The Last Boy Scout (1991)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Tony Scott

Writers (WGA):

Shane Black (story) &
Greg Hicks (story) ...

Release Date:

13 December 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The goal is to survive.

Plot:

A down and out cynical detective teams up with a down and out ex-quarterback to try and solve a murder...

Plot Keywords:

Mob Hit | Black Quarterback | Drug Addiction | Political Corruption | Cuckold

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Bruce Willis	...	Joe Hallenbeck
Damon Wayans	...	Jimmy Dix
Chelsea Field	...	Sarah Hallenbeck
Noble Willingham	...	Sheldon Marcone
Taylor Negron	...	Milo
Danielle Harris	...	Darian Hallenbeck
Halle Berry	...	Cory
Bruce McGill	...	Mike Matthews
Badja Djola	...	Alley Thug
Kim Coates	...	Chet
Chelcie Ross	...	Senator Baynard
Joe Santos	...	Bessalo
Clarence Felder	...	McCoskey
Tony Longo	...	Big Ray Walston
Frank Collison	...	Pablo

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic violence and very strong language.

Runtime:

105 min | Germany:96 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:16 (cut) | Finland:K-16 (cut) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | USA:R (certificate #31522) | Australia:M (TV rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | Germany:18 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - 3911 S. Figueroa Street, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Geffen Pictures

Trivia:

The card Jimmy Dix signs for Joe's daughter is a Pro Set Superbowl Super Heroes card. That set, which was produced by the only card company ever fully endorsed by the NFL, was made only in 1991 and featured stars of the NFL's biggest game.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Joe pulls his gun on the kids trying to steal his watch the hammer is cocked. When he pulls it back into the window of the car, the hammer is down in an un-cocked position.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Locker Room Kid: Billy Cole. Billy Cole.
Head Coach: The first half stunk! Open the holes up! Get in there like hogs! Like pigs!
Locker Room Kid: Billy Cole. You got a call on line three.
Head Coach: Let's go out there in this half and kick some butt! Let's get out of this town as a winner! I hate Cleveland!

Movie Connections:

Spoofs "NFL Monday Night Football" (1970)

Soundtrack:

Gett Off

One of the best in its field!

Before commenting on the movie itself I would like to explain my position on "judging" movies (since I'm a newbie here). Namely - IMHO, one has to analyze the "how", not the "what". Meaning - if you, for instance, compare this movie to a, for example, Pasolini / Bertolucci / Tarkovski / Whoever-else, you won't get far. There's no way to choose between a melon and a steak - one is a main course, another is dessert. Now then, all I gotta say on the actual movie is: an excellent specie of a purely commercial entertainment for grown-ups with a lot of kid stuff inside. The advantages and limitations of the genre - which is your typical action with a twist of comedy - are played on beautifully by the great action hero (who, IMHO, is also much more than that) Bruce Willis with his usual charisma and self-irony. Damon Wanes gives a very decent, even if a bit "afroamerican-comedy-club stereotype" performance, every note is in it's rightful place, though he is not as yet the actor we know from "Bamboozled". Danielle Harris is easy-going, natural and convincing as a teen daughter of the Last Boyscout. Chelsea Field is a bit shallow in this, your standard "wife". I think the role needed more "soulsearching". Taylor Negrin was too "cartoony" for my taste, a bit over the top, so didn't affect me as scary, which was obviously intended. The screenplay is fast, alive and has a good balance of drama/comedy, without rubbing our faces in either. Tony Scott keeps it interesting with his very own and unique visual style. On the whole - a highly enjoyable quality entertainment. WATCH IT - HAVE FUN!