Genre: Comedy/ Action
Runtime: 115 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach, Jon Bass, Priyanka Chopra, Ilfenesh Hadera
Description: Devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson) butts heads with a brash new recruit (Zac Efron), as they uncover a criminal plot that threatens the future of the bay.
Review: The 80s television was dominated by “Miami Vice” and the next decade it was “Baywatch”, with a billion viewers. It wasn’t only iconic because of Pamela Anderson running in slow-motion in her red bathing suit, but also the restart of David Hasselhoff’s career. And since translation televisions shows into movies is a trend, “Baywatch” couldn’t be left behind.
Mitch isn’t played by The Hoff this time, but Dwayne Johnson. Zac Efron plays Matt Brody and Kelly Rorhbach is CJ Parker. It’s fun to see the same characters, but weird to see them being portrayed by different actors. Hasselhoff and Anderson both have a cameo, off course.
This film is nothing like the show. First, the comedy is pretty juvenile. A lot of ball/ boob/ sex related jokes. Second, there isn’t a lot of beach recuing going on. The characters are after a drug dealer that’s working their beach.
Off course, this is a film that doesn’t completely take itself seriously. And that’s exactly what you should do: don’t take it too seriously. It’s a joy to watch if you like beach bods and it is entertaining. But the film is way too cheesy and it doesn’t do the TV show justice (not that this was of such a high level, but it was my favorite show in the 90s).
Rating: 2/ 5
