This week’s Dissection returns us to the world of BAD ASS, now with the 3rd installment of the apparent franchise starring Danny Trejo and Danny Glover. It takes our two retired badass down to Louisiana in order to foil a kidnapping plot. Long way from beating up a skinhead on a bus.
The Story
Frank Vega and Bernie Pope travel to Louisiana to attend the wedding of their dear friend Carmen Gutierrez. But the trip that they anticipated as a weekend escape to the South turns violent as madness and mayhem ensue, pressing our senior heroes to once again serve justice.
The Cast
Danny Trejo as Frank, From MACHETE to SPY KIDS, CON AIR to BUBBLE BOY, DEF JAM VENDETTA to FALLOUT NEW VEGAS, Danny Trejo has been around your favorite form of media for the last few decades.
Danny Glover as Bernie. Best known as Murtaugh from the LETHAL WEAPON series, he’s also appeared on films like SAW, PREDATOR 2, THE COLOR PURPLE, and ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD.
John Amos as Earl. Has appeared on films and TV shows like GOOD TIMES, ROOTS, DIE HARD 2, COMING TO AMERICA, and the soap ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
Loni Love as Carmen. Appeared on shows like THE REAL, CHELSEA LATELY, SMOKING GUN PRESENTS, as well as movies like SOUL PLANE, PAUL BLART 2, and the previous film, BAD ASS 2: BAD ASSES.
The Dissection
BAD ASSES ON THE BAYOU is a film that, if this were to continue, would be seen as the ARMY OF DARKNESS of the franchise. The first film was more about Vega and his story, along with his hunt for justice. The second took that and made it more of a duo movie by adding in Danny Glover as Bernie to it. The previous movies, while with their own silliness to them, had a grounded feel. With this movie, it goes to straight action and excitement. And in the end, the movie does do well for it.
The movie focuses a lot on Glover and Trejo, as the title Bad Asses of the film, and their chemistry is honestly one of the high points of the film. They have some good scenes together and they have good comic timing between them. There is a scene in the film where they bicker with each other during a tense moment, and they have to apologize after it, which feels a bit repeated from the last film, but it’s overall good performances from them as well.
As for the other cast, it’s good solid work all around. John Amos does good work as the retired ‘Nam veteran who wants to avoid violence until he finds himself deep into this issue, and is another great part of the film. As for Loni Love, she does a bit more than she did during the last film. She’s more here for the comedic and connection with Trejo and Glover’s characters, and it works well.
Frank, Bernie, and Earl walking with a purpose.
As said, the movie goes full blown action film. The first part of the movie has the duo foiling a bank heist, completed with armed goons in plastic masks and rifles. All over the movie, you got them getting into brawls with big guys, with the second and third act bringing in big explosion sets. It’s basically a RUSH HOUR style film for action. There’s also shenanigans with some twists and this big conspiracy plot in the story as well. The set pieces get a bit ridiculous, but the movie does seem to build up to it getting that way instead of being out of nowhere.
However, the film does have a bit of those moments. Without wishing to spoil the movie, scenes that involve guns seem to be the big sticking point during the film. Stuff like villains not firing guns when they should, and using the gun to knock out someone rather than killing them. Another is something that caps off the second act, involving our heroes facing down a group of armed goons. It’s just strange and is the only thing that grinds the movie down. Well, that and the soundtrack, which plays all over and feels out of place. It doesn’t help that the film traded in the music from the previous two films, that mix of Spanish and horns, and went with hip hop music. Overall, though, these complaints are minor to the film.
The DVD itself comes with only a behind the scenes video as it’s main extra. It does come only in English, with the basic English, Spanish and French subtitles, and starts off with trailers for other films hitting DVD.
The Verdict
BAD ASSES ON THE BAYOU is taking the series into this action route, and so far it’s working better than it should. The film itself ends on the promise of a sequel, and if it ends up getting made, it would be interesting to see. It’s definitely worth a watch.