The Last Boy Scout

The first film where I had to diametrically change my rating after a second viewing a few years later. I just knew what I had to expect: a wacky buddy movie by Shane Black that suggests a lot, except something mundane. And it works brilliantly. And yet, The Last Boy Scout, other than the theme song, doesn’t excel at anything. So, like Bruce says to his wife at the end of the film, "Fuck you, Shane" – sometimes you really get on my nerves, but I still love you. (08/29/2015)

It is primarily a whirlwind of excellent wisecracks that make you forget about the simplicity of the story and the rather clichéd plot. Tony Scott is the type of director who doesn't really care about anything and just does whatever he wants, and thank goodness for that. The Last Boy Scout is a very fast-paced, modern action flick that doesn't get boring even after watching it multiple times. The biggest asset is, of course, the tough guy Joe Hallenback fantastically played by Bruce Willis. An excellent and stylish gem that perfectly captures the great atmosphere of the 1990s. (01/29/2006)

The Last Boy Scout was the movie that made me realize that it is not enough for me to hit someone; they have to be taken down verbally first for me to have a good time. I also realized that the world is a dangerous place, Satan Claus is lurking, and we have to be prepared. I have learned some general truths: water is wet, the sky is blue, and women have secrets. In other words, this movie was incredibly good for me as far as memorable lines go, especially in the original version, which I have at home on VHS and which is much punchier than the one you see on TV today. I just had an incredible time watching it, and I still quote a lot of the lines today. Plus, Willis is in top form here, and I find him perhaps even better than in the Die Hard movies. I think the character of Joe Hallenbeck is perfect; I like heroes who are anti-heroes and are more on the fringes of society and make fun of everything and themselves. It is action-packed, suspenseful, and very funny. It has also got some food for thought, and so whenever I am in a bad mood, this is the first movie I reach for. Plus, when I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, the first thing that comes to mind is "Nobody likes you. Everybody hates you. You're gonna lose. Smile, you fuck." So when I had to choose my top movie, it was clear what to choose, because this one indeed shaped my character. (04/02/2015)

Shane Black wrote a brilliant screenplay that suits him perfectly. It's criminal, it's gritty, yet it's entertaining. There are great characters, and on top of that, an intriguing story that takes you into unfamiliar environments. Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans are a great duo and their dialogue is absolutely awesome. Tony Scott directed it brilliantly, especially the scenes with Willis' film daughter are superb. (06/10/2016)

The Last Boy Scout is one of those movies that I would have enjoyed immensely, let's say, at the age of 18. I've been 18 twice already, and evidently, I'm not the target audience. I'm not a fan of action movies and I expect more from a film than just a barrage of one-liners and an invincible hero. On the other hand, a fan of the genre can give it five stars without a second thought, and there is no reason to be surprised by the film's popularity. It has two notable assets, namely Bruce Willis in the lead role, with a script tailor-made for him, and he was also at the ideal age to handle such a character. He's exactly that casual, phlegmatic guy who, despite his wilted appearance, crazy lifestyle, and family problems, can take care of an entire army of criminals without unnecessary emotions and even comment on the situation with a sense of detachment. In my opinion, the character is too cool, but as I said, I'm not the target audience. The Last Boy Scout is also a film where every shot exudes lightness and exaggeration, with which the director and screenwriter approached the project. It's not a smart film in the true sense of the word, like the famous Die Hard, because it has a very average script that doesn't exceed the usual genre clichés. Moreover, for the same reason, it is highly predictable, so whether the heroes are plummeting off a cliff in a car, crashing into a tree at full speed, or being targeted by concentrated gunfire, the viewer has absolutely no worries about their favorite characters. On top of that, it's a clichéd film full of notoriously familiar situations, where the villain describes for two minutes with a tough grin how he's going to shoot the hero, instead of calmly pulling the trigger, and where the hero approvingly compliments the top-level professionalism of the gangsters he had just gunned down when the viewer sees their incredible stupidity. Overall impression: 65%. (03/21/2010)