“Bad Boys 4” brings back the beloved duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the film reunites Smith and Lawrence as Miami’s most reckless cops, Mike and Marcus in the new installment of Bad Boys

Aiming to blend action, comedy, and drama this time around, the film needs help to recapture the magic of its predecessors. The story begins with Marcus, the junk-food-loving cop, experiencing a near-fatal heart attack at Mike’s wedding to Christine (Melanie Liburd). This incident introduces an out-of-place spiritual aspect to Marcus’s character. Meanwhile, Mike deals with panic attacks and unresolved guilt over his son Armando (Jacob Scipio). The plot thickens as they discover that their late boss, Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano), is being framed for taking bribes by cartel bosses. True to the franchise’s form, Mike and Marcus operate outside the law to bring the culprits to justice. Despite its attempts to modernize, the film needs to catch up.

Cameos by influencers like Jay Shetty and Khaby, along with Tiffany Haddish and DJ Khaled, feel forced and add little to the plot. The action sequences, marked by rapid cuts and excessive explosions, are designed to hide the fact that both lead actors are no longer in their prime. Nostalgia is heavily leaned upon but often comes across as lazy attempts to recapture the past. However, the callbacks involving Reggie, Marcus’ son-in-law, now a Marine, work well, adding some depth to the story. Marcus’s role as comic relief feels disjointed, clashing with the film’s darker undertones. The initial promise gives way to a tedious plot that fails to engage. The film’s pacing suffers, leaving viewers questioning the loss of vibrant energy and chemistry that defined earlier installments. Fans might find some enjoyment in this installment, but they hope it’s the final one for the duo from Miami PD.