Ride Along 2 – movie review

Ice Cube (22 Jump Street) and Kevin Hart (Get Hard) are back for a second dose of lowbrow comedy. In the original, which came out in early 2014, fast-talking security guard Ben Barber (Hart), newly accepted into the police academy, joined James Payton (Cube) – a taciturn, quick-tempered Atlanta police detective – in patrolling the streets. In an attempt to prove that he was more than just a video-game junkie, Hart tried to show his future brother-in-law that he deserved to marry Payton’s sister, Angela (Tika Sumpter). Barber became entangled in Payton’s latest case and experienced the most insane 24 hours of his life. Not only did their wild night lead them to the most notorious criminal in Atlanta, but Barber played a key role in bringing down the crime lord … and made it that much more difficult for Payton not to give him his blessing to marry his sister.

The sequel picks up about a year after the last adventure, a week before the nuptials. Plans for a quick trip to Miami go awry when their unorthodox policing gets them into a compromising situation that threatens to derail a major case and the upcoming wedding. Not content to work as a beat cop, Barber now aspires to be a detective, although Payton doesn’t think he has what it requires to do the job. It is only at Anegla’s pleading that Payton reluctantly takes Barber with him to Miami to follow up on a lead connected to a drug-ring he’s been trying to crack. Upon their arrival, they run foul of local homicide detective, Maya (Olivia Munn), who has no problem going toe-to-toe with the guys. The case also leads them to A.J. (Ken Jeong of The Hangover notoriety), a shady and cocky computer hacker who has evidence that implicates a well-respected businessman in a series of felonies. Enter the incredibly wealthy Antonio Pope (Benjamin Bratt), a charismatic executive who harbours a vicious streak and rules South Florida’s drug trade.

Tim Story (Barbershop) returns to direct the action-comedy that was written by Phil Hay (Clash of the Titans) and Matt Manfredi (Clash of the Titans), based upon characters created by Greg Coolidge (Employee of the Month).

Ride Along became an instant hit and grossed more than $200 million at the worldwide box office. One of the reasons – arguably the only reason – was the undeniable chemistry between the two stars. Think buddy comedy cop movie in the vein of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon. Others that immediately come to mind are Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte in 48 Hours, and Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in Rush Hour. In this case, Cube is the stern straight man with the iconic scowl, while Hart is the over enthusiastic, over effusive, motor mouth.

Boy, does the latter grate on one’s nerves. You can well appreciate Payton’s disdain. Of the four duos I have mentioned, this one is the least satisfying. Nevertheless, the filmmakers were planning the sequel even as they were shooting the first movie. Notwithstanding the full-on action and destruction that is part and parcel of the script, the storyline is thin and none too inventive.

Irritation factor aside (and it is, indeed, difficult to put that to one side), this is formulaic light entertainment played strictly for carefully manufactured laughs. There will be those – especially young men – who will appreciate the irreverence and ineptitude of Kevin Hart’s character in particular, although Cube is far more my style.

I knew what I was in for before I entered the cinema and Ride Along 2, rated M, is no better or worse than the first salvo, which I gave a 3½ to 4 out of 10.

Directed by Tim Story
Starring Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Olivia Munn, Ken Jeong, Benjamin Bratt, Bruce McGill
Release Date: 18 February 2016
Rating: M – Violence

Alex First