In the weeks leading up
to Ride Along in 2014, I was more than thrilled with
anticipation. I’ve been a fan of Ice Cube from his first
appearances in Boyz n the Hood, Friday, and Anaconda, that
started in the early 90’s. Along with his musical career, he was one of the few
talents in the African-American community that you could count on. Then with
him teaming up with Kevin Hart, who was becoming a known Hollywood
actor, provided every reason to be even more excited. Ice Cube played his usual
hard persona of dry monotone sarcasm, and Kevin Hart was able to do his job
making you laugh from all his crazy shenanigans. Though the overall outcome
with director Tim Story was unfortunately a disappointment.
The story was lacking, and the writing was poor, as if the two main leads had
no control. Instead of concentrating on a well thought out script, the writers
seemed to only rely on improvisation, and star power to sell tickets. It worked
in a sense, making enough money at the box office to warrant a sequel, but the
same mistakes were made in this film which is sad, and turns it into another
letdown.
Ben Barber (Kevin
Hart) is over the moon for his lovely fiancé Angela (Tika Sumpter),
and James (Ice Cube) her older brother just wants a man for her that
will provide and protect. With Ben being the dividing factor between the
two, his role is important. He was trying to win the approval of James in the
first film, and that same action is being repeated in the sequel. Their
relationship should’ve grown from that, which would’ve brought them closer
together. It didn’t and they’re constantly bickering while on police
assignments that never helps the situation. What also doesn’t work is Ben’s
character period. Kevin Hart plays multiple roles this time, and the film needs
to stick with the one that’s suitable. At times he’s playing his typical real
life self, over reaching for comedy with false authority. This isn’t who he is,
and is a reason I can’t support him. I want characters to be themselves
portraying confidence. Other times he’s using his skill set of smooth talking,
and polite mannerisms while interrogating, and it works. It provides strong
leads, and a green arrow to the next piece of the puzzle they’re trying to
solve. He should be doing this all the time. Instead he’s trying to be the
rough tough cop like his soon to be brother-in-law, and it’s like the annoying
fly at the family picnic that you just want to fly away.
So that’s where the
comedy takes place. Just like the fly that’s flying around, it’s all over the
place. Sometimes I laughed, while others I sighed. I’m honestly getting tired
of Kevin Hart using the joke of how small he is. It comes across as insecure in
a way. Every film he’s in he gets knocked down, or flipped over in some
exaggerated fashion. It makes you chuckle at times, but real comedy delves from
what’s true and real. It would work better if his character was written as a
clumsy fellow, but instead he’s treated like a worthless rag doll. Yet we’re
supposed to be on board with him as dominating force that will jump the broom
with Angela, and win the approval of James. The frustrating part is I know
Kevin Hart is funny, and I’ve seen it before countless times. Though funny moments
are genuine and not forced, and he isn’t delivering the goods this time. Just
him screaming, “James, James, James,” when he’s in trouble, which makes him
appear weak.
I’m not a fan of
comparing films to others, especially with each having its own goal they’re
trying to achieve. This time I feel I have to. Not paying too much attention to
the third film in the franchise, the Rush Hour series succeeds
where Ride Along fails. They had two opposing characters that worked well
together, who were able to be themselves, and contained a complete story that
held high stakes. The story with Ride Along didn’t have any. The villain
Antonio Pope (Benjamin Bratt) initially posed a threat towards the
beginning of the film, but towards the conclusion he became a forgettable foe
that wasn’t any more dangerous than an average thug. He actually was apologetic
to his own henchman when they didn’t reach his expectations saying, “I’m not
really going to kill you.” He started out a murderer, but then turned into
someone that only participated in a few illegal activities, and monologues for
minutes instead of eliminating his enemies. I felt no strong presence from him,
or the number of plot holes the story ignored.
I didn’t want much from Ride Along 2. All I
wanted was a few good laughs and a story that I could take somewhat seriously.
I wanted an average film that’s re-watchable, or served as background noise
when friends are over for a kick-back. Tim Story wasn’t able to put that
together. Other than the Think Like a Man series (who was
written by Steve Harvey), there isn’t anything special about his
films. They don’t grab you, change you line of thinking, or will last for years
as anything memorable. With a dry story, weak characters, and washed up comedic
elements, I’m as disappointed as I was the first time around. Hopefully the
director, and cast will craft something great next time they’re up to bat,
because now I don’t look forward to their future.