Summary
Bad Boys: Ride or Dieinjected fresh life into the long-running franchise, with one particular scene echoing a real-life controversy. The film was released in June of this year, with its theatrical runmakingBad Boys 4one of the year’s most successful films. This is a major improvement over the uncertain future and the film’s production delays that wererumored to be tied to Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap, followed by the SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023. Even with the delays,the film carried forward the momentum ofBad Boys for Lifeand proved that reviving the franchise was a good choice.
The film carried forward the previous movie’s story, recontextualizing the franchise’s story so far.The ending ofBad Boys: Ride or Dieeven leaves room for a sequel, hinting at an exciting future for the franchise. Still,one of the most talked about moments ofBad Boys 4was during the film’s ending; Smith’s Mike Lowrey getting slapped by Lawrence’s Marcus Burnett at a pivotal moment of the climactic action sequence. Not only was the moment in keeping with the film’s comedic tone, but it was also a subtle reference to the infamous real-life moment that may have delayed the production to begin with.
Bad Boys 4 Dominates VOD Charts After $395M Box Office Success
After releasing in theaters in June, Bad Boys: Ride or Die has become a major hit on VOD platforms as viewers watch the Will Smith sequel at home.
And It Does It Right
The sight of Will Smith being slapped on screen has clear echoes of the most notorious Oscars moment in recent memory.Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscarswill remain a controversial moment for the actor. Fans were divided over the actor’s actions,but the incident resulted in a decade-long ban from the ceremony for Smithand brought an incredible amount of scrutiny to his relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith. Despite this moment being seen as career-ruining at the time, Smith has managed to bounce back from it.
The slap was entirely improvised, and while the filmmakers were wary about its inclusion, it proved to be a highlight of the movie.
The slap inBad Boys 4brings that moment back around, giving audiences a hilarious moment that calls back to the Oscars slap in a way that proves to be cathartic as well as funny.Seeing Smith get slapped struck a chord with audiences, getting the largest laugh out of the film during test screenings,and it was a moment that almost didn’t happen. The slap was entirely improvised, and while the filmmakers were wary about its inclusion, it proved to be a highlight of the movie.
He’s Still Got A Sense Of Humor
The improvisation of the slap turned out to be the idea of Smith himself. While filming the crucial scene, the actor offered up the idea at the last moment, turning one of the worst incidents of his life on its head and providing a call-back to that moment for audiences. It worked, and while that single moment can’t be given all the credit forBad Boys 4’ssuccess, it has left its mark on viewers, grossing $400 million worldwide and withBad Boys: Ride or Dieholding a 97% audience scoreon Rotten Tomatoes.
The film’s slap stands as a hilarious moment that hopefully represents the close of an uncertain time for Smith. It’s clear the actor isn’t going anywhere, and with the success ofBad Boys: Ride or Dieit seems like his career is going to recover just fine from the incident at the Oscars.If there is aBad Boys 5in the works, it likely won’t have a moment that’s as culturally relevant, but at the very least the franchise still has exciting potential ahead of it.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Cast
Bad Boys: Ride or Die continues the action-packed saga of Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. The film follows the duo as they face new threats and personal challenges, blending intense action scenes with the camaraderie fans have come to love in the Bad Boys series.
