Bad Boys for Life undeniably entertaining

Twenty five years may have passed since their first screen assignment, but Bad Boys For Life Will Smith and Martin Lawrence deliver in this spectacularly combustive and conspicuously ridiculous last hurrah.

Twenty-five years may have passed since their first screen assignment, but Bad Boys will always be Bad Boys.

So if you show up to the undeniably entertaining three-quel Bad Boys for Life expecting headliners Will Smith and Martin Lawrence to have suddenly become the most mature cops in Miami, you have definitely come to the wrong movie.

First things first, both stars still get along well in terms of screen chemistry, even though they are getting on in terms of days crossed off on the calendar.

Lawrence remains the more panicky and punchline-prone of the two as Marcus, now on the verge of grandparenthood and what promises to be a cruisy retirement.

Picture: AP

Of course, Will Smith is the debonair and daring one. His character, Mike, thinks he can keep on culling crooks until he croaks.

Each should know by now not to make too many plans for the future. Especially since a former Mexican drug baroness (Kate del Castillo) and her psycho son (Jacob Scipio) have Mike in their sights, and will not be caring if Marcus gets in the way.

The action sequences of Bad Boys for Life (a long-time strength of the franchise) continually trade in the right combo of spectacularly combustive and conspicuously ridiculous.

The one true standout on the unabashed-adrenaline front is an extended motorcycle chase through the streets of Miami at night.

Picture: AP

Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah might be new to the big-budget filmmaking game, but they do know what they are doing when it comes to causing controlled chaos inside tight turning circles. These two have a future that will go beyond blowing stuff up for no apparent reason.

As for Smith and Lawrence, pushing on from here to a fourth Bad Boys instalment would severely test what goodwill remains towards their franchise at this late stage.

However, when viewed as one last hurrah, Bad Boys for Life is the right way for the stars and their fans to part company on the best possible terms.

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (MA15+)

Directors: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah

Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Kate del Castillo, Jacob Scipio, Joe Pantoliano.

Rating: ***

Now slowing down, but never growing up

READ MORE:

MICHAEL B JORDAN PROVES OSCARS SNUB IS REAL

HANKS WORTH A WATCH DESPITE MR ROGERS MYSTERY

K-STEW THRILLER LEAVES AUDIENCE IN TOO DEEP