Lethal Weaponry
Bad Boys II
Review by Ross Anthony

'Didn't see the first one, ' can't compare the two. With Lawrence and Smith headlining, I expected a rollicking comedy. Though funny at times, BBII is solidly an action film. And as action films go -- this one is so packed with action that you may leave the theater feeling bruised.

Most of the action is strong, though occasionally the quick cuts are more annoying than tension-building. And the car-carrying truck sequence -- thrilling! Great camera angles, powerful point of impact cinematography and a car-spinning pace.

While Smith and Lawrence act well and are at times quite funny, their repartee feels very done (see the Lethal Weapon series). Further, besides the action and big stars, the film has little going for it in the story/plausibility department.

But the real story here is the action anyway. Routinely blatantly nonsensical, the action is so plentiful, you'll feel like you've been grabbed by the back of the neck and dragged through the picture.

From the press notes:
To capture the action, filmmakers utilized a small go-cart, equipped with a 35mm camera, driving at speeds up to 100 mph next to the carrier for spectacular low angles. But to create the ultimate in fast, super close, first person intensity, Bay used a customized vehicle his crew termed the "Bay Rammer." Gutted inside and stripped to only bare essentials outside, the stunt department fortified the automobile's body by caging the interior for the driver (as is the custom for barrel rolls and other such dangerous car stunts), and similarly surrounding the exterior to protect three mounted cameras. "It looked like a 'Mad Max' vehicle," laughs Picerni (stuntman) who piloted the rammer. "It was like a tank, totally caged. We were trying to create the illusion that the rammer was the Ferrari. When we see a car flip and hit me or go over me, that's what the Ferrari is trying to avoid."



  • Bad Boys II. Copyright © 2003.
  • Starring Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Gabrielle Union, Jordi Molla, Peter Stormare, Theresa Randle, Joe Pantoliano.
  • Directed by Michael Bay.
  • Screenplay by Rond Shelton and Jerry Stahl.
  • Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer at Columbia.



Grade..........................B



Copyright © 2001. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: RossAnthony.com


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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:18:41 PDT