- Cult Classic: It has been a long time since most moviegoers thought of the title to this film without initially thinking of the far more iconic Bad Boys (1995), but viewers are full of praise for the raw performances (especially considering how few credits most of the stars had) and story.
- He Really Can Act: Eric Gurry (Barry Horowitz) came into this film fresh off Author! Author! (1982), a critically panned (at least at the time of its release) family comedy where the child actors were accused of trying too hard to be cute by some critics. Here he's frequently singled out as a highlight of the film, playing a Cute and Psycho Mad Bomber who surprisingly acts as The Lancer in an alternately chilling and heartwarming way.
- Jerkass Woobie: Barry is a cold-blooded killer, but his Affably Evil attitude and epic Freak Out can make it heart-wrenching when he is sent to solitary for what is implied to be months or even years.
- Moe: Caring Morality Chain J.C. has a powerful, affecting presence that can make the audience want to hug her just as much as Mick does.
- Moral Event Horizon: Drug dealing punk or not, Paco may seem like he has the moral high ground over Mick for the first half of the movie after Mick recklessly causes the death of Paco's little brother and initially denies responsibility. Then he remorselessly decides to rape J.C. just to hurt Mick.
- Retroactive Recognition: Sean Penn, Ally Sheedy, Clancy Brown, and Esai Morales are all just getting started with their careers with meaty roles in this movie.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Ymmv/BadBoys1983
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