Warning: Contains spoilers for Bad Boys: Ride or Die!
Bad Boys: Ride or Dies Ending resolves several lingering plot threads from previous movies and underscores a major theme carried over from the previous entry in the series. The fourth film in the bad boys series, the film reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as Mike and Marcus, a pair of Miami police department detectives. Each of the films in the series featured savage action, with the pair dispatching hundreds of name criminals over the years. Fifteen years passed between the second and third films, with Bad boys for life Highlighting how new generations of cops like Vanessa Hudgens’ Kelly and Alexander Ludwig’s Dorn can help them move forward.
five years later, Bad Boys: Ride or Dies characters reveal some quiet big recons in the history of the series, revealing that Captain Howard’s death in Bad boys for life Was connected to a secret plot that controlled Miami for years. In the process, Mike and Marcus also get the chance to confront more complex and personal dilemmas, such as Mike’s relationship with his son Armando (played by Jacob Scipio) and Marcus’ brush with death. Although the film resolves most of the plot by the end of the film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die Also quietly teases potential directions for future films in the series, confirming the future of the bad boys Franchise.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s villain plan and mole identity explained
Bad Boys: Ride or Die Connects the villains to the antagonists of Bad Boys 2 & Bad boys for life
Bad Boys: Ride or Die Overlooks two of the previous films in the series in silenceConnecting them all through a wide-ranging conspiracy between the drug cartels and the Miami police. One of the great reveals of Bad Boys: Ride or Die Centers on Lockwood, a lawyer and James McGrath, a member of the US It turns out that the pair were part of a conspiracy with the cartel, allowing drugs to be transported to Florida in exchange for their help in monitoring the border. While technically done to “protect” the nation from terrorists in the aftermath of 9/11, the plan ultimately corrupted the authority in Miami.
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How Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s villainous plan retools the franchise
The drug dealing in Bad Boys 2 is revealed to be part of this conspiracy, as well as Bad boys for lifes Isabel Aretas. Growing suspicious after the events of Bad Boys 2It turns out Captain Howard spent years looking into the conspiracy. This was the real reason he was put on Isabel’s hit list, leading to his death at the hands of Armando in Bad boys for life. The revelation connects all the films in an overarching conspiracy that used the power of the police and the military to spread the drug trade in Miami. This also makes McGrath and Lockwood two of those bad boys Franchise’s biggest overarching villains.
Why Mike lets Armando escape
Mike’s son could be the future of the franchise
Armando is introduced in Bad boys for life. The main murderer for his mother Isabel, it turns out he is also Mike’s illegitimate son. at the end of Bad boys for lifeArmando spared his father and was finally arrested for his crimes. Armando plays an important role in Bad Boys: Ride or DieAs he is the only one who can identify McGrath and help unravel the conspiracy in the Miami PD. Much of the second film follows Armando as he, Mike and Marcus try to reach the city to discover the truth. In the film’s climax, Armando works alongside Mike and his allies at AMMO to bring down McGrath, getting himself badly wounded but surviving the ensuing fight.
After saving Howard’s granddaughter Callie in the process, Armando earns an unexpected reprieve from Callie’s vengeful mother Judy. This gives Mike the opportunity to help Armando escape. After finding common ground and proving Armando is capable of redemption, Mike allows Amarando to escape to potentially continue on a more heroic path. Armando could potentially take charge in future stories, return to Mike’s life or possibly even carry out his own form of justice elsewhere. Mike’s willingness to let Armando escape speaks to his faith in his son and his chances for redemption.
The meaning of Marcus’ visions explained
A near death experience plays into Marcus’ role in Bad Boys: Ride or Dies finale
Early in Bad Boys: Ride or DieMarcus suffers a near-fatal heart attack at Mike’s wedding. This causes the character to see a series of visions that affect him for the rest of the movie, even convincing him that he has become functionally invincible because it is “not his time yet.” One of the most important of these visions focuses on Howard, whom Marcus sees standing next to a tree and a parrot on the beach. This is when Howard seems to tell Marcus death hasn’t come for him yet. This ends up being a portent for the film’s finaleWhere Marcus discovers a similar tree and parrot before being caught by McGrath.
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Forced to choose between McGrath killing Marcus or his wife Theresa, Mike realizes that Marcus’ belief that he is unkillable was teasing the moment. shot Marcus non-fatally in his bullet-proof vest, Mike is able to surprise McGrath long enough to shoot the villain Multiple times. Marcus survives the film’s ending, but seemingly comes to terms with his mortality once again while insulting Mike for his decision to shoot him to save the day.
How Mike Overcomes His Panic Attacks in Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s Ending
They are connected to the past of the character
One of the biggest storylines of all time Bad Boys: For Life Centers on Mike and his new pattern of panic attacks. This is a major change for the fourth bad boys Film, as Marcus believes he is invincible while Mike’s confidence is completely gone. It is eventually revealed that Mike blames himself for the death of his captain, with his role in the events of Bad boys for life And Bad Boys: Ride or Die Heavy on his conscience. Mike freezes at several key points throughout the film, something he has to overcome in the end.
In the third act of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Mike freezes again at a vital moment. However, he then has another vision of Captain Howard, one that assures Mike that Howard’s death is not his fault. This allows Mike to finally get over his guilt and return to who he once was, giving the character his confidence back. This is the push Mike needs to complete his character arc and wrap up the story Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
How Bad Boys: Ride or Die sets up a sequel
The bad boys aren’t getting any younger
Bad Boys: Ride or Die Ends on a largely optimistic note for the main characterWith Marcus and Mike reunited with their families safe and sound. Although Mike does not know what became of Armando, his role in the climax of the film and their farewell indicated that the character will remain a more heroic figure in the future. A potential sequel could bring back the character and check into his future endeavors, confirming one way or the other if Mike’s hopes for his son are well-founded. For AMMO, the end of Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a major victory, with Rita and Dorn both surviving their brushes with death during the final stretch of the movie.
However, even with the secret conspiracy at the heart of the films resolved, there are some lingering aspects of the bad boys world that could be addressed in a sequel. Lockwood’s public and romantic association with Rita may cast suspicions on her integrity going forward. The cartel alliance with Lockwood and McGrath is now over, meaning there may be a vacuum for other criminals to try to fill. Mike and Marcus are also both confronted with their mortality in the movieWhat can be further focused on in a follow-up that really forces them to reckon with their age.
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Bad Boys 5 has not been confirmed yet
While there are many ways that the story of Bad Boys: Ride or Die May be continued in Bad boys 5A fifth film has unfortunately not been confirmed yet. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are both open to returning Bad boys 5But the next film has not been announced, meaning that the studio can wait to see how Bad Boys: Ride or Die Does before greenlighting another movie.
The real meaning of bad boys: ride or die
Working with the future heroes is the key to restoring the past
One of the underlying principles of Bad Boys: Ride or Die Focuses on legacy and family. The revelation that Howard had been secretly working on an investigation for a decade and a half before his death highlights the dangerous nature of their work. In each of the three primary parent/child relationships in the film, the parent’s willingness to stand by and trust in their child benefits the world. Mike’s faith in Armando is rewarded with a chance to bring down McGrath. Marcus’ son-in-law Danny shows his pride and saves Marcus’ family, earning him a long-time respect from Marcus. Callie stepping in front of Armando convinces Judy of killing her savior.
Each of these instances sets up a greater good in the long-termand prove crucial to saving Howard’s legacy and uncovering the truth about McGrath. It builds off similar themes of new generations realizing their potential in Bad boys for lifeHighlighting how the form of justice that Mike and Marcus fight for thrives in others, even as they continue to throw themselves in the line of duty. Bad Boys: Ride or Dies Ending highlights the value of fighting for the truth of the past along with future generations is crucial to carry out justice.