Ride Along 2 is a 2016 action comedy movie starring Kevin Hart and Ice Cube. The story follows a clumsy rookie cop named Ben who wants to prove himself before his wedding day. He convinces his tough future brother-in-law, Detective James Payton, to let him join a mission in Miami. Together, they try to bring down a wealthy and corrupt drug lord who is shipping illegal goods into Atlanta. The movie has a very silly, fast-paced, and lighthearted tone filled with physical humor and car chases. In Miami, they work with a tough female detective named Maya and a quirky computer hacker named AJ. Ben uses his video game knowledge to crack codes and solve problems in funny ways. James remains grumpy but slowly starts to accept Ben as a real partner and family member. The main focus is on the silly friendship between the two main characters as they cause chaos in Florida.
Community feedback
Was our 21% Woke rating accurate?
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Ride Along 2.
Woke representation / casting
The movie features a highly diverse cast, including black, Asian, and Hispanic actors, along with a tough female detective. However, this casting is natural for the Miami and Atlanta settings and is played entirely for standard commercial comedy without identity-politics signaling.
25%
Woke political dialogue
No woke political dialogue or modern activist lectures are present in the film. The script focuses entirely on buddy-cop comedy tropes, action sequences, and standard banter.
0%
Identity-driven story themes
The storyline is a standard buddy-cop action comedy that follows the formulaic path of a clumsy rookie cop proving himself to a veteran detective. There are no themes focused on identity politics, systematic oppression, or social justice.
0%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The film does not contain any critiques of Western institutions, traditional family structures, or social norms. The villain is a corrupt wealthy businessman, which is a generic crime trope and not an ideological critique of capitalism or Western society.
0%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. The movie is an original sequel with no source material or historical characters to adapt or change.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
There was no public backlash, controversies, or complaints accusing the film of pushing a woke or politically progressive agenda. Discussion of the movie focused entirely on its comedy quality, box office performance, and cast chemistry.
0%
Creator track record context
The creative team has a mixed track record. While director Tim Story and co-writer Greg Coolidge keep their work non-political, major producer Will Packer is a strong advocate for DEI initiatives and racial equity in Hollywood. Co-writer Matt Manfredi and other producers also have a history of supporting diversity programs.
38%
Production
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