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The words "subtle" and "understated" aren't in the vocabularies of producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay, and that point is driven home explosively in this over-the-top, hyperkinetic sequel to the wildly successful 1995 buddy movie. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back as the flamboyant, rule-breaking cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, this time caught in the middle of a Miami-based drug war instigated by a ruthless, sadistic crime lord (Jordi Molla). Left to their own devices, Mike and Marcus would certainly continue to disregard proper police procedures, but there's an added ingredient in the mix: Marcus's younger sister, Sydney (Gabrielle Union), is a federal agent working undercover to smash the drug ring, and one false move by the boys will put her at risk. Director Bay, whose more memorable films for Bruckheimer include The Rock and Armageddon in addition to the first Bad Boys, has developed a winning method of producing action movies: make 'em fast, make 'em big, and make 'em loud. In this case, comedy interludes with Smith and Lawrence are used mainly to give audiences a breather between flashy fights, chases, and shootouts. The action sequences are staged, photographed, and edited to reflect Bay's larger-than-life vision, and they are so well done that even the most skeptical viewers will find themselves suspending disbelief -- even as the situations become increasingly outlandish. The Smith-Lawrence combination remains potent, Union supplies the requisite sex appeal, and character actor Joe Pantoliano contributes a scene-stealing turn as their dyspeptic superior. Bad Boys 2 is violent, profane, and improbable from first scene to last -- but it's also great fun for anybody willing to check his brain at the front door before coming in for a look. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Stars Martin Lawrence and Will Smith return along with director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer for this sequel to the 1995 sleeper hit Bad Boys, the film that sparked the careers of both actors, as well as Bay. Once again, Lawrence and Smith play hotshot, wisecracking Miami narcotics officers Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowry. This time around, they've been assigned to head up a task force to investigate the illegal trafficking of ecstasy into the city. They discover that an underground gang war has been instigated by drug kingpin Johnny Tapia (Jordi Molla). In order to cut off the flow of the designer drug, they have to take down Tapia. Unfortunately, there's a wrench thrown into the gears in the form of Burnett's sister Syd, whom Lowry takes a liking to and begins a relationship with. Tensions rise between the partners, threatening both their friendship and the investigation and putting Syd's life in harm's way. Also returning from the first film are Joe Pantoliano as Captain Howard, Theresa Randle as Bennet's wife Theresa, and former-NBA star John Salley as 'Hacker' Fletcher. Among the supporting players new to this entry in the series are Peter Stormare and musician, spoken-word artist, and sometimes-actor Henry Rollins. Matthew Tobey

Product Details

• UPC: 043396071902
• Source: SONY PICTURES
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français
• Subtitles: English, Français
• Time: 2:26:00
• Sales Rank: 4,452

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Bad Boys Ii / s.W.a.t. (2003)

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