The Poster Memorabilia blog

It's Always a Good Time with these Bad Boys

Twenty-five years between the multiplex and the carpet, and a 1995 poster that finally got signed.

By an anonymous Hollywood insider

As far as buddy cop movies go, Bad Boys leads the pack for me. It's the funniest franchise in the genre, and you can't go wrong with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Those two made me laugh so hard when I saw it in theaters that I could barely breathe.

They really went all in when they paired these two actors together. It seemed like a no-brainer since they both got their start in sitcoms, but to cast them as co-leads in a buddy cop comedy? Genius! No wonder it spawned a successful franchise with four films spanning decades.

I'm so glad they brought it back in 2020. I really thought Bad Boys II was the last one since it had been a long time, but in an era of successful reboots and remakes, it was only a matter of time for this one to get a refresh, too.

What's even better is that they didn't remake it with new actors. They could've cast anyone to play Mike and Marcus, especially with a new slate of awesome young Black actors working today, but only Will Smith and Martin Lawrence can pull these characters off. And there was never any need to recast, since they're both still active and in tip-top shape.

“It brought me all the way back to 1995.”

So when they returned for Bad Boys for Life in 2020, I was there to see it all unfold. I went to the movie's LA premiere and saw them both in person. It brought me all the way back to 1995, when I was just a teenager going to the local AMC theater to see it with my friends.

Both actors still looked the same for the most part. They packed on a couple of pounds, but they were very much the Mike and Marcus I've watched on screen. Their maturity added a nice touch to the dynamic, though. I liked how more grown-up they were in the new film, but still as funny as ever.

I also got their autographs on my original Bad Boys poster. I got a good deal with the copy I bought from a memorabilia trader. It was in great shape, so I had no qualms bringing it to the premiere to have it signed. Having the two of them on it makes it the centerpiece of my whole collection.

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Meeting them was the highlight of the entire evening. They're both so nice to fans, interacting with us even as photographers screamed at them to pose for the cameras. Will Smith even shook my hand as I gave him my poster to sign. I had always heard that he was one of the nicest celebrities in Hollywood, and I was glad to confirm it that night.

Oh, I almost forgot! Joe Pantoliano also returned as Capt. Conrad Howard, and I got his autograph, too. It was nice to see another member of the original cast besides the main two. It really brought me back to 1995, almost like the entire gang was back together.

I met other cast members over the years, like Tea Leoni, Theresa Randle, and the late Tchéky Karyo. It was awesome seeing them all again, even though only Randle returned to the franchise and wasn't at the premiere. Bad Boys has always been one of the best comedies of all time, and I hope more people get to watch it.

Some things you watch. This one you keep.

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