Directors: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah

Writers: Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan

Stars: Will Smith, Alexander Ludwig, Vanessa Hudgens, Martin Lawrence, Joe Pantoliano

Running Time: 2h 3m / Classification: Rated R

The third installment of the Bad Boys franchise just hit theaters worldwide and let’s just say, it’s been a long time coming!

The last time audiences followed the adventures of officers/ best friends Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) was in 2003 when Bad Boys II was released. Michael Bay directed that sequel which grossed $273 million worldwide.

Bad Boys For Life follows the duo as they reunite once again when a mysterious assassin (played by Jacob Scipio) murders multiple people involved in an old police case. Lowrey is also gunned down but he survives. After six months of hospital recovery, the officer is eager to find the man who put him there. Burnett is not on board at first. He vowed to leave his violent ways behind if his best friend survives. But when their beloved police captain takes a hit, uncle Mike and now pop pop Marcus (his daughter gives birth to a boy in an earlier scene, and Reggie is the father!) team up one last time to put end to the wave of homicides and to take down whoever is responsible.

The film co-stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Paola Núñez, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, and Joe Pantoliano.

The chemistry between Smith and Lawrence is undeniable and carries a lot of the movie. Their sense of humor and the special bond between the two translates well through their characters. All of it feels authentic. The jokes are not overexaggerated or forced, just enough to make you enjoy them. You will laugh at them trolling each other and will be touched by their I-always-got-your-back-type friendship.

The action sequences in this latest installment are more lucid than in its predecessors. Slashed throats, bullets penetrating torsos, point-blank shots to the face – directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (who are best known for directing the TV series Snowfall) did not hold back. Demolished buildings, burning helicopters, shoot outs, explosions, high-speed car chases – action junkies will be satisfied.

At some point in the movie, the Bad Boys team up with a younger, elite team called AMMO (which stands for Advanced Miami Metro Operations). The tech-savvy youngsters are clearly juxtaposed to Lowrey and Burnett who are used to handling things the old way. The constant clash between the two groups finds its resolve when the agents face the mastermind behind the series of killings. Her name is Isabel Aretas (played by Kate del Castillo) and she has a bone to pick with Lowrey. We learn that many years ago, even before the Bad Boys, Lowrey was on an undercover mission that resulted in him putting the “only woman he ever loved” (Isabel) in jail. And… here we are introduced to the plot twist, which was a bit forced but definitely a surprise. Its placement is kind of a necessary step to unveil the hidden secrets, evoke an emotional response on Lowrey’s part, and, ultimately, conclude the storyline. But maybe not entirely. The after-credit scene suggests there might be a continuation, possibly, a spinoff heading our way.

Bad Boys For Life is entertaining and action-packed. Its been 17 years but it’s like they never left! If you are a fan of Bad Boys and Bad Boys II, then you will enjoy this third (but seemingly not final) installment.

• Cast: Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Frank Grillo, Mike Colter, Nafessa Williams, Reid Scott, James Moses Black, and Beau Knapp
• Director: Deon Taylor
• Release Date: Oct 25, 2019
• Running time: 108 min

Corruption in the police force has been a topic of multiple on-screen titles throughout the years. With Black and Blue, however, director Deon Taylor (Intruder) brings an alternative perspective – he does not only showcase the turbulent relationship between the Black community and law enforcement but welcomes a never seen before character – a black female lead, who is a police officer – to help understand that relationship in all its complexity.

The film opens with a scene in which the lead character, rookie officer Alicia West (Naomie Harris), is pulled over and roughly searched by two white cops while on her morning run in what seems like a suburban neighborhood. The officers release her shortly after they learn “she is blue”, then arrogantly state that West “fits a description”. Without issuing an apology, the cops leave the slightly shaken rookie be. Later at the precinct, West volunteers to cover for her partner Kevin (Reid Scott) and teams up with officer Deacon Bacon (James Moses Black) for a graveyard shift. While on patrol, West witnesses a murder of three young men by narcotics detective Terry Malone (Frank Grillo) and his crew in an abandoned factory. When West is detected with her bodycam recording the execution, the fellow officers attempt to kill her. She manages to escape. Malone, desperate to get the bodycam, recruits druglord Darius (Mike Colter) to find West. He falsely accuses her of killing Darius’s nephew (one of the murdered drug dealers). With the entire NOPD and Darius’ crew after her, West turns to her childhood friend Mouse (Tyrese Gibson) for help. Mouse also has had a traumatic encounter with the police in an earlier troublous but yet powerful scene. Concerned about a possible break-in to his store, he calls for police. When a cop arrives, he treats Mouse as if he was the criminal – shoves him against a table and threatens him with a gun. Terrified and upset, Mouse quietly breaks down.

The narrative exposes the unfortunate realities many face today. Black communities are being neglected and taken advantage of and those, who swore to protect and serve, often only follow the oath when it’s in their own interest. In this scenario, Naomie Harris’ character, is the best hope for any type of resolve. She is an outsider but also belongs, all at the same time, which makes her a perfect candidate for the job. She believes, perhaps naively, that by going against the grain and following her principles, she can earn people’s trust and amend the broken relationship between the ‘blacks’ and the ‘blues’.

Black and Blue excites with its action-filled sequences, suspenseful moments and chilling but yet beautiful sights of post-hurricane-Katrina New Orleans. Audiences will enjoy great performances and will be entertained by finding hidden messages throughout the film. Black and Blue delivers a vital modern story of crime and punishment and reiterates the notion that doing the right thing is always the right thing.