Time: 148 Minutes
Age Rating: R16
Cast:
Martin Lawrence as Detective Lieutenant Marcus Miles Burnett
Will Smith as Detective Lieutenant Michael Eugene ‘Mike’ Lowrey
Jordi Mollà as Hector Juan Carlos ‘Johnny’ Tapia
Gabrielle Union as DEA Special Agent Sydney ‘Syd’ Burnett
Peter Stormare as Alexei
Theresa Randle as Theresa Burnett
Joe Pantoliano as Captain Conrad Howard
Director: Michael Bay

I can’t remember why, but I remembered that when I initially watched Bad Boys II, I really couldn’t get into it. I think I just couldn’t get on board with the style and I found it to be just okay at best. Years later though, I decided to revisit it, and now I would consider it to be among Michael Bay’s best.

When you start Bad Boys II, you immediately notice how larger than life it is, especially when compared to its standard buddy cop comedy predecessor. This is seen in the over the top style and bombastic set pieces, which has plenty of shootouts, car chases, explosions and slow motion. However, it is also one of Michael Bay’s most deranged movies, up there with Pain & Gain and 6 Underground. It really is insane to watch, so much excess, crassness and gore, and it’s the type of movie where corpses are defiled and the camera focuses on two rats having intercourse. It’s a very mean spirited movie, which might turn some people off, but I was on its wavelength this time, and I appreciated how uncompromising it was. It is a very self aware movie and I personally found most of the humour to be funny. So much of the movie is absurd that it almost plays like a parody at times. I’m not sure that I’d say that the story of Bad Boys II was great, it is absolutely nonsensical, but I do think its at least better than the last film’s story, and had more memorable moments. The movie is pretty long at around 2 hours and 30 minutes in length, but it is paced well, and there was always something wild happening that grabbed my attention.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are on point as ever as the main characters, those two were really the main reason that the first movie was so entertaining and a hit. With the sequel, their already great chemistry is even more perfect here, and they shine with the banter and comedy. Joe Pantoliano is again great as the police captain and the villains played by Jordi Mollà and Peter Stormare are good, better than the villains of the previous movie at least.

Michael Bay’s direction is as stylish and explosive as ever, and with crisp, stunning and oversaturated visuals. Unsurprisingly, its the action scenes where Bay’s work shines the most. The action sequences are spectacular, high octane and adrenaline fueled, with the excellent and slick camerawork and editing. They are wonderfully chaotic with quick cut editing and while it might’ve turned me off on my first viewing, I kind of love it now.

Bad Boys II is an insane, unhinged, bombastic, and over the top action flick, with entertaining set pieces and distinctly energetic and stylish direction from Michael Bay, and a perfect lead duo in Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.