Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Bad Boys II Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 17, 2015

Note: 'Bad Boys II' is currently available only as part of a boxed set with the new 'Mastered in 4K' release of 'Bad Boys.'

Michael Bay is the unquestioned king of the summer blockbuster. His movies are divisive, sure, often separating the highbrow crowd from the popcorn crowd and pitting them one against the other in the battle over content, with the former pointing out his repeated failures to create resonating story and character drama and the latter championing his unquestioned mastery of the medium's visual and aural attributes. Bad Boys II is quintessential Bay and, arguably -- even in a world in which all of his Transformers films exist -- the movie that's most purely representative of his style. The scorching-hot contrast, the high-energy action, the complex and precise practical visual effects, the heavy-handed humor, and plenty of quick cuts, swooping pans, and angular shots define the film far more than its standard-fare buddy cop story. And both Bay supporters and Bay detractors have plenty to talk about. The movie is unquestionably slick and polished but it's also fairly empty beyond the façade. Yet there's no denying that it works as intended as a flashy and fun movie that's a technical masterpiece and a delight to watch in a mindless sort of way.

Miami narcotics detectives Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) are hot on the trail of a big shipment of ecstasy that's made its way to the city's shores by way of a complicated transfer from Amsterdam under the guidance of a mastermind named Johnny Tapia (Jordi Mollà). A bust of a KKK meeting goes wrong, leaving Marcus with a million dollar wound and their partnership on the rocks, complicated by Mike's relationship with Marcus' sister Syd (Gabrielle Union). But they'll have to set their differences aside if they're going to face the biggest challenge of their careers, a sprawling and deadly criminal organization bent on getting its product on to the streets, impeded only by Miami's two most effective, but volatile, officers whose mouths shoot off as fast as their guns and who always leave a wake of destruction behind them.

Bad Boys II fits the textbook definition for a summer blockbuster sequel. It's essentially the same movie as the original (story specifics aside), but bigger, stronger, faster, and with more complicated action scenes, more robust special effects, and a meatier runtime. "Sequel" doesn't get much more clear-cut than that. Bay's mastery of the medium -- at least a mastery of the medium within the workings of the "event" Action picture -- is evident in every shot, whether cordial get-togethers between friendly characters or during a high-speed, high-stakes freeway car chase sequence that's got to be considered amongst the top few of its kind ever to grace a movie screen. The sense of speed, scope, and tangible, realistic mayhem -- there's none of the overtly obvious digital garbage mucking up the works -- is truly striking. The scene builds on layers of chaos and proves relentless in not simply showing the audience the bedlam but getting them up-close and personal with it. The same can be said of every action scene, whether car chase or shootout. There's a sense of frightening, immersive intimacy with every one that even Bay's trademark lightning-quick edits cannot stop. In fact, they only enhance the sense of death-defying confusion as bullets fly, explosions rattle, and characters fight for their lives. Few movies can match Bad Boys II for pure, adrenaline-pushing action that will leave even Bay's most ardent critics cracking a smile considering the detailed polish with which he works his craft.

That said, there's a fairly empty shell beneath the surface. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are the two biggest reasons the movie works as well as does away from Bay's craftsmanship. They're unruly in a humorously natural way, they know their way around an action scene (even if Bay overshadows them), and they've built up a good, positive rapport. They go a long way in masking what is a fairly bland script. The core story is pure throwaway junk -- there's little substance and practically no heart to it -- but they elevate it just enough to keep it entertaining and flowing, even at a preposterous runtime that clocks in at nearly 2.5 hours. Still, the film's shortcomings are fairly easy to see. The characters are built for two purposes: to star in Bay's action scenes and deliver countless quips packed with suggestive innuendo and crude humor. Beyond that, there's little purposeful characterization. Both Bad Boys films fall well short in that regard, failing to capture the same authentic "buddy" spirit that flows through the Lethal Weapon films -- and the first two in particular -- and elevates those movies to the point that characterization, story, and action work hand-in-hand rather than, here, as almost individual pieces brought together out of necessity, not dramatic purpose. Still, Bad Boys II is a purely fun and energetic movie that, despite its shortcomings, proves itself a master of a particular style that emphasizes flash over substance.

Bad Boys II Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Bad Boys II arrives on Blu-ray in a "Mastered in 4K"/1080p encoded transfer that's ultra-faithfiul to Bay's vision. The movie is scorching hot, showcasing a consistently cranked contrast that emphasizes reds, oranges, and yellows. Color saturation is very strong, and other bright shades, like blue pool water and green grass, stand apart as well. The image is razor-sharp, accentuated by a light and even grain structure that presents the movie with a striking film-quality appearance. Details are always exacting. Facial pores, lines, wrinkles, and hair are particularly impressive, but every inch of every frame enjoys superb attention to detail, be that clothes, cars, grass, or any number of background details in any number of locations. Flesh tones are a product of the movie's hot contrast but black levels are beautifully deep and pure. A dark scene near film's start, at around the 9:15 mark, that shows a "bullet time"-style shot against a dark nighttime background, devolves into heavy macroblocking, but other flaws are few and far between and are hardly an eyesore. There's no obvious print wear and tear, either. This is another terrific film-quality presentation from Sony.

Bad Boys II Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Bad Boys II features a terrific DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It's detailed and enveloping, presenting aggressively but also delivering plenty of fine nuance that helps create a complete, exciting listen. Action is prolific. Gunfire is potent and heavy, blasting from every speaker and impacting with some serious weight. Thuds, crashes, and other bits of shootout chaos are expertly presented and effortlessly immersive. Explosions rock the foundation but do so with a tightness and definition that's a hallmark of the finest low end pronouncements. Various effects spring to life from every corner, notably during car chases where vehicles power through, accompanied by a symphony of chaotic violence that spills through the soundstage with startling efficiency. Music swirls around the stage with terrific detail throughout the range. Dialogue is well prioritized through the madness and emanates from the center with flawless definition. This is a surround sound and LFE extravaganza that's perfect demo material.

Bad Boys II Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Bad Boys II contains a ton of vintage extras, most of which are detailed and fascinating chronicles of how the film was made in various stages and along a number of scenes. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Deleted Scenes (480i): Group Therapy (1:08), Mike and Mara (1:05), Arriving at the Haitians' House (0:31), First Scene at Phat's (1:06), Talking About Mama's House (0:49), Hit on Dog (0:39), and Fake Funeral (1:57).
• Production Diaries (480i): A large collection of short extras that each cover a specific scene or topic and take the viewer through some of the key highlights from the shoot.
• Genesis (5:44): A short look back at the original.
• Training Days (2:21): A brief look at the actors' tactical training for the film.
• Swamp (6:13): Making the early film KKK shootout.
• Night Club (2:44): Coordinating and directing extras in the film's night club scene and shooting a key dialogue scene.
• Intersection Shootout (7:51): A raw on-set look at some of the technical details behind making one of the film's action scenes. Also, a long look at a continued flubbing of a weapon magazine handoff.
• Get Into My Office! (2:17): A quick look at improv in one of the film's lighter scenes.
• Hugs and Kisses (3:24): It takes more to shoot a hug and a kiss than a simple hug and kiss.
• Poolside (2:59): Michael Bay's dog appears in the movie, and a pool empties out very fast.
• Jordi Mollá (3:11): A closer look at the actor who portrays the film's villain.
• First Date (2:42): A glimpse into a unique approach to working with one of the film's young actors.
• Crime Lab (1:48): A quick behind-the-scenes look at a scene.
• Captain's House (2:24): A peek inside making another scene with Joe Pantoliano.
• A Couple of Cameos (2:29): Michael Bay and Dan Marino appear in the movie.
• Train Dodging (3:00): Assembling a shot involving a train.
• Joey Pants (1:51): Another piece looking at a Joe Pantoliano scene.
• The Russian Is Coming (3:31): Peter Stormare's character gets a proper send-off.
• Home Invasion (5:40): A look into making one of the film's key action sequences.
• Bringing Down the House (3:50): Scouting and blowing up a mansion.
• Shanty Town (3:00): Working in a shanty town built for the film.
• Sequence Breakdown (480i): A detailed look at the making of several key moments from the film, including MacArthur Causeway (12:25), Ice Van Chase (5:22), Monorail Fight (4:48), 5-Man Ratchet (3:38), Tapia's Mansion (9:00), and Shanty Town (10:06).
• Stunts (480i, 9:29): As the title suggests, this supplement takes a look inside making the film's real, complex, and dangerous stunts.
• Visual Effects (480i, 18:38): An examination of a few key effects, including the causeway chase and the digital effects that supported the practical, early film "bullet time" shots, a long and involved club shot, and a 360-degree shootout shot.
• Music Video (480i, 3:52): La-La-La by Jay-Z.
• Theatrical Trailers (1080p): Teaser Trailer (2:08), Theatrical Trailer 1 (2:26), and Theatrical Trailer 2 (1:02).

Bad Boys II Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Bad Boys II doesn't reinvent the wheel, it just makes it bigger, faster, and more attractive. The film is little more than a collection of high intensity action scenes with a tons of irreverent humor and mild characterization tossed in between. It's slick, high energy fun and a huge success for what it is and wants to be, which is, essentially, the quintessential Michael Bay experience. Sony's long-awaited Blu-ray release of Bad Boys II features outstanding video, reference audio, and a large assortment of vintage extras. Highly recommended.