Movie Trailer Reviews

Did We Really Need Another Emma Adaptation?... Emma, by Jane Austen, is a comedy about a young woman of the aristocracy with a penchant for matchmaking. This isn't the first time this stories been adapted for screen. But Emma. may just be the best one. Kept period correct, this costume drama infuses Austen's story about the clever Emma Woodhouse with wit, humor and a realness (that didn't required playing with the order of events) that's refreshingly grounded.  As the highest ranking female, Emma's queen bee of her county town. She takes her role seriously and attempts to model class and elegance. But her ego and desire to mold the world to her will. Emma uses her social status to bring people together. Unfortunately, Emma's often short-sighted and misguided in what may be best for the people around her. But she's be successful often enough to be convinced her way is always best. So when she decided to take a young girl of "questionable" parentage under her wing and usher her into marriage her tactics and advice make a mess of things.  If any of this is starting to sound familiar, you may recognize the premise from Alicia Silverstone's Clueless. Director Autumn de Wilde captures the freshness that made Clueless work without sacrificing what makes this story timeless. Emma. a fresh take on a classic that makes brilliant use of a ridiculously talented ensemble cast without any one person sucking up all the oxygen.  We didn't need another Austen adaptation but if there must be one, Emma. certainly does it right. It's bright, ridiculous and delightfully romantic. Emma. stars Anya Taylor-Joy leading a top shelf ensemble including, Johnny Flynn, Bill Night, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart and Josh O'Connor.  Wherein Kriss and Brandon Have Opinions... The entire MTR crew caught a screening for this one. Listen in as they chop it up and discuss what kept them engaged in Emma.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  We are back and we are not that excited.  This season has felt very disjointed.  The Doctor is acting out of character for this iteration.  The show has introduced storylines and left them on the cutting room floor, not providing any connective tissue.  While we enjoyed episode 8, to introduce interesting characters like The Eternals and then to immediately shelve them left a sour taste in our mouth. We are hoping that Chibnall can safely land the plane but we believe some stuff is going to be left out, resulting in a lackluster season.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @TheDrIsIn2015   @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

We're back to discuss HBO's The Outsider.  Things are getting so good, Brandon jumped on board to discuss.  Terry's been arrested and revealed his alibi. It's got rock-solid proof he was nowhere near town when the murder occurred. But the DNA evidence linking him to the crime is still seemingly unbreakable as well. Detective Anderson' starting to feel like such a public arrest was a mistake. The Maitland family's being harassed and Terry's lawyer is out for blood. More pieces of the puzzle unravel and what, at first, looked like an airtight case soon unravels as witness and evidence continue to contradict.  Then in a turn that leaves the number one suspect dead and the murder victim's family in a destroyed, The Outsider up-ends what started like an ordinary police procedural and crime thriller. Now, what's better than  story where a main character dies before the lead detective admits there may have been better ways to go about establishing the truth? Finally, Folks Seem Ready to Investigate... From this point the show begins to intertwine the supernatural into everything as the story drills down on its players in the aftermath of a double tragedy.  But something's moving around this town enjoying the fall out and it has no intention of being stopped. Anderson reaches out to other investigators and Maitland's lawyer hoping to join forces in the hunt. This is point at which private investigator Holly Gibney joins the investigation.  We're inches away from outpacing the source material and for once, it seems like the best choice to be faithful to the story's deeper themes while making for excellent television. Ro, Latoya and Phenom decided one mega recap is called for because HBO's The Outsider decided to go all the way left as each episode deepened the "what the hell" factor at the show's center.  We're all convinced there'll be a lull in the episodes, but it hasn't happened just yet.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd   @TheMTRNetwork  

Universal's Dark Universe never really got off the ground. They had big plans for a MCU-like cinematic universe that focused on all of the Universal Studios monsters and well, that was a disaster. So instead, we get Blumhouse taking something like The Invisible Man and grounding it and leaning on some everyday horrors. What would happen if you took an abusive and controlling man, made him invisible and allowed him to stalk and gaslight his former girlfriend? The answer is a fairly solid thriller that is less horror and sci-fi.  The Invisible Man is far from perfect (Listen to our spoiler review in a couple of days) but overall it works. It's too long, has some missed opportunities story-wise and joins the long list of films that completely under-utilized Aldis Hodge. But despite all that, we highly recommend seeing this film Stay tune for the spoiler review which will release on this page to premium members Saturday.  This is MTR Premium Network content. If you are already a subscriber please log in to view/download episode. If you aren't currently a subscriber, you can sign up here. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

The Outsider: So That's How Y'all Gonna Do Him January 12th marked the premier of HBO's adaptation of Stephen King novel The Outsider.  The show's executive produced and written by HBO veteran Richard Price. The Outsider is a supernatural procedural as only King would decide to do it. There's murder, mayhem, small town upheaval, and a boogeyman. Stephen King novels are at the height of popularity once again after big film adaptations Dr. Sleep, It (Part I and II), Shudder's Creepshow and Hulu's Castle Rock.  It was only a matter of time before HBO threw it's hat in the ring. HBO's on a roll and it seemed like a good idea to keep up.  Ro and Toya, two among the many horror fans on the MTR Network, decided The Outsider was perfect for a read-along as they watch. Despite it's size (560 pages), this particular King story is a steady-building supernatural suspense story (or listen) that's easy to follow and digest. It shoves the weird directly in the middle of a police procedural and keeps you questioning. The show, however, reorders information for maximum use and plays with all the cards face up on the table. From the very start, it's best to brace because it's easy to miss something.  The Premise Cheerokee City's on the hunt for a vicious killer. A young boy's been found violated and mutilated in the woods and all the evidence points to favorite son, Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman). Everyone trusts Terry. He's been coaching Little League and Pop Warner football for years. Convinced they have an air tight case, Maitland police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) stages a public arrest. Anderson has Terry taken into custody in front of the entire town during the big Little League game.  HBO's The Outsider features a stellar cast all who bring depth and grit to a believable investigation happening under unbelievable circumstances. It's edgy and intense yet balanced with facts that keep you invested in both the investigation and the people. The Outsider's always had a contemporary feel but Richard Price brings an extra layer of authenticity to the game and it's ensured we're in for all ten episodes ride.  HBO released episode 1 and 2 back to back on the 12th. So, we'll be doing the show discussion in batches. Trust me, you'll definitely want the time to think about all the interlocking narratives before moving on.  This first review is general Stephen King discussion and our few of our favorite King novels and then we dig into the books themes and how the show kicks things off in episode one. The next review will cover episode 2 and 3. Then we'll take the show in batches (with hopefully some other folks from the network joining in the discussions) from there.  If you want to read along (or just pick up The Outsider) shop indie and thwart our would-be corporate overlords.  Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   Follow Ro on Twitter: @BookBlerd

This Valentine's Day, The Photograph throws back to the days of Love Jones and Hav Plenty (without the side of fuckboy) to showcase Black life and real relationship dilemmas without once feeling dated. And as if that isn't enough, the thoroughly sublime score comes courtesy of Robert Glasper.  Written and directed by Stella Meghie, The Photograph is 106 minutes of what really happens after the meet-cute moment in a rom-com. The pace is smooth - which is to be expected with a Glasper produced score - the cast stellar, and the story the type that needs to be normalized. These relationships, past and present, are emotionally rich without once relying on trauma or toxic dynamics to build dimension or set the mood.  The  Photograph is an Old Fashion Love Story...the Good Kind   The Photograph weaves its story around a man searching for something more and a woman working on being herself. It invites the audience into their lives deepening character development with necessary moments with family and friends. It's a fresh take on how (not) to carry one's baggage from relationship to relationship.  Love is hard even when if it's clear that the connection is one of the soul. The Photograph is romance and reality perfectly set to music. It's sexy, stirring and restrained in a way that disarms and charms despite any flaws.  Tentative Love Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfield) is a veteran journalist for a New York newspaper. He's working on a profile of Issac (Rob Morgan), a Louisiana fisherman in the aftermath Katrina and an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Issac shows Michael pictures while talking about his Gulf  experiences and life in Pointe à la Hache, Louisiana. One particular black and white photo of a woman he calls Christina leads to a discussion of "the one" that got away. Recognizing the name, Block adds a search for more Eames photos to his research once back in New York.  Famed photographer Christina Eames died unexpectedly leaving her daughter Mae Morton (Issa Rae) - and husband (Courtney B. Vance) - to confront the secrets left in a safe deposit box. Mae and her mother had an uneasy relationship. Christina leaves a heartfelt letter and one of the few photographs taken of her behind with answers to unasked questions. When Michael reaches out asking if her mother had any other photos of her hometown, the pair meet at the museum where she's a curator, and Michael's immediately captivated by Mae. Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield star in The Photograph from Universal Pictures The onscreen energy between Stanfield and Rae simmers. It's subtle and multi-flavored; never once feeling inauthentic or forced. It's an portrayal infrequently chosen for onscreen love affairs particularly those centering dark-skinned Black people. There are moments when the couple's energy falters but even those set a more realistic tone of a new relationship.  Visuals That Add to the Story There's a shifting discomfort between the pair that makes for a compelling counterbalance that keeps you from ever checking out of the story. Coupled with golden-edged visuals (Cinematographer Mark Schwartzbard) that make the most of shadow and light playing beautifully across brown skin, The Photograph is a stylish modern romance between equals. The Photograph and Legacy The Photograph is a generational story. Meghie uses a shifting narrative to guide Mae towards love and understanding; both of herself and her mother. A single photograph anchors an explanation of a mother's shortcomings. As the audience watches Mae and Michael inch ever-closer to one another, her mother's letter turns back time to the days of Christina (Chanté Adams) and Issac (Y’lan Noel) and a love that couldn't survive Christina's unwavering need to do better for herself.  Y'lan Noel and Chanté Adams in Universal Pictures The Photograph

Sonic Doesn't Suck And, that's probably all that matters given this project out the gate had to be forced by online fans to redesign their redesign of Sonic, a gaming staple who fans have been hand drawing on elementary school desktops since 1991.  Dated in even it's nostalgia -you'll be hard pressed to find anything done with the character in that last 30 years that could be considered revolutionary- Sega still managed to link up with the Fast and Furious production company (Original Film) to take on another speedy project.  Longtime Blue Devil worshipers can finally part praying palms and rest easy.  It's not a complete dumpster fire.  New fans however will either fall-in-like or fall asleep, and this goes for kids and parents.  Similar to Detective Pikachu, Sonic The Hedgehog is a blue blur of film adapted from a beloved gaming franchise that benefits from passable cgi, fun action, and ,despite no memorable moments, still manages to dodge enough plot holes to satisfy anyone excitedly plopping their butts down in the seats to see Big Blue. Speedy Summary The film opens with a cutely version we'll call Baby Blue racing through the his world.  These scenes are all animated stylized similar to Rise of the Guardian, where an owl from Legend of the Guardians, acts as Baby Blue's guardian.  Mama Owl drops some wise words of worry on Baby Blue who rebuffs while brushing his shoulders off, but then immediately is forced to make haste escaping pursuing threats in his world.  Cut some years into the future and our spunky hedge of a hog is chilling under a tree in his boy-cave rocking out to his favorite Wil Whedon playlists, reading comics, and stalking residents in the town of Green Hills, Montana.  He's bored and lonely in Montana -- understandably, there were better places to call home.  His favorite person is Sheriff Deputy Highway Patrolman Trooper Tom, whom he calls the Doughnut Lord.  Tom's wife is Maddie and both done bout had it up to their knees in horse droppings and small town slop-portunities.  Fast forward, heh, Tom gets a new job in the big city of San Francisco.  But, as he's leaving town Sonic alerts the whole world to his existence and the government puts Jim Carrey's Ace Ventura take on Dr. Robotnik on the case.  The film is about loneliness, family, finding your place in the world, and the absolute egregious government waste of our taxpayer dollars on maniacal Robo-incel drone projects. The Good Pace Lucky for you, like it's chat happy teenaged quickster, Sonic The Hedgehog hates the word "slow".  The pacing of the film doesn't give it's audience time to anything, which works in it's favor.  First you're here. Then you're there.  Then we're back.  And, it's over.  Sliiiiiide to the left.  James Marsden works well in live action and shoulders the film with a smile.  Tika Sumpter is cute.  Yay cute.  The town gets about as much time as it gets streets and hot news fresh off the wire.  Ben Schwartz does some great voice and MoCap work here making Sonic charismatic, kind, cool, and endearingly annoying. He even has a whole body Afro.  Which means he has a butt fro, and butt fros probably belong in The Bad Place.  Oh well.  Jim Carrey has his moments too, so if you've missed him here ya go.  Yay James.  Natasha Rothwell, feeling a little tied up, keeps it brief on screen for a short fun time!  I mean, it's Natasha Rothwell y'all, need more be said? The Bad Guise Ultimately, this film is not memorable.  It's a one and done, and probably never again.  All the running around is just bad on your knees.  Some where here lies a joke about Sonic not even being worthy of a Big Blu-ray.  Jim Carrey is doing way too much Carrey'ing on unfiltered and un-brokered.  The film needed more Crazy Karl, because the audience deserved more Crazy Karl, because come on guys it's Crazy Karl.  Tom has no real arch leaving him only necessary in a sequel to maybe scream "S...

OUR DOCTOR IS BLACK AND THERE IS NO GOING BACK!   You cannot take it away from us, no do-overs!  Can you imagine Jo Martin and Captain Jack traveling the Universe?  OMG it would be amazeballs!  We are back to discuss the disappointment that was Orphan 55, the delight that was Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror, and the mind bender that was Fugitive of the Judoon.  Does the Whoniverse have a multi-verse?  What precisely did the Master do to cause this (because we all know he had a hand in it)?  Take a listen!   Follow us on Twitter: @TheMTRNetwork @TheDrIsIn2015   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!

In the words of the great Michael Jordan: Fuck them Kids   Seriously, if you ever want to watch a movie that has you cheering for some kids to get exactly what they deserve, then The Lodge is for you. The Lodge is by no means perfect. It’s a little slow. And it doesn’t do a good enough job of hiding what’s really happening. But if you’re like us here at the MTR Network and like watching little brats who don’t know how to leave people alone, get what’s coming to them, then the end is the payoff you’re waiting for.   The Lodge is another film that really challenges what we consider “horror”. It’s not really “scary” but definitely has some creepy (and well shot) moments. And when things start to take a turn, it does have more of a traditional horror feel.   In the end we enjoyed this film despite some of its issues. We definitely recommend checking it out if it hits a theater near you.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

The first thing to realize about Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is that it’s not a Birds of Prey film but a Harley Quinn film. And that’s okay. As long as you come in knowing that, this film works (for the most part). Margot Robbie is great as Harley Quinn and is backed up of a cast of women that are solid (if not limited) in their roles. Best of all, this film has some of the best action/fight scenes of all the DC films. It really shows what DC can make when they give their films to directors who care about making films that respect their characters instead of making self righteous bullshit that claims to be “above” comic book films.   The only real problem with this film is the complete disrespect of Cassandra Cain. But we’ll talk more about that in detail in the spoiler review that will release after opening weekend. For now, listen to our non-spoiler review then go out and see this film. This is DC's second best film (right after Shazam!) and this is the type of film that DC makes that should make a bunch of money but probably won't. This is MTR Premium Network content. If you are already a subscriber please log in to view/download episode. If you aren't currently a subscriber, you can sign up here.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Let’s preface this with saying, 2019 was a great year for movies. There were a lot of great movies in all genres and many had diversity both in front of and behind the camera. It’s for that reason that this year’s Oscar Nominations are such a disappointment on multiple fronts. The lack of diversity is blatant. And even beyond that, some of the selections are just safe and boring. Sure, every year there are people and films that get nominated that shouldn’t have and those that get snubbed. But this year there is a clear problem. How does Brad Pitt get nominated for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood when his best acting performance last year (and in a long time) was Ad Astra? How are none of the actors from Honey Boy nominated? And are we really to believe that Cynthia Evrio’s Harriet performance was the best performance of a black actress last year? It’s all just a mess. We gather on this episode to talk about the major categories and why they’re such a mess, who doesn’t belong and who got snubbed. Give it a listen.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

The Rhythm Section should've been the start of a great spy thriller franchise. With Blake Lively starring as a young woman hell bent on revenge and Jude Law as the embittered MI-6 agent willing to use her as bait and Sterling K. Brown as an ex-CIA turned rouge information broker looking to eliminate enemies and make a few coins on the side. Instead this film is a hot mess of shaky cam, shallow character development and shoddy scripting.  The Premise:  Stephanie Parker's fallen into drugs and prostitution in the aftermath of her family's death in an airplane explosion. Stephanie feels guilty first because she skipped the flight that killed her family and second because she's the reason they were on that plane in the first place. When a journalist (Raza Jaffrey) shows up at the whorehouse this once bright college student now lives, claiming to have proof that her parent's death wasn't an accident Stephanie sets out to find the people responsible and kill them all.  The Problem:  Based on the book - and screenplay - by Mark Burnell by the same name, The Rhythm Section lacks structure, depth and quite frankly a point worth reaching. It should've been tense and engaging to watch this woman battle her way back to fighting fit willing to do anything to avenge her family. It should've been engrossing to follow her from city to city hunting down the ones responsible for their deaths. Instead, Burnell's script fails to capitalize on it's own solid story to bring the audience into a world that makes sense.  Listen to Phenom and Ro discuss why it's a good idea to just rent A Simple Favor to see Blake Lively at her best. Then join them on premium for the spoiler chat and hear exactly what this ass backward story needed to not.  This is MTR Premium Network content. If you are already a subscriber please log in to view/download episode. If you aren't currently a subscriber, you can sign up here. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @BookBlerd @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

We're finally back with our much promised Black Critic Roundtable talking about the Black films and performances of 2019. Overall, 2019 was a pretty good year not just for films overall, but black films and performances. We start off our discussion with the obvious Oscar contender Black & Blue starring Tyrese tears. Just kidding. Although we have to give the marketing team credit for the boldness of their "For Your Consideration" emails for this movie.  While there are a lot of good movies and performances to talk about, one thing that did stand out to us is that we seem to be moving out of slave movies into "civil rights" movies. And while there is nothing wrong with films like Just Mercy, Clemency and others, it does make us wish we could get more variety in our films outside of just leaning on black pain, suffering and our struggle to overcome.  But sit back and listen as we talk about our favorite (and least favorite) Black films and performances of the last year. You can also get an early taste of our disdain for the Oscar nominations. We'll be back before the Oscars to talk about the horrendous nominations and our picks. Stay tuned.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

The Gentleman Leans On It's Ensemble Mickey Pearson made his name selling weed to the London masses. His empire is vast yet completely under the radar. He's ready for something different and believes he's found a buyer for his empire in American billionaire Matthew (Jeremy Strong). What starts out as a simple deal turns into a journey we travel with what has to be the thirstiest most unreliable narrator Fletcher (Hugh Grant),  a private investigator looking to cash in all the information about Mickey and his deal with the highest bidder. Fletcher breaks into Mickey's number two man, Ray (Charlie Hunnam and pitches his deal as though selling a movie. Matthew McConaughey leads an all-star cast but he's not really the center of this story. More importantly the film's best moments come courtesy of Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell and his crew of misfit fighters (who really need their own series), and Henry Goulding. Rosalind Pearson as portrayed by Michelle Dockery is low-key yet compelling and deceptively integral.  This story happens with all the cards face up on the table.  Don't Miss The Context Clues  A shallow read on The Gentlemen would see it labeled: dated, tone-deaf and racist. That is until one remembers 1) this is a Guy Ritchie crime flick and 2) the narrations in the hands of by a scheming man trying to convince a criminal to give him millions of dollars. Fletcher is the living embodiment of problematic. He's here to sell a story and get a payday. So, it's natural to assume the ridiculously stereotypical embellishments are meant to be outlandish. The Gentlemen pokes fun at (and holes in) all the caricatures of typical gangsters and their bag men. Context is everything in this simple story and now's not the time to lose your sense of humor; unless you just want to have a problem with this film. Ritchie's shoving your trash-ass behavior in our faces this time around with flair.  This is a simple story intended to take you on a outlandish journey along with a crew that despite its best efforts never manages to resolve an issue without violence. I know, it's hard being the only grown up in the room. The Gentleman's stylish, irreverent, nostalgic, and intentionally problematic. Ritchie's signature moves take on new life, at a slightly slower pace, and thrives on chemistry and the haphazardness of all it's moving parts.  Guy Ritchie is back doing what he does best and the only bad thing about is he's created a few characters you'll wish got far more screen time.  Listen to Kriss and Ro's spoiler-free (it was hard y'all) review about The Gentleman; they had plenty of opinions. And, once you've seen this one for yourself, come back and hit up premium to hear what kept them invested in this ridiculous-ass hot mess of a business deal even. *UPDATE* Kriss & Ro's spoiler review is now up for Premium members below This is MTR Premium Network content. If you are already a subscriber please log in to view/download episode. If you aren't currently a subscriber, you can sign up here. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Bad Boys For Life is Surprisingly Solid We admit it. Not a single one of the MTR critics believed that the return of Mike Lowery (Will Smith) and Marcus Bennett (Martin Lawrence) would be anything more than a nostalgic money-grab with at best a few jokes and ridiculous wannabe explosions. Like most fans of the first film and this particular brand of action-comedy, even that fear wasn't enough to pull the movie off our watch-list. So, it's with great relief (and a touch of chagrin for the pre-roasting at the end of our Underwater review) that we are here to inform you that Bad Boys For Life is a damn good time.   They're Not Quite Too Old For This Shit Mile Lowery and Marcus Bennett are old school detectives in a shifting new-school world. Lowery's still braggadocious and reckless. Bennett still the one reaching for reason (and the seat belt). He's also ready step down and enjoy his life. Things change when unexpected foes - whose introductions are viciously on point - show up intent on wrecking havoc. It's soon clear no one will walk away unscathed. Old school tactics meet new school policing after Lowery gets sidelined, violently, and Bennett decides it's time to ride the bench. And what, at first, feels like just open season on members of Miami's criminal justice system - swiftly turns out to be very, very personal. Bad Boys For Life is wild y'all. We were absolutely entertained.  What's the Deal With Mike Lowery? The third installment in the Bad Boy franchise peels back the layers on Miami's "Bulletproof" Detective, Michael Lowery. Every wondered why he seems to be a combination of swagger, seething anger, and commitment issues? Want to know why he's so comfortable dipping his toe over the line onto the dark side? Well, wait no longer. Bad Boys For Life unpacks all his baggage...and then sets it on fire. Literally. WILL SMITH stars as Mike Lowrey in Columbia Pictures’ BAD BOYS FOR LIFE.   The film's almost entirely about show rather than tell. Thankfully, it's got a straight-forward plot with a healthy helping of emotional growth to keep things interesting. In terms of backstory, reveals, and karma, to paraphrase Phenom, this is the film Gemini Man should've been. Directing duo Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi waste no time proving Bad Boys wasn't been passed into the wrong hands.  Opening with the just the right tone to throw you back into the city of Miami and the world of this crime fighting duo, Bad Boys For Life is a funny, flashy and refreshing action-packed return of a crowd-pleasing comedic franchise. The unraveling mystery's riddled with dialogue that thrives on the kind of slander only long-time friends can get away with. While the film's steady-building pace stays wrapped up in intrigue, excellent choreographed shoot-outs and car chases, ridiculousness, humor, and violence. Just when you think the action-comedy can't hang, Smith and Lawrence are here to remind you why they're some of the best in the game. They've got more than enough chemistry and camaraderie to carry the day. Which just makes it even better that the pair made room for plenty of new faces and new energy to be mixed in. The supporting cast is interesting, essential, talented, and fine as hell.  Mike Lowrey (WILL SMITH), Rita (PAOLA NUNEZ), Marcus Burnett (MARTIN LAWRENCE), Dorn (ALEXANDER LUDWIG), Rafe (CHARLES MELTON), Kelly (VANESSA HUDGENS are prepping with new non-lethal weapons in Columbia Pictures’ BAD BOYS FOR LIFE.   There's plenty of one-liners, face-offs, gags and mayhem to make for an action-packed fun-as-hell good time.