Review: BAD BOYS 5 (2025)
The iconic buddy-cop franchise returns with Bad Boys 5, proving once again that Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are a duo that audiences simply cannot get enough of. This installment doesn’t just recycle old formulas; it reimagines what a modern action-comedy can be, blending outrageous set pieces with surprisingly heartfelt drama. From the very first chase scene through the streets of Miami, the film sets an electrifying pace that rarely lets up. Director Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah strike a perfect balance between nostalgia and reinvention, reminding us why this franchise has endured for nearly three decades.
One of the strongest aspects of Bad Boys 5 is the chemistry between Smith and Lawrence. Their banter feels sharper, funnier, and more authentic than ever before, but what really stands out is the emotional maturity the characters bring this time around. Mike Lowrey (Smith) wrestles with the realities of aging in a profession that demands fearlessness, while Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) questions how much longer they can keep risking everything. This inner conflict gives the film a surprising emotional weight, grounding the explosive action with relatable struggles about legacy, family, and mortality.
Of course, no Bad Boys movie would be complete without jaw-dropping action sequences, and this sequel delivers them in spades. From a meticulously choreographed shootout in a luxury hotel to a high-speed boat chase through the Florida Keys, the action is both larger-than-life and refreshingly practical. The filmmakers clearly leaned into practical stunts whenever possible, giving the set pieces a raw, visceral energy that CGI-heavy blockbusters often lack. The finale, set inside a collapsing high-rise building, is pure adrenaline, cementing itself as one of the franchise’s most ambitious sequences yet.
The supporting cast also adds a fresh dynamic. Newcomer Alexandra Shipp shines as a brilliant but reckless hacker recruited to assist the duo, injecting youthful energy that complements the veterans. Meanwhile, returning characters like Captain Howard’s daughter, Rita (Paola Núñez), add layers of continuity that reward longtime fans. The villains, though not as iconic as past antagonists, are serviceable enough, their schemes revolving around a high-stakes cyber-terrorism plot that feels timely without being overly complicated.
Ultimately, Bad Boys 5 succeeds because it understands its own legacy. It embraces the outrageousness, the laughter, and the explosions that fans crave, while layering in just enough heart to make it feel meaningful. The movie is a love letter not only to the franchise but also to the bond between Smith and Lawrence, whose friendship remains the series’ beating heart. Is it perfect? Not quite — some jokes overstay their welcome, and the runtime could have been trimmed. But by the end, audiences are left exhilarated, entertained, and surprisingly moved. After all these years, the Bad Boys are still bad, still boys — and still absolutely worth watching.
