Bad Boys: Ride or Die

This is an interesting one, because it really should be an awful film, and yet somehow manages to be pretty okay.

As I mentioned in my review for "Bad Boys For Life", I think the first "Bad Boys" film is actually a very good action film, the second has aged really badly, and the third is better than it really should be - and, indeed, is better than the second.

The fourth film really shouldn't work, not least because the premise is that their beloved captain is being framed for crimes he didn't commit and they have to help him... except that he died in the third film. So that's weak to start with.

Still, I suppose the premise of a film doesn't actually need to be stellar - especially a dumb action film, it's really just about kicking off the action and then you go from there. And the action in this one, while being exactly what you'd expect from this type of film and nothing more, is still well handled.

The upshot of all of that is that "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" is somehow a step up on the okay-ish "Bad Boys For Life", and a big step up from "Bad Boys 2". It's not as good as the first film, but that's not a surprise.

(This does mean that "Bad Boys" is now joining "Mission: Impossible" and "The Fast and The Furious" in being a series that seems to be getting better as it goes on - and, in all three cases, after a very weak second instalment. Though I think they may have left it a bit too late between the second and third films for it to have the legs for a long run, unless they can find a way to pass the torch on.)

Anyway, as regards this film my recommendation is the same as for the third: if you enjoyed "Bad Boys" you'll probably enjoy this; if you didn't you almost certainly won't. And if you have a subscription to the appropriate service (currently Netflix - I don't know if that's their permanent home) then it's worth a watch. But, as always, I wouldn't subscribe just for this.