There are sly references to the previous films - a private conversation between the detectives is accidentally broadcast as in the second film and rats make an encore performance in the new one - but the filmmakers have forgotten that what makes this franchise work: The interaction of Smith and Lawrence in stressed environments. Joe Pantoliano returns as the Pepto-swigging detectives’ boss and DJ Khaled has a small role as well as putting together the lively soundtrack.
An understated Vanessa Hudgens plays a cool cop and Kate Del Castillo is on the opposite side in more than one sense, playing an absolutely unhinged cartel boss wife who uses witchcraft. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have taken over from Michael Bay in the director’s chair but the look of the film essentially mimics its predecessors, with saturated colors, quick cuts, muscular stunts and lots of pretty women.
