Bad Boys 4 completely changes Captain Howard’s death with Major Recon

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Makes the death of Joe Pantoliano’s Captain Howard a major part of the story, but completely reframes the motive behind it. Many were surprised to see Pantoliano among the cast of Bad Boys: Ride or DieConsidering Howard’s fairly unambiguous death during the third film. Along with leading men Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, Pantoliano is the only actor to appear in every entry in the bad boys Movie franchise. Although Howard’s death was a shocking moment in the third entry, it served a narrative purpose.

Howard filled the role of the evil captain typical of most cop movies, but Pantoliano brought both humor and heart to what could have been a one-note character. Bad boys for life Underlined his love for his “bad boys” Mike (Smith) and Marcus (Lawrence), however Captain Howard’s death at the hands of Mike’s son Armando (James Scipio) raises the stakes. Bad boys for life Howard’s death looked like a revenge scheme by Armando and his mother, however ride or die Reveals there was much more to it.

Bad Boys: Ride Or Die changed the motivation behind Captain Howard’s death

Howard’s Bad Boys for Life death was due to a secret corruption investigation

The third film saw Mike being tormented by former lover Isabel (Kate del Castillo), and the son he never knew he had. On the surface, Howard’s sudden death was another way for them to hurt Mike, but when the captain is posthumously accused of corruption, Mike and Marcus learn that this is not the case. From talking to Armando in prison, Mike and Marcus learn that Howard has been greenlit for assassination due to his investigation into links between the cartels, the police and the FBI.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Main villain, James McGrath (Eric Dane), is a former DEA agent who worked with the cartels for years after 9/11; In exchange for helping them bring drugs into America, the cartels helped keep the borders safe. Howard learned of the Faustian pact but Mike and Marcus were out of the loop when two other cops he put on the case were dead. The captain kept his investigation, however McGrath eventually ordered Isabel and Armando to silence Howard when he got too close to the truth.

Captain Howard’s death is now linked to Bad Boys II

McGrath has been in the shadows for most of the Bad Boys franchise

Captain Howard makes several brief appearances throughout Bad Boys: Ride or DieMostly in the form of video messages he recorded before his death. These are intended to set Mike and Marcus on the right path while warning them not to trust anyone else in the department. This proves sound advice, since they are soon framed for murder and forced to go on the run. In addition to adding more context to the events of Part Three, ride or die Even links Howard’s murder back to the events of Bad Boys II.

The captain’s suspicions about corruption in the force are due to a failed drug raid, but after digressing further, Howard discovers links that go back to the Haitian Zoe Pound gang from the second film. This suggests that McGrath is working with this entry’s antagonist Johnny Tapia (Jordi Molla), helping his cartel bring huge quantities of ecstasy into Miami. if so, This makes McGrath one of the overarching villains of the entire franchise, even if he was unseen until Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Bad Boys 4 changed Captain Howard’s death so he could return

Ride or Die makes Howard’s murder a huge part of the story

Rather than a cheap death to surprise viewers, the impact of Howard’s murder has continued to linger in the bad boys Series. The captain’s final speech to Mike about reflecting on where his life is going has a profound impact on the detective.With the first guy even married when ride or die Begins. Despite pulling the trigger on Howard, Mike does not blame Armando for his death and is working to build a relationship with his son.

ride or die Smartly, Howard makes a part of the story through his video messagesGive the story some personal stakes. This made expanding on the motives behind his death a must, which also reframed the events of Bad boys for life. Mike and Marcus also have several dreams/visions of their late boss, whose ghostly words inform their actions. It wouldn’t have felt like a proper sequel without Pantoliano’s HowardAlthough as a potential Bad boys 5 Will deal with this is unclear.

While his death stood, the fourth installment was right not to try to undo his death. Armando must bear the guilt of killing a good man, while the impact of it weighs on every character, including Howard’s US Marshal daughter, Judy (Rhea Seehorn). Even though Bad Boys: Ride or Die Arguably the funniest outing of the saga so far, the Captain Howard story gives it an emotional grounding.

Source: Box Office Mojo, Rotten tomatoes