Bad Boys for Life
Columbia Pictures | Release Date: January 17, 2020 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
59
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 46 Critic Reviews
Positive:
23
Mixed:
22
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
EmpireChris Hewitt (1)Jan 16, 2020
Not so much bad Bad Boys, more good Bad Boys. And not so-bad-it’s-good Bad Boys either. Instead, this is comfortably the best entry in the series to date. Which isn’t bad. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterTodd McCarthyJan 15, 2020
It’s impressive and enjoyable to behold how easily Smith and Lawrence slide back into these characters and actually make them more accessible and fun to be around than before. Read full review
76
PolygonMatt PatchesJan 15, 2020
In an exhausted, introspective, dad-jokey way, Bad Boys for Life gives these boys a definitive ending. It isn’t one fans ever expected, but it’s highly watchable. Read full review
75
ObserverOliver JonesJan 17, 2020
This is a movie where the charming guys fire holes into the un-charming guys while blowing stuff up and telling mildly funny jokes. Its story is absurd, most of the dialogue not spoken by one of the two leads is laughable, and save for a draggy middle section when the plot mechanics keep the bad boys separated, it’s a lot of fun. Read full review
75
New York PostJohnny OleksinskiJan 15, 2020
The plot isn’t really, but who cares? Think of Bad Boys for Life as a Pennsylvania highway store: full of explosives and fun. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleJan 15, 2020
A funny, satisfying action comedy that never disappoints. Read full review
75
ConsequenceMike VanderbiltJan 15, 2020
Bad Boys for Life thrives from stellar action filmmaking and could be an affecting closer to an action film trilogy, even if there are moments that feel like an attempt to build a cinematic universe of sorts (including a misguided post-credits tag). Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperJan 15, 2020
Almost nothing that takes place in the last 20 minutes of this movie could ever transpire in anything resembling the known universe. By then, you’ll have long since either checked out or decided to strap on the popcorn bag, put reality on hold and just go with it. Read full review
75
USA TodayBrian TruittJan 15, 2020
While it focuses more on character moments than absolute Bayhem, Bad Boys for Life does feel a bit long and there is a late out-of-nowhere plot twist that feels a little far-fetched even for these movies. Thankfully, neither detracts from the delightful spectacle that comes with Smith and Lawrence fist-bumping and insult-slinging just like it was 1995 again. Read full review
75
IndieWireDavid EhrlichJan 15, 2020
The result is a fun, explosive, and surprisingly thoughtful action movie that manages to thread the needle between the pyrotechnics of vintage Jerry Bruckheimer and the softer, more forward-thinking demands of contemporary multiplex fare. It may not be as raw as “Bad Boys,” but it’s more human. It may not be as operatic as “Bad Boys II,” but, well, neither was “The Ring Cycle.” Read full review
70
Film ThreatAnthony Ray BenchJan 18, 2020
Bad Boys for Life is a fun and competent action comedy with most of all the things people loved about the previous two films. It succeeds in that regard, but it does not successfully succeed in pushing the franchise forward and passing the torch to newer and fresher talent. Read full review
70
Arizona RepublicWeldon B. JohnsonJan 16, 2020
If you enjoyed the first two “Bad Boys” movies, you’ll want to see how the characters have developed. If you aren’t a fan of the series, there is a strong enough story to make the film worthwhile. Read full review
70
Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternJan 16, 2020
The production is no masterpiece. Much of the physical action is ludicrous, or gratuitous; some of the heroes’ emotional baggage is excess. But an unexpected something sneaks up on us as the story unfolds. In between the volcanic eruptions of violence and mayhem, the film takes its buddies seriously — with such outsize sincerity that we can take them to our hearts. Read full review
70
IGNRosie KnightJan 15, 2020
Bad Boys for Life doesn't reinvent the wheel but if you like the franchise you'll likely love this outrageous sequel. Read full review
70
ScreenCrushMatt SingerJan 15, 2020
The themes introduced in the early scenes are explored in the second act, further expressed through the chases and fights, and resolved in the conclusion. This might sound like rudimentary stuff. But it’s sometimes shocking how few blockbusters successfully pull off the rudimentary stuff. Read full review
70
UproxxMike RyanJan 15, 2020
For the first time ever, I cared about Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. And for the first time, yes, I hope some more Bad Boys come for me. Whatcha gonna do? Well, I’d watch them! Happily, for once. Read full review
70
VarietyOwen GleibermanJan 15, 2020
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence bring their A game; they never let us feel as if they’re going through the motions. The marks may be standard issue, but they hit them with fury and flair. Read full review
67
Original-CinThom ErnstJan 19, 2020
There are scenes of explosions, gangland killings, car chases, and more explosions. Still, the film strives to be more than just a mesh of Bay-inspired blow-ups and easy to reach jokes. Read full review
67
Entertainment WeeklyLeah GreenblattJan 15, 2020
Banter and bullets is the action-movie MO, and the duo at the center of it hardly seem to have to stretch to spread their bickering charm on thick. By the shock-and-awe climax, though — when everything but the goatee pretty much goes up in flames — other things have worn thin. Read full review
65
The VergeJoshua RiveraFeb 25, 2020
Bad Boys for Life is admirable in its lack of ambition. It’s here to serve action and comedy in roughly proportionate amounts, with big set pieces that are just thrilling enough to hook you and jokes that are just funny enough for you to hope no one dies. Read full review
65
SlashfilmChris EvangelistaJan 15, 2020
It’s the unexpected amount of heart that ends up making Bad Boys for Life a pleasant surprise. Read full review
63
RogerEbert.comOdie HendersonJan 16, 2020
Surprisingly, Bad Boys For Life is nowhere near as bad as its opening day schedule would indicate. It is the best of the three films, offering in some odd ways a corrective to the prior installments. Unlike the original, this one finds some depth in its female characters. Read full review
63
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanJan 15, 2020
The good-natured tension and ribbing between the two old “boys” is still there — and still a bit old hat — but there is a new dynamic that juices the entertainment factor. Read full review
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