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It's been 17 years since Bad Boys 2 hit our screens and a lot has happened since the sequel.
Michael Bay is no longer in the director's seat (although he has a cameo as MC at a wedding), Martin Lawrence's shine has kinder dwindled since his Martin and Big Momma days and Will Smith has just come off a very lukewarm Gemini Man and has not had a solid hit on circuit for a while.
So, like the two buddy cops they are playing, time has caught up with the actors and their characters.
The big question throughout the movie is: do we still need The Bad Boys franchise? Well, let's dig in for the answer...
Joe Carnahan (Screenwriter of Narc and The A-Team) and his co-writing team do a great job in acknowledging the fact that the times have changed. The duo is not at the same place they were in the 90s.
Marcus is now a grandfather, the eyes don't see as well, his dad bod has had its way with him whilst Mike Lowrey's sex symbol status is not such a great look after a certain age - the man is even dyeing his beard.
It's these scenarios of old dogs that are mined for comedy and drama - and it works.
This is by far the most reflective of the franchise thus far where both Marcus and Mike, in between the shooting and shouting at each other, are given moments to reflect on their action, who they are, where they are in life and where they are going.
The cool thing is the reflective moments are threaded throughout the movie so they feel earned.
Although the trailer kinder gives away most of the best moments in the film and the best gags for laughs, there are still one or two gems hidden away.
They are the heart, soul and everything to the franchise and they bring it.
The budget may not be as big as the previous movie - for one, the film is not shot entirely in Miami (it's set there), the action scenes are not as bombastic as in the previous two movies but this film has heart and yes, action.
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the directing duo, deliver on the action and are clear fans of the franchise but are not afraid of the silent moments.
They even pay homage to some of the iconic shots from previous Bad Boys films... true fans will see them.
This is one of the delights of Bad Boys for Life, it's made for fans and the creative team realises that fans have also aged with the stars.
I believe they can squeeze one more out this, although I don't see Marcus and Mike pulling a Tom Cruise, jumping from buildings in their 50s, but till then, let's continue to mess up the lyrics for the Bad Boys song together for one more ride.
It felt like: Bad Boys: The Retirement Edition. Same laughs, same action, just with a little bite that we all not young no more.
Rating
***
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* Junk **You are on you own ***Enjoyable ****Almost Perfect *****Instant Classic
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