Ice Cube and Kevin Hart Hit the Streets Again in ‘Ride Along 2’

Alysia Gonzales

Ice Cube and Kevin Hart reprise their roles as James Payton and Ben Barber in the sequel to their last hit comedy. “Ride Along 2” focuses again on rookie police officer Ben Barber as he aspires to one day be a veteran officer like his future brother-in-law, James Payton.  The two team up again, this time, in Miami, Fl, to find and arrest the mastermind behind a new drug ring, all in time for the wedding to James’ sister, Angela, played by Tika Sumpter.

Ice Cube, while boasting an illustrious rap career as a part of the legendary hip hop group NWA, about which the film “Straight Outta Compton” is based, has been quite successful in the movie biz. Beginning in 1991 with “Boyz n the Hood” then four years later with “Friday” and continuing with those sequels as well, Ice Cube has made his mark in film.  With a small stint in family comedy in movies like “Are We There Yet?,” Ice Cube has been incredibly consistent with his popular and lucrative films.

Kevin Hart is a face more recent to comedy than Ice Cube, but he has quickly become a household name. Beginning in his early career with films like “Scary Movie 4” and “Soul Plane,” Hart has become the go-to funny guy in comedy coupling that with a successful standup career as well, his star is still on the rise.

To promote their new film, Ice Cube and Kevin Hart recently appeared on “Conan” in a digital short where the two joined Conan as he helped one of his Conan staff members learn how to drive. The short is absolutely hilarious as the four throw pennies at passing cars, talk to a police officer, participate in some illicit activities and enjoy some much deserved fast food. Watch it here.

“Ride Along 2” is the strongest film so far that could uproot “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” from the weekend box office number one spot where it has been since it opened back in the third week of December.  It remains to be seen whether “Ride Along 2” will kick into gear and take the lead spot.  

“Ride Along 2” comes to theaters nationwide on Jan. 15.