Bad Boys 1995

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Bad Boys ★★½ 1995 (R)

And you thought the old buddy-cop formula was played out. Well, Hollywood sticks with what works, and pairing the two TV personalities definitely works at the minimalist level required. Mike (Smith) and Marcus (Lawrence) are Miami cops who must track down $100 million worth of heroin stolen from their evidence room before internal affairs shuts down the precinct. The case leads them to a vicious thief and a beautiful female witness to his murderous handiwork. Plot lacks depth, but high energy and dazzling action sequences keep things moving. Loud adventure is made louder still by cranking soundtrack. Satisfying addition to the odd-couple cops genre with potential to spawn a “Lethal Weapon”-type franchise. Feature film debut for director Bay. 118m/C VHS, DVD . Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Tcheky Karyo, Tea Leoni, Theresa Randle, Marg Helgenberger, Joe Pantoliano, John Salley, Nestor Serrano, Michael Imperioli, Julio Oscar Mechoso; D: Michael Bay; W: Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland; C: Howard Atherton; M: Mark Mancina. Blockbuster '96: Male Newcomer, T. (Smith).