Baywatch: Review

Baywatch is directed Seth Gordon and is the second TV to film adaptation this year, of yet another cheesy, early naughties program. In this modern reboot we see a perky life guard/beach safety enthusiast Dwayne Johnson ( or the Hasselhoff's fill in) lock horns with Baywatch trainee Matt Brody (Zac Efron) in an attempt to uncover the sinister drug scandal taking place right within the heart of the bay. 

Now most sane people, aside the rare Baywatch fanatic, would laugh in hysterics to be told an iconic show best known for big boobs and red spandex is being adapted into a feature film. Yet, here we are in 2017...Baywatch: The Movie. As you would expect, it's dumb, it's extremely silly and in some ways it's terrible, but Baywatch knows it and embraces it. 

Baywatch plays as a perfect if not better homage to the intentionally silly series. Straight from the opening as Johnson bursts out of water with the words Baywatch exploding onto the screen behind him whilst dolphins do tricks next to him. The tone is pretty much set. Throughout, lifeguarding is  portrayed very convincingly as an integral profession- and somehow works really well. This of course is aided by the fabulously well rounded team of ripped bods that truly makes this film as enjoyable as it is. There is a real sense of enthusiasm across the entire group, since everyone seems to be having a good time, we as an audience can't not have a good time. Dwayne and Efron may also go down as the most comical double act in recent cinema history. 

Aside the odd few jokes that fall face first into the sand, the abundance of pop culture references restrain the film from riding the wave of the original series and offer something a little more distinctive.  Some of the best gags even poke fun at Efron's earlier career as a high school musical member. However Gordon comes away from cruel, nymphomaniac bosses and believe it or not, finds the right balance between crude and rude. 

One of the most enjoyable aspects to Baywatch is its tireless effort to be a bad film. From its horrendous CGI to its trashy one liners, there is so much to love about the pure stupidity of it all. Gordon somehow creates a respectful yet offensive homage to the original series, that not only makes fun of itself but all other films in that genre. 

In the end Baywatch packs a surprisingly energetic punch, with a team so strong they could hold an entire seaside trilogy and a simple plot that manages to stay with you, there is something so stimulating and different about it. All toped off with a grand finale and a 'Yipee ki ye mofo' one liner, Baywatch is not only the pinnacle guilty pleasure movie but the pinnacle summer movie as well. 

I am going to give Baywatch:

7.5/10