Film Review: BAD ASSES ON THE BAYOU (2015)

The original Bad Ass (2012) was not a film that anyone expected to be any good but the film is anchored by Danny Trejo’s down to earth “everyman” who just so happens to be old and ready to kick some ass.  When Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses (2014) emerged it was more of the same only funnier because they added the original “Lethal Weapon” Danny Glover to the cast and it was a two-for-one deal made in over-the-top violence fashion as only a low budget production can do.  Now we have Bad Asses on the Bayou (2015) and all bets are off as our two favorite old guys with bad attitudes go to the Deep South for a wedding but get mixed up in police corruption, kidnapping, and rednecks of all kinds. 

Frank Vega and Bernie Pope (Trejo and Glover, respectfully) are invited to Louisiana by their wealthy friend Carmen (Loni Love) who is getting married.  On the night they arrive Carmen is kidnapped by some local rednecks and held for ransom and only Frank and Bernie are willing to do what it takes to get her back even if they have to tear up the whole state of Louisiana to do it.  To add to the team this time around is celebrated actor John Amos as Carmen’s father Earl who believes that there is an alternative to violence to solve your problems.  Now the three of them must find a way to work together in order to save Carmen before it is too late.

To be honest, the film is pretty predictable and pretty unoriginal in terms of the script but none of that actually matters as this is one hell of a great wild to be on as Frank and Bernie do what they do best which is beat up and kill a lot of people as only aging older people can.  The thing that sets this apart from most other films in this genre is that these characters embrace being old and overcome those hurdles at every turn (or sometimes not).  Writer and director Craig Moss has done a fantastic job with guiding this franchise through all three films and for fans of the first two films you will not be disappointed here (but if you’re a redneck you might be a little offended).

The joy in these films is the fact that Trejo and Glover are magnificent together.  This is as good a team as Mel Gibson and Glover in the Lethal Weapon films. I for one can’t wait for what chaos these two get into next.