This Week in Movies: 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die,' 'The Watchers,' 'Hit Man'
From action to horror to comedy, this past week had a plethora of new cinematic tales for many to enjoy.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
To me, Bad Boys never seemed franchise-worthy material. Michael Bay had his fun with the first two movies, but bringing the story back in 2020 was a mistake after the trainwreck that was Bad Boys for Life. However, I have been proved wrong, as Bad Boys: Ride or Die delivers a rousing adventure full of comical moments and sleek action. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah step up their game this time around, constructing a film that feels like it must be seen on the big screen. The two elevate their stylistic approach to the story, deepening the impact of the brilliant performances of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Despite being predictable, the narrative stays entertaining as there is much fun to have with this new Bad Boys adventure.
Score: 3.5/5
The Watchers
Ishana Night Shyamalan, the daughter of famed horror director M. Night Shyamalan, makes her feature directorial debut with The Watchers. The film follows a woman who gets lost in the forests of Ireland, meeting three strangers trapped by the monsters that lurk within.
Currently, with an audience score of 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, people do not love this film, and I can understand why. Shyamalan wrote and directed a movie that follows pretty much the exact same formula as many of her father’s previous movies. So, if you do not love his films, this one will not be for you. For me, I enjoy a twisty Shyamalan feature that teeters on the border of corniness and pure terror, which is precisely what The Watchers is! I was enthralled from start to finish by such a gorgeously created atmosphere and some emphatic performances by the ensemble. Plus, some creative ideas, like tapping into folk horror, felt like a pleasant change from what the horror game has been putting out recently. Could this have been better? Yes. Is it slightly disappointing that Ishana Night Shyamalan stuck to an overused formula for her debut? Also, yes. Yet, I would be lying if I said I did not have a good time with this film. It has the spooks and creativity. The Watchers just needed a push to get it to that more original, stand-out territory.
Score: 3.5/5
Hit Man
Glen Powell is on the cusp of entering full-blown A-list movie star status, and his newest film, Hit Man, only proves that he is a force on his way to dominating the movie business. The film follows an undercover cop who is assigned to pose as a hitman for different people who are in the interest of killing someone they know. However, he gets pulled in the wrong direction when he starts to fall for a woman he is supposed to arrest but lets her go, causing some steamy chaos for our leading man, Gary.
Powell does a lot to sell this story, putting on many different personas that flow together with a distinct charisma that enchants the heart. It probably helped that he co-wrote the film with director Richard Linklater, as the duo shows a robust passion for their narrative. Sure, a few loopholes slip by, and the themes and messaging might be too in your face, but Powell and Linklater created a crowd-pleaser-type flick. Hit Man seems like a summer blockbuster that would have smashed in the 90s, and it is honestly such a charming piece of art that helps add a bit of spice into such a dull year of movies.
Score: 4/5