Baywatch
2017 · Directed by Seth Gordon
Original language: English
- comedy
- action
- crime
The story
Devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchannon butts heads with a brash new recruit. Together, they uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated Southern California daylight does most of the work here: sun-bleached sand, turquoise water, red lifeguard tower paint and tanned skin filling nearly every frame, with glossy digital photography, quick cuts and slow-motion strolls along the shoreline. The sound is pop-rock and bass-heavy beach-party music, punctuated by slapstick sound effects and the thud of action set pieces. Its vibe is loud, goofy and sun-drenched, the kind of movie that suits a hot afternoon, a lazy weekend, or a group watch where nobody needs to concentrate. Pacing is brisk and gag-driven, with the story of a seasoned lifeguard and a cocky rookie gradually becoming a team, their rivalry softening into mutual respect and a little affection. Intensity is moderate: a steady stream of crude sexual humour and innuendo, some fistfights, car chases and explosions, and a few gunshots, but the violence is cartoonish and bloodless rather than frightening. It is for viewers who want big-hearted, self-mocking escapism with lots of laughs and no real menace.
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