← Back to Directory
Bad Boys
Movie

Bad Boys

1995 • Action, Comedy, Crime

Woke Score
1.6
out of 10

Plot

Marcus Burnett is a hen-pecked family man. Mike Lowry is a foot-loose and fancy free ladies' man. Both are Miami policemen, and both have 72 hours to reclaim a consignment of drugs stolen from under their station's nose. To complicate matters, in order to get the assistance of the sole witness to a murder, they have to pretend to be each other.

Overall Series Review

Bad Boys is a quintessential 90s action film that focuses on high-stakes police work, fast cars, and the chemistry between its two male leads. The story centers on Marcus Burnett, a devoted family man, and Mike Lowrey, a wealthy bachelor, as they hunt down stolen heroin. The film avoids modern social lecturing, choosing instead to deliver a straightforward narrative of good versus evil. It relies on the distinct personalities and merits of its characters rather than their demographic identities to drive the entertainment. The aesthetic is unapologetically American, celebrating Miami’s energy and the individual heroism of law enforcement officers.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The movie features two Black leads whose race is incidental to their roles as competent detectives. The plot focuses on their friendship and professional skills rather than systemic grievances or racial lecturing. Casting reflects the Miami setting naturally without forced diversity quotas.

Oikophobia1/10

The film showcases a deep appreciation for American culture, luxury, and the police force. It portrays the city and its legal institutions as essential structures that protect society from chaos and criminal elements.

Feminism2/10

Traditional gender dynamics are the standard. Marcus is a committed husband and father, while Mike embodies a protective masculine archetype. The female characters are not depicted as super-powered or 'girl bosses'; they operate within conventional narrative roles without demeaning the men.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative is entirely heteronormative, focusing on Mike’s pursuit of women and Marcus’s domestic life. There is no presence of gender ideology or the deconstruction of the nuclear family.

Anti-Theism2/10

A clear moral compass guides the protagonists, distinguishing between right and wrong. The film does not attack religious institutions or promote moral relativism, maintaining a standard objective view of justice.