hell (Note: this is the scene that Roger Ebert described as “ugly” and
“distasteful”). Films like this are all about the
action and the comedy, the quality of acting really isn’t a concern. That
said Will smith is a competent actor and it’s refreshing to see him in an
adult movie mixing it up and swearing. I really don’t care much for Martin
Lawrence in his other films, but it seems that Smith brings the best out in
him. Joey Pants is back as their captain and fits the standard movie police
captain role nicely (although he is also partaking in the new age therapy). Gabrielle Union plays Marcus’ sister
Syd and is both easy on the eye and a fair enough actress. Nice to see Peter
Stormare as a Russian mobster, although the film seems to forget about him
halfway through and he isn’t seen again until a waste of a scene later in
the film. Henry Rollins also disappears after an important role early in the
film. The two Cuban cops from the first film have been replaced by a
different pair of Cuban cops. Not sure why they were replaced, but they do a
decent job at any rate. One thing I really didn’t care for was
Jordi Molla as the main bad guy. He is little more than low rent Tony
Montana with all the clichés you would expect from such a character. His
gang of goons is also lacking when compared to the group from the first
film. They are all faceless with no personality. Rap star Dr Dre provides much of the
films score and it’s a good effort from him (in what is his first stab at
scoring a movie). The driving beats are perfect for the films many action
scenes. The rest of the films music is made up of many of raps current big
names 50 Cent, Puff Daddy, Snoop Dog and Jay-Z amongst others. Whilst Bad Boys 2 is not quite as good
as the first film, there is enough action, comedy, fine female forms and
style here to satisfy both fans of the original film and anybody on the look
out for a no-brain action film to kick back and relax to.
Premise - Miami TNT
(Tactical Narcotics Team) cops Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike
Lowrey (Will Smith) are trailing a huge import of ecstasy into the US by
drug baron Johnny Tapia (Jordi Molla). Things are complicated by Marcus'
sister Syd (Gabrielle Union) being in town working undercover for the DEA on
the same case.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Poster Quote – Good Boys. If you enjoyed Bad Boys 2 then check out – Bad Boys, xXx, 2 Fast 2 Furious. |
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