The Curse of Failed Reboots Broken With 'Bad Boys For Life' - How?

It was turning out to be a rather unfortunate and bizarre trend of reboots failing left, right and centre, where last year saw the maximum chunk of failed presentations coming in.

The latest to be joining the reboot bandwagon was Will Smith-Martin Lawrence starrer, Bad Boys For Life and even though the initial reviews for the film were great, it was waited to be seen if that box office will be as good. Fortunately, it has been a great time for the film and the numbers have been amazing too.

So, how did this curse break? Box office experts say “Bad Boys for Life” escaped the tragic fate of many recent (and immediately forgotten) reboots, thanks to the comedic chemistry between Smith and Lawrence. In his Variety review, chief film critic Owen Gleiberman said the film avoided feeling like a cash-grab because Smith and Lawrence “never let us feel like they’re going through the motions.” He added, “‘Bad Boys for Life’ should find an audience, because it builds on its predecessors to become something that’s easy to give into.” That notion proved true: It was awarded an “A” CinemaScore from moviegoers and holds an audience average of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

“The marketing campaign showcased that, while the same ingredients that made the first ‘Bad Boys’ movies so beloved would definitely be included in this reboot, there would be a fresh enough take on the concept to make it not feel like a tired rehash,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst with Comscore.

"January has always been a place for late-year films to find favor, but massive brand-new debuts have generally been a rarity,” Dergarabedian said. “Studios that take risks and see a land of opportunity where others see a box-office dead zone are often rewarded.”

Sony likely had a hunch “Bad Boys” would again resonate on the big screen. Even before the latest entry hit theaters, the studio announced a fourth movie was in the works. Since it’s in the early stages, it’s too early to tell when the next installment will be released, or how receptive audiences will be to another go-around with Miami’s notorious detectives.

“The magic formula of picking the perfect amount of time to wait between a rebooted franchise and any follow-up film is the multi-million-dollar question,” Dergarabedian said. “Absence can make the heart grow fonder, but too long of a wait can make the heart — and potentially the audience — grow weary and disinterested.”