PHOTO BY FRANK MASI / WARNER BROS. PICTURES

The problem, as I see it: They’re no longer boys, and they’re not particularly bad.

Four films into the action-comedy saga, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” tries to recapture the irreverent police-procedural mayhem of the popular 1995 original. Or, at least, it hopes to maintain the accidental momentum of 2020’s “Bad Boys For Life,” which became the top-grossing movie of the year by default when the pandemic hit.

Unfortunately, the film’s stars can no longer do the jobs they’re paid for. Will Smith’s straight man is supposed to be a sarcastic, trash-talking font of cool swagger. The act no longer convinces; for one thing, he’s visibly too old for this nonsense. More vitally, though, the enduring echo of his globally viewed slap robs him of the ability to play cool — and certainly sarcastic.

Meanwhile, serving as a frantic comedic hurricane is no longer within the capabilities of Martin Lawrence. There’s no shame in any performer getting older and slowing down, but it’s uniquely sad when such a performer tries and fails to rant and flail like he’s decades younger. The movie begins with Lawrence’s character suffering a heart attack and facing mortality; if you thought that would lead to a meaningful and realistic reckoning, you’re watching the wrong franchise.

Or maybe you’re just in the hands of the wrong creative team. For all his faults, Michael Bay — who directed the first two films — knew timing, bombast and spectacle. Particularly in his ’90s heyday, Bay knew how to play to the strengths of his performers and surround them with compelling mayhem. His successors in the franchise, the Belgian filmmaking team Adil and Bilall, have no sense of timing and an uncanny ability to undercut action with pointless flourishes.

There are a few stray moments where glimmers of summer-movie fun can be seen; a giant alligator eventually shows up, which helps a bit. But such glimpses are buried in meandering plot and uninspired action.

They can’t even get the titles right. They called the previous, third movie “Bad Boys For Life,” robbing themselves the opportunity of a Prince-esque pun in this title. Plan ahead. Or, better yet, give up.

My Rating: 3/10

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is now playing in theaters.