Bad Boys II - Have you seen the first one?

Apparently not many people have. ‘Bad Boys II’ is one of those rare films which seems to have totally eclipsed the original.  Most people seem to have seen the second part without seeing what came before.  Therefore, if you’re wondering what Part II is like, you really should start by watching the first one.  It’s basically the same, or at least the same tone.  If you like Part I then you’ll definitely like Part II.

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith play two Miami cops who ‘do things their own way.’ Yeah, nothing new there.  In fact, there’s nothing much new about the whole ‘Bad Boys’ package... and yet it’s still soooo much fun.  Okay, so you may have to suspend your disbelief slightly – a lot of what happens is probably a little more exaggerated than it would be in real life.  However, it’s not supposed to realistic – it’s just a great film to watch and enjoy.

It’s about a drugs kingpin who...well, does what evil drugs kingpins do.  And Will and Lawrence have to bring him to account.  You really don’t need to know much about the plot.  It has fantastic car chases, wicked shoot-outs and Martin and Will play off each other perfectly.  Again, the fact they tend to argue their way through gunfire is just one of many telltale signs that this film isn’t supposed to be ‘hyper-realistic,’ but, what the hell, it makes a good film.

Don’t let the fact that it was directed by Michael Bay put you off.  It was done waaaay before the travesty that is the Transformers franchise.  Just put your brain to one side and enjoy the craziness and general banter between Martin Lawrence and Will Smith.  If you want ‘realism’ in police drama, watch a reality TV cops show.  If you want overblown shoot-outs, car chases and beautiful scenery – you know where to come!

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that