By Murtaza Ali Khan
Featured in IMDb Critic Reviews
Baywatch, directed by Seth Gordon, stars Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Zac Efron in the roles of lifeguards who have the responsibility of patrolling a beach in California along with a bunch of female lifeguards. The film is an offshoot of a popular television series of the same name which ran in its original format from 1989 to 1999 before a new format of the show was introduced called Baywatch Hawaii which went on air from 1999 to 2001.
As one expects, Dwayne Johnson plays the tough guy with a heart of gold, it is Zack Efron who is the movie's surprise package. But, by far the movie’s biggest attraction is Indian actress and former Miss World, Priyanka Chopra. Paramount Pictures seems to have big plans for Baywatch and it is highly likely that the movie would pave the way for a full-fledged film franchise. However, a lot depends on how well the movie fares at the box-office.
While Baywatch's plot seems straight out of some wannabe James Bond film with a female supervillain but quick burst of action and occasional humor make it an entertaining film. You can definitely check out if you are looking to spend some fun time with your friends.
We all are aware how gifted an actress Priyanka Chopra is. Over the last decade or so in Bollywood she seems to have done it all in front of the motion picture camera, whether it’s romance, action, or comedy. She made her American television debut a few years back with a show called Quantico and since then her international fan following has become tenfold. In Baywatch she plays an impulsive business woman named Victoria Leeds who just can’t take a ‘No’ for an answer. As Victoria, Priyanka is both seductive and deadly—a predator on the prowl waiting for her helpless prey.
Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson needs no introduction. When he was in the wrestling business there was no one better than him when it came to wit and sarcasm. Now that he has become one of the world’s leading movie star his comic timing still remains right up there with the very best in the movie business. He certainly is blessed with the gift of the gab and when he throws those punchlines they get simply the job done. When someone he rescues compares him to the Batman, he retorts, “Yeah… only I am bigger and browner”.
Zack Efron is known for his dramatic roles and has hardly ever been seen as an action hero. But all that has changed with Baywatch. He now looks like a chiseled demigod. In Baywatch he plays an Olympic gold medalist swimmer and his physique does her character full justice. Efron just nailed it with his new avatar. Hoepfully, it isn’t just a one-off thing.
Baywatch is all about adrenaline pumping beach action and the television franchise wouldn’t feel disappointed. The real icing on the cake are actresses Kelly Rohrbach and Alexandra Daddario who are a sight to behold.
Baywatch is certainly an entertaining film but there is little in it that we haven’t already seen. Despite the clichés and gimmicks the fact paced narrative ensures that the viewer doesn’t get bored at any point in time and remains engaged throughout.
John Bass gets a play a rather bizarre part in Baywatch but he somehow makes it look likeable and relatable. Yes, his character Ronnie is the butt of all jokes but he is someone who knows how to take it sportingly. The bizarre dance he performs for Victoria Leeds would give you a laughing fit.
In many ways Baywatch is synonymous with two names i.e. David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson. And so it is only fitting that both of them make cameo appearances in the movie. Baywatch fans couldn’t have asked for a more sumptuous treat.
Rating: 6.5/10
A version of this review was first published in Wittyfeed.
Baywatch - Official Trailer (YouTube)
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Good review however, I cannot get myself to sit through yet another remake of something that helped up the silicone boob manufacturing industry ;-)
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