Bad Boys for Life (2020)
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Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett must confront a deadly threat from the past while navigating the complexities of their personal lives.
The story
Seventeen years after a major case, Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett find themselves facing a new threat. When a string of murders tied to Lowrey's troubled past emerges, the pair must navigate a dangerous investigation. While Marcus contemplates retirement to spend more time with his family, a sudden and violent encounter leaves Mike in a coma. Upon his recovery, Mike must navigate the complexities of his past and the reality of his current situation, eventually leading to a high-stakes confrontation that forces both men to decide the future of their partnership and their lives.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Seventeen years after a major case, Isabel Aretas, a cartel queenpin's widow, sends her son Armando to Miami to recover hidden money and eliminate those responsible for her husband's death, specifically targeting Mike Lowrey. During a dispute, Mike is shot and left in a coma. After he recovers, he attempts to recruit a retired Marcus Burnett. They eventually team up with a specialized unit, AMMO, led by Mike's ex-girlfriend, Rita Secada. The investigation leads them to a series of dangerous encounters, including a chase involving an arms dealer and a confrontation at a birthday party. During the chaos, Mike reveals to Marcus that Armando is actually his son, the result of a secret past with Isabel. The duo eventually travels to Mexico City to confront Isabel. In a final showdown, the truth of the family connection is revealed, leading to a tragic conclusion where Isabel is killed and Armando is imprisoned, while Mike and Marcus are tasked with leading the AMO unit.
- First release year
- 2020
- Runtime (minutes)
- 124
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Adil El Arbi; Bilall Fallah
- Writers
- Chris Bremner · screenplay; Peter Craig · screenplay; Joe Carnahan · screenplay; Peter Craig · story; Joe Carnahan · story
- Cast and characters
- Will Smith · Detective Lieutenant Michael Eugene 'Mike' Lowrey; Martin Lawrence · Detective Lieutenant Marcus Miles Burnett; Vanessa Hudgens · Kelly; Alexander Ludwig · Dorn; Paola Núñez · Lieutenant Rita Secada; Charles Melton · Rafe; Kate del Castillo · Isabel 'La Bruja' Aretas; Nicky Jam · Lorenzo 'Zway-Lo' Rodríguez; Joe Pantoliano · Captain Conrad Howard; Theresa Randle · Theresa Burnett
- Genres
- action; comedy
- Themes
- loyalty; fatherhood; legacy
- Tone and mood
- action-packed; comedic
- Setting
- Miami and Mexico City
- Premise and plot tags
- buddy cop; sequel; crime
- Franchise connections
- Bad Boys
- Reception
- The film was generally well received by critics and was a significant box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
- Reported review scores
- CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F; PostTrak · score: 4.5 · scale: 5
- Production trivia
- The film was the highest-grossing film of the year domestically in the United States.; The film's music integrated themes from the first film.; The film was the third-highest-grossing January release of all time.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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