Bad Boys II (2003)

Directed by: Michael Bay | 147 minutes | action, comedy, crime, thriller | Actors: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Gabrielle Union, Jordi Mollà, Peter Stormare, Theresa Randle, Joe Pantoliano, Michael Shannon, Jon Seda, Yul Vazquez, Jason Manuel Olazabal, Otto Sanchez, Henry Rollins, Antoni Corone, Gary Nickens

‘Bad Boys II’ (2003) is the sequel that appears eight years after its predecessor ‘Bad Boys’ (1995). It is not clear why we had to wait eight years. The long time between the two parts does not help the sequel. How many viewers even remember how the first part ended? An introduction at the beginning of the film should ensure that everyone (again) knows who is who. For those who are introduced to the Bad Boys (Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey) for the first time, the intro comes across as brief. The experienced Bad Boys viewer will therefore find this superfluous. Unfortunately, the script is one of a dozen. A typical Michael Bay/Jerry Bruckheimer production (they previously made ‘The Rock’, ‘Armageddon’ and ‘Pearl Harbor’), which is full of action, explosions and chases. In fact, the creators haven’t even bothered to fit the action, explosions and chases into a decent story, and the viewer quickly gets lost in the middle of it all.

Miraculously, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence seem to know what they are doing, but they are not convincing. The chemistry that brought something extra in ‘Bad Boys’ has completely disappeared here. They also don’t have fun or striking one-liners, but clichés that they dedicate well. The jokes, which in the first part were responsible for the necessary moments of laughter, are of a banal and low level in the second part. The addition of the character Syd (Gabrielle Union) cannot turn the tide either. Gabrielle Union completely misses the point with her portrayal of Syd, who works as an infiltrator in the drug scene. There is nothing more than beautiful parading and seductive laughter.

Where you can expect a build-up of tension in an action film like this, it is hard to find here. Given the length of the film (147 minutes) you would say that the makers have had enough time for this. The film is interesting enough for lovers of lavish explosions and long action scenes, which consist of spectacular chases in overpriced cars and shootings. Others, despite the names of famous actors on the bill, should ignore this film.