I can't imagine what it's like to make a movie with Jerry Bruckheimer, Don Simpson, and Michael Bay. These guys know one thing: How to make things blow up. Bad Boys was a huge hit for the crew back in 1995 and here we are in 2003 with a long time in coming sequel. Though far from the quality of the original, there's still enough here to recommend for people who like things blowing up and a car chase that rivals anything else ever put on film.
Martin Lawrence and Will Smith return, playing 2 Miami cops, this time to catch a violent ecstacy dealer smuggling the substance in the most unusual way imaginable. Countless sub-plots are tossed in, one involving Will Smith and Lawrences sister and yet another dealing with Lawrnces emotional issues. It all leads to an explosive finale in Cuba for the final showdown.
There is very little story here. Most of the character interaction only serves to extend the running time way over the 2 hour mark. The superb action sequences are a sight to behold (including the stunning car chase mentioned above), but the minute storyline surrounding them doesn't make them anymore intersting like it should. Smith and Lawrence are gut-busting hilarious, but the language used here is asinine. Not that it's offending, but it's mostly used as an attempt to increase the comedy factor. That's not good writing. Also, some of the CG effects used in the action scenes are painfully obvious. Still, this is a sequel that does what it's supposed to do: Make everything louder, bigger, and crazier. In that, is succeeds. (*** out of *****)
The 2-disc DVD set has the movie residing on disc 1, presented in 2.40:1 widescreen. This is a shockingly good transfer, bursting with a crazy color scheme that should be cause for nightmares. It falters in the beginning with heavy compression issues and color bleeding, but steps up after this and stays that way for the entire film. There is some minor "haloing" around the characters in brighter scenes, but this is a small issue and most people probably won't notice it. (****)
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
great dvd review, Matt. One thing, though - you know Don Simpson is dead, right? A victim of his own cocaine-riddled plastic surgery-addicted obsessions.
2 - Matt Paprocki
Wow...I had no idea. Never heard anything about it. Guess I'll never really know what it's like to make a movie with all three then...
3 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
heh. Aw well. there's plenty of power mad producers about. Don died in the early 90's to the best of my knowledge, but of course his legacy is all over not only the remaining members of his production team's efforts, but also every high-concept action extravaganza you care to mention, from xXx to The Day After Tommorow