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Ride Along 2 (2016), PG-13, ★1/2

Ice Cube and Kevin Hart re-teams again...unfortunately.
Well, another cop sequel, another sequel that we have to suffer through. Many producers who has promote movies regarding cops in a comedic situation can pitch the idea for a sequel. However, studio executives think about the money most of the time since its predecessor was a hit. But, hey, money is money. You have two of the infamous actors and they team up nicely. It is too bad, though, that the movie, as a comedy, is a miss because it is another retread.

James and Ben (Ice Cube and Kevin Hart) are two cops who once again screw up a case in Atlanta as they try to infiltrate a drug dealer named Troy (Glen Powell) and gets James' partner shot even though they arrest Troy. James reprimands Ben for his actions for his partner getting shot. Lt. Brooks (Bruce McGill) assigns James to go to Miami to see who Troy was working for. Ben wants to go himself to prove how he is capable of handling the mission but nobody is interested of him.

Ben is planning his wedding to Angela (Tika Sumpter) later and he complains to her, as she tries to seduce him, that he is not able to go to Miami. Angela calls James to persuade him to take Ben with him so she can continue planning the wedding. He refuses her offer at first, but thinking about his chances, James offers him the trip to Miami so he can prove how worthless a detective Ben is. James and Ben drive down to Miami, where all the women in bikinis are and all the villain are, too, and meets Detective Maya Cruz (Olivia Munn) and all three of them get off on the wrong foot.

Hart, Cube and Ken Jeong. No!
I don't know what to feel about this movie. It is a January release that has sort of a plot that does not take off. The jokes are the same as the surprisingly non-dismal first movie, even though, it was an ok movie. But, this fares in pale nuance compared to the first movie. The jokes does not land as often as it does in the first movie because we expect what will happen with the two male characters.

Ice Cube and Kevin Hart are talents and they deserve better. Cube just groans and does his usual look when he thinks that Hart screws up yet again but repeatedly. Hart still has charisma to lead a movie but he has not caught a break yet with a lead role, however his supporting role in the first Think Like a Man movie still maintains my attention because he is hilarious. He has some funny moments but the screenplay treats him as a human being getting hurt and screaming dialogue. Olivia Munn is one-note as just a strong female cop who does not provide gravitas. Benjamin Bratt is not villainous at all, he's too macho. And, Ken Jeong...I think his fame in movies is really waning.

Director Tim Story is not a great director and I think his best movie is still Barber Shop, which a solidly camaraderie film in the days of the barber shop. This movie is a factor of wasting everyone's talent and money and time yet again in trying to get connected with the action and comedy. But, I was not into this buddy-cop sequel. They need to watch both 22 Jump Street and Lethal Weapon 2 and maybe, Rush Hour 2, to find out how it's really done but in an entertaining way. This movie is nothing special to return to, even if the movie has some moments and Kevin Hart's charisma.

*1/2



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