Baywatch (2017) - USA
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
In terms of trashy entertainment, none is more aligned than the relaunch of 80s & 90s hit TV series “Baywatch”. Throw in The Rock and Zac Efron as the muscles and six packs and a bunch of sexy girls on a beach or bay, you got yourself a film version of an originally trashy TV show. Slow motion on the beach showing off balls and more balls depending on the genre. So to really have any sort of fun, we really need to go above and beyond a few drinks and then ignoring all types of cheesiness and corny dialogue, we get nice bodies to look at and a beautiful view of the bay to boot.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is probably lowering himself in making this effortless film. He gets to play big man and constantly cracks sad jokes at the expense of pretty boy Zac Efron. Efron is probably worst off with a character almost impossible to be likeable. Alexandra Daddario and Kelly Rohrbach provides the eye candy, meanwhile tech guy Jon Bass provides some much needed comic relief.
All in all, “Baywatch” is not just an insignificant film, but it aren’t really good for you, like bad junk food. Sometimes, it is worth reminiscing the roaring 90s, but for this one, it’s a tough ask and at times you don’t know whether to feel sorry for the actors or yourself. The Rock deserves better and Zac probably deserves better as well. Original cast David Hasselhoff and Pamela Andersen makes one second cameos.
I rated it 5/10