Critics score:
89 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

Janet Maslin, New York Times: It eventually becomes nothing but ugly and sustains that quality to the bitter end. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: "Bad Boys" misses its chance at greatness, but it's saying something that this movie had a chance. I have a notion it will stand as one of those bench-mark movies that we'll look back at for the talent it introduced. Read more

Derek Owen, Time Out: An oxygenated, thoughtful alternative to the usual run of gangs-in-the-slammer movies. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Director Rick Rosenthal does a topnotch job of bringing to life the seedy, hopeless environment of a jail for juvenile offenders and has gotten some terribly convincing performances from his young cast, notably topliner Sean Penn. Read more