‘Everything old is
new again’ is a term to which Hollywood subscribes. Nothing is ever
discarded with old ideas re-heated for new generations. Television has provided
an abundance of material for films to plunder. An unlikely candidate is
the 90’s series ‘Baywatch’. Featuring beefed up dudes and scantily clad
ladies, ‘Baywatch’ was a huge hit and gave actor David Hasslehoff another shot
at stardom. It was also a creative abyss with the writing and acting low
on the radar. Nevertheless it leaps from beach to screen in all its gaudy
sun-kissed glory with its tacky surface complete.
The Baywatch squad
is an elite team of lifeguards ready for action. Roaming the beach
ensuring beach-goers’ safety is ensured, the squad’s leader Mitch Buchannon
(Dwayne Johnson) maintains a strict regime. His efforts quickly become
undermined by new recruit Matt Brody (Zac Efron) whose free-wheeling attitude
annoys Mitch. They don’t have long to argue when a body washes
ashore. Discovering the deceased was part of an enormous drug trafficking
ring, Mitch and his team aim to clean the beaches of this noxious form of human
seaweed.
‘Baywatch’
continues the trend of re-imaging TV shows as comedies by ramping up the kitsch
factor. It never takes itself seriously like the occasionally
over-earnest TV series with crude gags on high rotation. The threadbare
plot is there to facilitate the next slice of below the belt humour and witty
by-play. To its credit the ‘Police Academy’-style screenplay ensures the
performers embody their silly characters and gives them something to latch
onto. Johnson, Efron and their co-stars throw themselves into the smut
with a gusto that’s to be commended.
Seth Gordon directs
with a light touch and times the gags well. Pacing is everything in comedies
and there’s barely a moment to be bored. There are occasions that are just as
appalling as the TV series although anyone expecting an Oscar-worthy movie is
watching the wrong thing. ‘Baywatch’ is meant to be dumb, over the top
fun and it mostly succeeds. The action sequences are exciting as it
mirrors its television forebear well in that area.
Not quite a
cinematic abomination, ‘Baywatch’ is dopey entertainment for those liking this
type of movie. The cinematography captures the film’s comic-book feel
well and the cast are clearly having a good time. Once is enough for this
motley crew though as the thought of another sequel would be as bad as hearing
original star David Hasslehoff warble another shonky tune.
Movie Review Rating
out of 10: 5
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Agree with Patrick's Movie Review? Then please use the
comment box.
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie
releases in Australia.
TRAILER
No comments:
Post a Comment