The Last Boy Scout (1991)

In giving 1991's The Last Boy Scout a three-star review, critic Roger Ebert was properly performing his duty as an objective reporter, praising the filmmakers' professional skill while observing that "the only consistent theme of the film is its hatred of women." For the purposes of this capsule review, there's no such obligation to level-headed fairness; the simple truth is, this ultraviolent, action-packed vehicle for Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans is disgustingly rotten to the core. Not only is it fueled by a bitter and spiteful attitude toward women, it's also the kind of profanely vulgar movie that doesn't hesitate to put foul-mouthed children in the path of vicious thugs and potentially deadly situations. Willis plays an ex-secret service agent turned private detective who is hired to protect a stripper (Halle Berry) and then teams up with the stripper's boyfriend (Wayans), a disgraced NFL star who was kicked out of football for gambling. They catch on to a criminal plot leading all the way up to a corrupt football team owner who wants to legalize gambling on pro football. Willis and Wayans get in and out of all sorts of trouble along the way, and naturally there are plenty of explosions to go along with the brutal beatings, gunfire, and constant cussing. Shane Black (of Lethal Weapon infamy) set a Hollywood record (since broken, several times) for the sale price of his slick but vile screenplay, and Top Gun director Tony Scott handles the action with his trademark gloss and high-impact style. But, seriously, is this a movie that anyone could bear to watch twice? --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Did I just tivo Die Hard?

I love Bruce Willis - despite the fact that his characters tend to be one-dimensional, and the movies he's in tend to be heavy on explosives and light on plot. I am a hard core Die Hard fan (even the third and fourth installments). However, I was not thrilled with "The Last Boy Scout"

This movie was basically a Die Hard sequel with more gore and with a slightly less likable lead character. Cop-like character down on his luck - check. Same character having problems with wife - check. Same character spending most of the movie killing people, shouting one liners, and eventually saving the day - check, check, check.

I also DID find this movie to be misogynistic. I'm a little frustrated that most of the other reviewers didn't notice this aspect. The first woman we see (apart from cheerleaders) is a bare-breasted woman being held under water by a football player. We then get close-ups on a stripper's body parts while she dances - and is then killed. One main male character admits to cheating on his woman (said stripper) early in the movie. Finally, the "romantic" one liner is Bruce Willis saying "f#ck you" to his wife. Not really the most woman loving of films ...

However, I did occasionally laugh, and I did enjoy the surprise ending of the first football game we got to watch (though I was not sure how this played into the rest of the movie). And, of course, I do love snarky Bruce Willis ...

December 2, 2007

"water is wet, the sky is blue, women have secrets"

Well,despite the assembled cast in this film, this isn't one of Bruce Willis's best action flicks.Its a pretty cheesey/hammy action film made when Hollywood scripts were still heavily employing wise cracks and one liners,and this film is full of them,and a whole lot of something else.Damen Waynes as the "tag along" I'm goona help kick some A@!? character is fairly annoying as is the basic plot in this film,"the corruption of professional football".It comes complete with a really cheesy bar room jingle that just outright sucks,the singer even had the brass cojonies to have a mullet.This film is full of action,allot of unrealistic action,but its not the first,nor will it be the last.The foul mouthed 12 year old was a totally unnecessary character as were the retarded subplots trying too creep in and maintain the viewers interest which it vaugley does.Yes, Bruce has some funny one liners and I got a chuckle out of a few of them and I even liked some of the cartoony action,but the Last Boy Scout is a dud hands down and I'm sure that Bruce Willis today would much rather forget he was in this film.I suppose it was sort of a launching platform for Damen Waynes and even the Oscar winning Haley Barry in her hay day has a 10 minute onscreen presence before being cut to ribbons durring one of the major action sequences in the begining of the film.Bruce is a great/likeable actor, but sometimes too much of Bruce is too much,especially when he's out saving the world all the time from the likes of homosexual phsychos like in this film which was pretty freak'in lame.The Last Boy Scout is semi-watchable,but really nothing to get your panties in a twist over.Willis can be seen in other,better made action films if you know where to look...just take your pick. April 24, 2007

The Last Boy Scout

Action packed with mature humor mixed in. One of Bruce Willis's best films.
November 10, 2006

The only Tony Scott film worth bothering with...

I generally don't like Tony Scott's work, but I did like this film. Bruce Willis plays another smart a** character here, but Bruce's schtick was still fresh at the time, so it still works. Damon Wayans is very good as his sidekick. Aside from a grueling, cringe inducing opening scene (a takeoff on Hank Williams, Jr.'s Monday Night Football song, which is also cringe inducing), the film is filled with very violent action, great one liners, a good sense of humour, a decent story, and a great scene where you see a wide receiver pull a gun (NFL players, don't get any ideas). The film has no depth or substance, but I have to admit I liked it. This is the only Tony Scott film I really like. September 2, 2006

The Best Boy Scout

This movie is the true Willis vehicle and Damon Wayans only eggs the Man on...If you're looking for Oscar material, get over it. But! if you're looking for a goodtime, then this is it. I love this movie and Bruce Willis is in true form in this flick, Wayans is awesome too. Sometimes you get tired of watching the Fat A---d Rich guy Win time and again. This Movie is about doing what's right, even if it means going about it the wrong way...you gotta do what you gotta do and Willis does, with a little help from his Friends. I was Cheering at the Explosive ending and I Love when a low life gets his. This is a non-stopper and it only lets up to let you catch your breath and then you're off again. Willis gives new meaning to getting a "light" for a cigarette and shows us that "Yes" he can dance a jig. Wanna have some fun? Wanna Cheer for the Underdog? Wanna see how a Man stands up when the chips are down or his Kid is in Danger? "The Last Boy Scout" is your ticket. Great Action Flick! July 4, 2006

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