Film Review: Baywatch

Director Seth Gordon’s big screen adaptation of Baywatch is mildly entertaining, yet feels like a missed opportunity. The big names redeem the film rather, but not to a very great extent.

Lifeguards Mitch Buchannon and his crew patrol the beach, to safeguard visitors and keep an eye on suspicious activity. When Olympian Matt Brody shows up for duty, he must show he can match up to the competition…

Much-loved nineties television series Baywatch is the latest property to receive the big-screen treatment. Given the success of 21 Jump Street, it is not hard to see why filmmakers thought this would be a successful enterprise. Yet, in comparison to that film remake, Seth Gordon’s film falls short of the mark.

The plot of Baywatch is suitable enough. There is sufficient space for both action and humour to unfold. However, the main strand of the drugs found on the beach becomes a little laborious. Coming in at almost two hours, the film takes it time to reach its conclusion. This hinders the comedic aspect as a result. There are some amusing jokes, but not all generates laugh. The crude humour is hit and miss, and the repetitive jokes feel over laboured.

The film combines various narrative strands into its central plot. Brody functions to offer a redemption story, whilst CJ and Ronnie provide a romance angle. Both these ideas are fine additions, yet the former is a little over-egged. Like the television series, the film offers a plenty of shots of scantily-clad women. Yet, in 2017, Baywatch evens the scale by offering a voyeuristic view of Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, more often topless than not. The main cast are very likeable, and thus offer some redemption from the less stellar aspects of the film. Priyanka Chopra pitches the right tone in the antagonist role.

Above all, Baywatch feels like it squandered its potential. This is symbolised in perfect fashion with the cameo appearance by Pamela Anderson. She makes an appearance, yet is given no lines.

Previews: Spider-Man: Homecoming Trailer, Goodfellas, More!

This week’s preview of coming attractions features the new Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer, Baywatch, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, The Mummy, and more…

Spider-Man: Homecoming Trailer

Here is the full Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer. The film seems to be very much in the style of the recent Marvel films, not least with the appearance of Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark. Starring Tom Holland as the title character, and featuring Michael Keaton and Marisa Tomei, Spider-Man: Homecoming is set for release on 7th July 2017.

Baywatch Trailer

Here is the trailer for the Baywatch film. Whilst it is yet another film reboot of a television show, this one looks like it will be a lot of fun. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, and Priyanka Chopra, the film reprises the characters from the original television show.  Directed by Horrible Bosses‘ Seth Gordon, Baywatch will be released in Summer 2017.

Goodfellas Trailer

Here is the first new Goodfellas in 25 years, produced for the 4K restoration of the film. The film is being re-released UK-wide, and as part of the BFI’s Martin Scorsese’s retrospective season which runs from 1st January-28th February 2017. The classic gangster film will be re-released in UK cinemas on 20th January 2017.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 Trailer

Baby Groot is just enchanting. Here is the first real look at next year’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Guardians of the Galaxy was a brilliant mix of action, spectacle, comedy, and music, and the sequel seems to offer the same. The film sees the return of Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, and the voice of Bradley Cooper. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will hit UK screens on 28th April 2017.

Live By Night Poster

Here is the latest poster for Live By Night. Director, screenwriter and star Ben Affleck channels the classic gangster movie with his latest. Affleck collaborates with author Dennis Lehane once again (after Gone Baby Gone) for the Boston-set thriller. Featuring an all-star cast, Live By Night will be released in UK cinemas on 13th January 2017.

The Mummy Trailer

Here is the trailer for Universal’s The Mummy. The film is another incarnation of the series of films, the first of which was released in 1932. This version stars Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, and Annabelle Wallis. Much of the action seems to take place in London, continuing the trend of city being destroyed in big-budget movies. The Mummy will hit UK screens on 9th June 2017.

Transformers: The Last Knight Trailer

Here is the trailer for the latest Transformers movie, the fifth in this franchise. Mark Wahlberg returns in Transformers: The Last Knight, along with Stanley Tucci, Josh Duhamel, and Tyrese Gibson. Anthony Hopkins also joins the cast this time around. Transformers: The Last Knight is set for release in Summer 2017.

Film Review: Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses is a fun comedy that entertains throughout. All is forgiven, Jennifer Aniston. Well almost all. Not The Bounty Hunter.

Friends Nick, Kurt and Dale all hate their bosses. Nick’s boss Dave has psychotic tendencies. Kurt’s new boss Bobby is a habitual drug user. Dale’s boss Julia makes unwanted sexual advances towards him on a daily basis. The trio contemplate killing their bosses, but things don’t go according to plan…

Horrible Bosses works very well as a 15-rated comedy. The humour is sometimes lewd but never descends too far into crassness. There are some very amusing site gags as well as a script that is punctuated with humour throughout. The comedy has a universal appeal. It is not too close to the bone as to offend people, yet there are some darkly humorous jokes.

Seth Gordon’s film is well paced, and provides some tension (although this is never without humour). Given the premise, the narrative seems quite predictable from the outset. Nevertheless, the film features a number of small twists, making it more difficult to predict the outcome. Horrible Bosses does some of the things expected of it, but subverts other elements.

Considering that there are several main characters, it is unsurprising that the film relies on stereotypes to a certain extent. The trio of friends are sufficiently developed and have a believable relationship. However, the screenwriters have made the bosses into caricatures. This may sound like a negative, but it reality it is not. Given the genre, these over-the-top characters are responsible for much of the film’s humour. The bosses are given the freedom to be as outlandish as possible, making them far worse than the average nasty employer. As well as creating humour, this gives credence to the murder plot.

Horrible Bosses boasts great performances from its stellar cast. Jason Bateman is as watchable as ever as Nick, playing the straight guy to the more comical friends. Jason Sudeikis is a lot of fun as Kurt, while Charlie Day once again shows off his comedy chops as Dale. Jamie Foxx is amusing in a small role.

As Dave, Kevin Spacey appears to be playing a more heighten version of himself. Colin Farrell is wildly amusing as Bobby, but is sadly underused. Jennifer Aniston is great as Julie. It is refreshing to see her in a different type of role, which goes some way to redeem her recent film choices. Aniston also seems to be having a lot of fun with her character.

Horrible Bosses is highly recommended for mainstream comedy fans. Although it is unlikely to win any awards, it should prove very enjoyable for audiences.

Horrible Bosses is out in UK cinemas on 22nd July 2011.