Yes, we’re all thinking the same thing: another cliché cop movie. While “Ride Along 2” has the same unoriginal storyline as any other cop movie, it’s a must-see for anyone who enjoys a good laugh.
Almost every police movie includes a quasi-fraternal relationship (akin to that of “21 Jump Street” and “Hawaii Five-0”) in which the pair explore the environs of drug-related crime. “Ride Along 2” is no exception. Although the storyline is hackneyed, the ongoing banter of Kevin Hart and Ice Cube offers comedic relief, and surpasses the comedic success of the first of the series, “Ride Along.”
In “Ride Along 2,” Ben Barber (Hart), an Atlanta-based rookie police officer, accompanies his fianceé’s enigmatic older brother and superior, Detective James Payton (Ice Cube) to the shores of Miami to investigate a potential drug ring.
Again, this storyline is nothing new. Every plot point, from car explosion to strip club, seems be an attempt to appeal to the stereotypical “macho-man.” Unlike many of its crime comedy counterparts, including the first “Ride Along,” “Ride Along 2” has one strong female lead, Detective Cruz (Olivia Munn). The lack of strong women in lead roles is disappointing.
Although the story is not particularly moving from a feminist perspective, it is somewhat redeemed by Hart and Ice Cube’s complementary pairing, which is guaranteed to make the audience to dissolve into fits of laughter.
That being said, this movie is definitely not for those who are sensitive to racial issues, as it relies on the justification of “it’s not racist if I say it,” to defend some racist jokes.
Hart and Ice Cube’ polarizing energies in their comedic approaches make them a dynamic duo. James Payton has a cool and aloof persona, while Ben Barber is more of a sensitive, video-game nerd who takes himself too seriously. Their characters’ dialogue seems to be true to their real-life personalities, which is evident in the screenplay because the humor feels authentic.
Though the comedy in the movie is nothing short of fantastic, the believability of the plot and stunts are particularly unimpressive. In fact, the stunts are even distracting due to their implausibility. In addition to being unrealistic, (read: “how could anyone survive that?!”) the plot was difficult to follow because it was not the focus of the movie. Rather, the focus was on the comedic dialogue because that was the only thing guaranteed to make viewers laugh.
With stereotypical boats, guns, scantily-clad girls, and shootouts, this movie proves that once you’ve seen one police movie, you’ve seen them all. However, it undoubtedly makes for a good night of lighthearted comedy.
