Instead of drowning out his stars with this maximalism, Bay’s style instead puts them on a pedestal. That feels especially ground-breaking since this was the rare studio action movie at the time starring not one but two Black leads.

Watched again now, Smith’s performance is weirdly subdued, as if all the emphasis is really on the established comic talent Lawrence, and Smith is his straight man.

... the pairing of Martin Lawrence and Will Smith generates a winning comic chemistry.

Those wondering if Bad Boys has aged well should know that it’s as feculent as ever.