Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s ending resolves several lingering plot threads from previous movies and underscores a major theme carried over from the previous entry in the series. The fourth film in the Bad Boys series reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as Mike and Marcus, a pair of Miami police department detectives.
Each film in the series features absurd action, with the pair dispatching hundreds of nameless criminals over the years. Fifteen years passed between the second and third films, with Bad Boys For Life highlighting how new generations of cops like Vanessa Hudgens’ Kelly and Alexander Ludwig’s Dorn can help them going forward.
Unveiling The Conspiracy Behind Captain Howard’s Death
Five years later, Bad Boys: Ride or Die reveals some quietly big retcons into the series’ history. Captain Howard’s death in Bad Boys For Life was connected to a secretive plot controlling Miami for years. Mike and Marcus confront complicated and personal dilemmas, such as Mike’s relationship with his son Armando and Marcus’ brush with death.
Connecting The Villains Across The Bad Boys Series
Bad Boys: Ride or Die retcons two previous films, connecting them through a wide-ranging conspiracy between drug cartels and the Miami police. A big reveal centers on Lockwood, an attorney, and James McGrath, a US military member. The pair have conspired with the Cartels, allowing drug transport into Florida in exchange for monitoring the border.
Armando’s Role And Potential Redemption
Armando, Mike’s illegitimate son introduced in Bad Boys For Life, plays a key role in Bad Boys: Ride or Die. He’s the only one who can identify McGrath and help uncover the conspiracy in the Miami PD. In the climax, Armando works alongside Mike and AMMO to bring down McGrath, getting severely wounded but surviving the fight.
Marcus’ Visions And Their Meaning
Early in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Marcus suffers a near-fatal heart attack at Mike’s wedding. This causes him to see visions that affect him for the rest of the movie. One vision focuses on Howard, who tells Marcus that death hasn’t come for him yet, foreshadowing the finale where Marcus survives a confrontation with McGrath.
Setting Up For Future Bad Boys Movies
Bad Boys: Ride or Die ends on an optimistic note. Marcus and Mike reunite with their families safe and sound. While Mike doesn’t know Armando’s fate, his role in the climax indicates he could return as a more heroic figure in future stories. The movie hints at possible directions for the Bad Boys franchise, setting up future installments.