Bad Boys for Life (2020)

McCarthy calls it the best entry in the series, praising its heart and crowd-pleasing mix of comedy and drama. He especially singles out Smith and Lawrence, whose chemistry and performances make the familiar partnership feel fresh.

Hewitt calls it comfortably the best entry in the series, a reinvigorated and enjoyable sequel. He praises the action scenes for their clarity and easy-to-follow staging.

Ehrlich finds the sequel a fun, thoughtful update that honors the franchise while making room for change. He especially praises the new AMMO team and its lively cast, while noting that some character deaths feel underdeveloped.

Gleiberman finds the sequel more engaging than its familiar, formula-heavy premise suggests, calling it high-powered trash with a human touch. He praises Smith and Lawrence’s performances, especially the middle-aged edge and camaraderie they bring to the action-comedy.

Chang finds the film stylish, derivative and intermittently fun, with enough action to satisfy fans despite its overblown plot. He especially praises Martin Lawrence’s comic instincts and grounding presence, which complement the chemistry between the leads.

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The critic finds the sequel surprisingly enjoyable, with a lighter mood and knowingly silly plot. She praises Will Smith and Martin Lawrence for poking fun at themselves with panache.

The review treats the film as a melancholy farewell to the franchise’s aging heroes. It singles out their struggle to remain relevant as the source of its sadness.

Hoffman finds the film’s story, politics and action weak, but says it remains an enjoyable watch. He singles out Martin Lawrence’s expressive comic reactions and the chemistry between him and Will Smith as its saving grace.

Gingold finds it disposable franchise entertainment rather than a meaningful reinvention. He notes it is less obnoxiously vulgar than the previous film, but still another installment.

Graham finds it a satisfying Friday-night action film and a welcome improvement over the previous installment. He praises the leads’ banter and chemistry, along with the film’s fresher direction and more self-aware tone.

Vishnevetsky finds the sequel underwhelming, lacking the visual energy and confident movement associated with Michael Bay. He praises the grisly Mexican prison escape sequence as the film’s most confidently directed scene.

The review describes the belated sequel as flawed but not without appeal. It singles out the chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as a strength.

Ebiri finds the film mostly slick, serviceable junk, though its strong finish makes him more open to a fourth installment. He praises the late revelations for adding moral stakes and narrative unpredictability, while giving Martin Lawrence room to shine.

The standfirst suggests the film is an unoriginal continuation of the franchise. It singles out the return of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, but describes the franchise as far from fresh.

Cole argues that the film repeats the franchise’s toxic police-brutality politics, making its glib violence hard to excuse. He praises Martin Lawrence’s soulful performance, though he says the film ultimately turns it into material for stale jokes.

Berry says the long-awaited sequel is better than the original and a welcome surprise. She praises the chemistry between Smith and Lawrence, while criticizing the rather dumb climax.

The critic finds the film a surprisingly entertaining, heartfelt return that ends the franchise on a high note. They especially praise Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s lively, funny banter.

The critic finds the sequel surprisingly successful, smart, funny, and emotional. They especially praise Martin Lawrence’s comic performance and the more character-focused writing.

Harvilla finds the film loud, silly, and most enjoyable as a communal theater experience. He singles out the chemistry between Smith and Lawrence, especially their heartfelt camaraderie amid the mayhem.

The review finds the film an entertaining, potentially affecting conclusion to the trilogy, despite some franchise-building missteps. It praises the kinetic action filmmaking and appreciates the quieter character moments.

Sinacola finds the film better than expected but short of what the franchise demands. He praises Will Smith’s ability to convey Mike’s sadness and regret, while faulting the film’s smaller, less visceral action and forgettable finale.

The review finds the sequel silly but more mature than its predecessors, with stronger emotional stakes. It particularly praises the goofy camaraderie between Smith and Lawrence.

The critic calls it baggy and dumb but the best film in the trilogy. They praise its playful send-up of Michael Bay’s style and its entertaining action set-pieces.

The critic finds the sequel an amusing throwback but also a tired retread, with its appeal resting on familiar pleasures. Smith and Lawrence’s comic chemistry stands out as the film’s brightest spot.

Kaye finds the film exhausting and mostly empty, despite occasional crowd-pleasing moments. He praises the directors’ clearer, more coherent action, especially a showstopping vehicular pursuit.