Hypothetically, if you had the chance to go back in time to some point during the 1992, when producer Jerry Bruckheimer was idly looking for someone to helm a forthcoming buddy action flick called Bad Boys, and you had the opportunity to swipe Michael Bays résumé from Bruckheimers desk and burn it, therefore preventing Bays film career from ever happening, would you do it? Think about it. Thered be no awful Transformers movies, no crappy remakes of beloved horror classics, and maybe, just maybe, Martin Lawrence wouldnt have had a film career. Its a no brainer surely, like killing a young Hitler.
Love him or hate him, Bay has proved to be one of Hollywoods most lucrative assets, and the movie that put the money-making machine on the box office map makes its explosive debut in hi-def.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence plays Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett, two Miami cops who are given the seemingly impossible task of reclaiming $100 million worth of heroin that was stolen from their very own police station. Making matters more complicated, Mike and Marcus are forced to switch identities in order to bring in a key witness to a drug-related murder.
Style over substance is now a phrase we all associate with the crash, bang, wallop approach of Michael Bay, and his debut feature sees the directors traits being established from the outset. Needlessly flamboyant in its direction and convoluted to the point of stupidity, Bad Boys is a flawed action movie to say the least. And yet, with its charismatic leads (yes, even Martin Lawrence is kinda good in this) and some genuinely funny dialogue, Bad Boys broke the box office and set the Bay machine in motion. To be honest, its one of Bays more entertaining efforts, and theres no denying that its one sexy looking flick.
Indeed, Bays slick visuals go together with high definition like the Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff, and this Blu-ray release sees the film looking better than ever before. While this 90s catalogue title wont completely blow you away, the detail and lighting are a vast improvement on the DVD edition, and though contrast issues arise throughout, as well as various scratches and blemishes, the picture is still slick enough to warrant an upgrade.
The audio isnt quite as dynamic as youd hope, and the busier scenes dont really make much use of the rear speakers, but dialogue is clearly audible and the DTS soundtrack does make itself known during certain action sequences.
The special features are rubbish, and include an old commentary from Michael some people think Im crazy Bay and some music videos.
Overall Verdict: Its still a flawed but entertaining action film, and one thats looking a little slicker on Blu-ray.
Special Features:
BD Live
Movie IQ
Audio Commentary With Michael Bay
Putting The Boom And Bang In bad Boys Featurette
Music Videos
Trailers
Reviewer: Lee Griffiths