Bad Boys II (2003)

BAD BOYS II     * * * 1/2

2003 - USA
Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Gabrielle Union, Joe Pantoliano, Jordi
Molla, and Peter Stormare

Reviewed by Frankie Paiva

Finally a worthy adult summer blockbuster! Check your political correctness and low tolerance for mindless violence at the door for Bad Boys II, the awesome follow-up to 1995's Bad Boys.

Miami narcotics officers Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) are at it again, this time they're trying to track down the source of the largest shipment of X to enter America in history. Their case is complicated by bureaucratic formalities from their boss Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano), the presence of Marcus' sister Syd (Gabrielle Union), who's working undercover with the villain (and also happens to like Mike), and many dead bodies.

Those sensitive to graphic violence should avoid this film. There is a constant presence of gruesome gun battles, fights, explosions, and blood throughout the film, but it's never vulgar enough to be unpleasant to watch if you have a sense of humor. Only those with no outside knowledge of what they're going into see will be surprised. In addition, the swearing in this movie comes at you non-stop. It seems like every other word is either the f-word or some likeminded dirty phrase. Bad boys indeed.

Those accusing the film of being misogynistic, homophobic, or racist, however, are false. The only people portrayed in a bad light in the film are people who smoke a lot and the KKK.

Now that we've got all that out of the way, it's time to talk about what an awesome movie this was. The film, which is incredibly not overlong at 146 minutes, hits the ground running and doesn't let up from there. Beginning with one of the most memorable scenes in recent months (details would destroy it), the film builds and builds on its action until a fantastic and explosive finale. Cars, boats, and houses are all blown up with high style. It's a blast to watch.

What makes Bad Boys II more enjoyable than any other major blockbuster out right now is its humor. Screenwriters Ron Shelton and Jerry Stahl understand the need for laughter to break the tension in between and during action pieces. The same trick worked in Pirates of the Caribbean. The comedy is executed beautifully. Lawrence, who often comes off as brash and unforgiving in his comedy routines, gets to play more of the straight family man, the role usually reserved for his partner Will Smith. Both are fast-talking and hilarious in a variety of classic comedy set-ups. The scenes in the video store, in the funeral home, and at Marcus' front door still have me laughing. They alone are worth the price of admission.

Bad Boys II is definitely one of the summer's must-see action films. It doesn't try to be big and important, or pretend to have some higher purpose. It doesn't treat its characters like full-fledged human beings, but it isn't demeaning or making fun of them. It's just a great piece of entertainment for hip teens and adults. Bad Boys II is rough and dirty fun. It's about time.

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X-RAMR-ID: 35537
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1185098
X-RT-TitleID: 1123937
X-RT-AuthorID: 1334
X-RT-RatingText: 3.5/4