Will Smith's Mike experiences several panic attacks during the first Bad Boys movie that transformed him into a megastar. Smith's turn as cocky Miami cop Mike Lowrey changed audience perceptions of him, and he followed up with more hits like Independence Day and Men in Black.
It was Smith's immense chemistry with co-star Martin Lawrence that really made the Bad Boys series a success, though. Bad Boys: Ride or Die broke a Rotten Tomatoes record for the series, and grossed over $400 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). The latest film continues Mike's gradual evolution from a flashy, brash womanizer into a mature, introspective man. The most recent entries have seen Mike undergo some major changes, which include surviving a shooting and marrying his physical therapist Christine (Melanie Liburd).
Every Returning Actor In Bad Boys: Ride Or Die
The latest installment in the Bad Boys franchise featured several familiar faces returning for significant roles and cameo appearances.
When Mike Has Panic Attacks In Bad Boys: Ride Or Die
Ride or Die gives Mike a new challenge to overcome
There is a key sequence during the first act of Bad Boys: Ride or Die when Mike dreams about the murder of Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) at the hands of his son, Armando (Jacob Scipio). This is intercut with visions of him marrying Christine, and he is clearly already disturbed about the thought of losing his wife when he learns of the corruption charges being leveled at Howard.
This leads to Mike's first panic attack following the assault on Fletcher's (John Salley) club, where he is so overcome that he collapses during a chase and is nearly run over by villain McGrath (Eric Dane). In the aftermath, Mike refuses to label what happened to him a "panic attack," and presses ahead with the investigation. He has two milder attacks throughout the story; the first is when he, Marcus (Martin Lawrence) and Armando survive a helicopter crash, and the second is when he learns McGrath has kidnapped Christine.
Neither of these episodes is as intense as the one Mike experiences outside Fletcher's club, but they see him overcome with anxiety and taking a moment to catch his breath. Bad Boys: Ride or Die's ending sees the team taking on McGrath in an abandoned amusement park, where it appears Mike's worst dream is coming through. While McGrath holds Christine at gunpoint, Mike receives his most intense panic attack during this standoff and is unable to shoot despite having a clear shot at McGrath with his sniper rifle.
In what is certainly a reference to Smith's infamous Oscar incident where he slapped host Chris Rock, Mike is brought out of this attack by Marcus slapping him many times. After this, he is able to push through his fear to rescue Christine and take McGrath down.
Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and Joe Pantoliano are the only actors to appear in every Bad Boys movie.
Why Mike Has Panic Attacks In Bad Boys: Ride Or Die
Bad Boys' former confirmed bachelor suddenly has a lot more to lose
A key factor behind Mike's panic attacks in Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the fear of losing his loved ones, no matter how hard he fights to save them. He's been through repeated traumas since Bad Boys for Life, including learning the son he never knew he had killed his mentor Howard while also trying to kill him. His partner Marcus also survives a heart attack during Mike's wedding reception, so death is weighing on his mind when Ride or Die's story kicks off.
Mike has learned the hard way he's not as invincible as he once thought, and despite being over 50, he's finally learning to act like a grownup. This is what triggers Mike's panic attacks throughout Bad Boys: Ride or Die, since he suddenly has more to lose than he used to. He's terrified of losing Christine or his son, and this feeling of constant anxiety begins to overwhelm him. It's only thanks to Marcus' unconventional slap therapy in the finale that Mike is able to press ahead.
Mike's Panic Attacks Are A Major Development For Will Smith's Bad Boys Character
Ride or Die continues Mike's evolution
There wasn't a whole lot of depth to Mike during the first two Bad Boys movies; he liked fast cars, beautiful women and shooting guns. This was in contrast to Marcus, a devoted husband and father content to avoid violence whenever possible. The action became so outlandish in Bad Boys II that the sequel borders on being a cartoon, but one of the best achievements of the belated third entry Bad Boys for Life was grounding the franchise once again.
Mike might still be holding onto the notion of himself as super confident and capable, but these panic attacks show a more human, vulnerable side.
Mike had to confront the notion he wasn't that slick young man anymore and start to imagine what his future might look like. Bad Boys: Ride or Die finds Mike in arguably the best place he's ever been emotionally - but that comes with a new set of challenges too. The fourth installment was wise to continue evolving Mike as a human being; he might still be holding onto the notion of himself as super confident and capable, but these panic attacks show a more human, vulnerable side.
What Mike's Panic Attacks Mean For His Future After Bad Boys 4
How will Bad Boys 5 continue Mike's growth?
Mike's panic attacks play an important role in Ride or Die, but they don't stop him from taking down the bad guys, as always. Overall, the tone of the fourth entry is looser and sillier than Bad Boys for Life, to the extent that Marcus has a major heart attack but spends the rest of the movie running around and firing guns. None of it is meant to be taken too seriously, so while humanizing Mike is a great touch, the sequel is still intended as an action blockbuster first and foremost.
The Bad Boys Franchise |
Box Office Gross |
RT Critics Score |
RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
Bad Boys (1995) |
$141 Million |
43% |
78% |
Bad Boys II (2003) |
$273 million |
24% |
78% |
Bad Boys for Life (2020) |
$427 million |
75% |
96% |
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) |
$404 million |
65% |
97% |
It's unknown if Bad Boys 5 will happen, but considering Ride or Die's critical and commercial success, it will probably go ahead eventually. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Mike, or if his panic attacks will continue. The fourth film implies he was "cured" by Marcus' slaps, however. After repeatedly mocking Marcus for his attempts at self-improvement in the past, it would be interesting to see Mike embrace things like therapy or meditation next time.
His marriage to Christine may even lead to children, so Mike could become the family man in the next Bad Boys. There's also the fact Marcus and Mike are inching closer to retirement age, and there are only so many times they can dodge bullets and explosions as cops before they yearn for a quieter life. Impending retirement would be another intriguing hook for the next outing to explore, as it's hard to imagine Mike not struggling with the idea of not having a badge or a gun.
Source: Box Office Mojo
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
- Release Date
- June 7, 2024
- Runtime
- 115 Minutes
- Director
- Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah
Cast
Mike Lowrey
Marcus Burnett
WHERE TO WATCH
Bad Boys: Ride or Die continues the action-packed saga of Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. The film follows the duo as they face new threats and personal challenges, blending intense action scenes with the camaraderie fans have come to love in the Bad Boys series.
- Writers
- George Gallo, Chris Bremner, Will Beall
- Franchise(s)
- Bad Boys
- Studio(s)
- Columbia Pictures, 2.0 Entertainment, Don Simpson Films, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Westbrook Studios
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