Bad Boys II is a “B” movie with A-list actors and a blockbuster budget. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return with Joe Pants (check on his name) as members of Miami’s finest. This time they are cracking down on Russian and Cuban ecstasy dealers.

            Joining the cast is Gabrielle Union as Lawrence’s sister from the DEA office in New York and Smith’s love interest unknown to Lawrence.

            In a nasty turn of events, she is kidnapped and taken to Cuban territory. Given the relations between our country and Cuba, it is up to a covert tactical task force to infiltrate the drug lord’s mansion and rescue Union.

            The film is full of high octane car chases and gun fights, but the story seems drawn-out and the plot is stretches reality thin. It may be the curse of the sophomore slump, or it could be a matter of producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay just falling back on a familiar formula without really investing in the script.

            Even though the 2 ˝ hour movie is about 40 minutes longer than it need be, the extras on the DVD are a nice addition. The disc includes deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes and a music video from Jay-Z.

Grade: C (Movie), B (DVD)