A surprise January film release is like a gift from the movie Gods for Hollywood. Back in 2014 that arrived in the form of director Tim Story’s smash hit, Ride Along — starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart.
All three players are back in another January ride as Ride Along 2 does the comedy sequel thing and ups the ante on many levels. Our locale has changed (Miami for Atlanta), players have been added (Ken Jeong and Olivia Munn) and the stakes are higher (a drug dealer — played by Benjamin Bratt — is bringing contraband into Miami and selling it in Atlanta).
Oh, and the action scenes are quite elevated as well – and to borrow a quote from Seinfeld, “They’re spectacular.”
This time out, Hart’s Ben Barber is merely days away from marrying the sister of Cube’s James Payton. Ben is a rookie beat cop and James is still doing his thing as one of Atlanta’s best detectives. After a drug bust goes south in Atlanta, they realize that the real problem lies in Miami, so James is charged with forming a team to go to the Sunshine State and crack the case wide open. James’ sister Angela (Tika Sumpter) thinks that Ben is getting a little too involved in the wedding planning so she asks her brother to take Ben with him and we’re off!
The additions to the franchise are decent. It’s great to see Jeong play an informant type who’s a computer expert who has worked for Bratt’s Antonio Pope and Munn is a Miami detective who is as brash and intense as Cube’s James. The hilarious twosome of Ride Along becomes a well-oiled foursome in Ride Along 2.
What makes the Ride Along movies to watchable and enjoyable is the chemistry between Hart and Cube. We could watch these two bicker and banter all day long and there is just something so magical about the pairing. Cube is the ultimate straight man and as he has proven with his highly successful work in the last several years, Hart is the comedy go-to king of Hollywood of the moment. Ride Along 2 is hilarious, but doesn’t truly break any real new ground than what we saw in Ride Along.
That’s okay, comedy sequels are not supposed to do much more than they did the first time around. It’s the rare film (like Peter Sellers’ A Shot in the Dark) that explores new territory and pushes the boundaries. Ride Along 2 is a safe bet and for those looking for a winter escape from the dreary doldrums of the outside world. Why not head to Miami with Cube and Hart and prepare yourself for some enjoyable, sunny and mindless fun.
Grade: B-