Ride Along 2
Parents say
Based on 6 reviews
Kids say
Based on 13 reviews
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Ride Along 2
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Ride Along 2 -- the sequel to 2014's Ride Along -- is a buddy action-comedy starring Kevin Hart and Ice Cube. Expect tons of gravity- and death-defying action (explosions, destructive chases, shoot-outs, etc.) and humorous banter, the latter with a fair bit of swearing (including "s--t" and "ass"). There's also partying, social drinking, and allusions to cocaine smuggling, as well as plenty of innuendo -- plus scenes in which a woman entices her fiance to bed by wearing skimpy clothes and flashing cleavage.
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What's the Story?
A week before his wedding, Atlanta probationary cop Ben Barber (Kevin Hart) and his soon-to-be brother-in-law, veteran detective James Payton (Ice Cube), head to Miami on a mission to take down crime boss Antonio Pope (Benjamin Bratt), who's leading a double life as a legitimate Miami businessman. Convincing everyone else that Pope isn't what he seems may prove difficult. And it's unclear whether the guys can trust the hacker (Ken Jeong) who's double-crossed Pope and is now working with them. A local cop (Olivia Munn) might be able to help, but will she be enough to take on an entire crime syndicate?
Is It Any Good?
The original Ride Along smoothed over some of its many inconsistencies with the chemistry between its two leads; RIDE ALONG 2 doubles down on this formula, but it's wearing thin. Watching Hart and Cube develop into possible brothers-in-law in the first movie was reason enough to, yes, ride along with the thin plot. But this time around, Hart's Ben Barber doesn't seem to have gained any competency -- which would be fine, except the film relies on this cliche too many times. (Nonetheless, Hart still manages to squeeze some laughs out of the passable script.)
Adding Jeong to the equation mixes up the dynamic, but not by much. And Munn is a welcome addition, but the cast's considerable talents -- they're just fun to watch onscreen -- are wasted in this underwhelming sequel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Ride Along 2. How does the movie's comedic tone affect its impact? Are all types of media violence created equal?
How is this movie different from, or similar to, other buddy comedies? Which are your favorites, and why?
Why do you think Ben puts up with his future brother-in-law's disdain? Does that seem realistic?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 15, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: April 26, 2016
- Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Olivia Munn
- Director: Tim Story
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 101 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: sequences of violence, sexual content, language and some drug material
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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21 Jump Street
TV-based buddy comedy is crude but hilarious.
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Quirky buddy comedy mixes action, some raunchy stuff.
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For kids who love action and comedy
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