10 Recent Movie Deaths Which Left Audiences Completely Stunned

Captain Howard, brought to life by the wonderful Joe Pantoliano, has been almost as important to the reputation of Bad Boys as Martin Lawrence and Will Smith have. The notoriously pissed off Miami police captain was involved in the films’ best moments, with the ecstasy scene in II being one of the 2000s’ funniest sequences, and shared such wonderful chemistry with both leading actors.

When he returned in Bad Boys For Life, much older, a little quieter and giving one of the best performances of Pantoliano’s career, it was a beautiful sight to behold. He talked with Will Smith’s Mike Lowery about ageing, about the history they shared and wondering what came after being a cop. It was an emotional moment and further established this sequel as something more heartfelt and melancholic than the previous two.

This made his sudden assassination even more shocking and heartbreaking, we had lost our captain so soon after getting him back. The way Smith sells this loss is a big factor in the shock, with anger and heartbreak present in every inch of his performance. It left audiences stunned and provided major motivation for the rest of the film’s narrative.