Seth Gordon’s action-comedy flick, Baywatch, premiered in 2017. It is inspired by the famous television series Baywatch which aired from 1989-2001. The series was known for its slow-motion running on the beach, dramatic rescues and good-looking lifeguards. Infused with a modern and cheeky twist, the movie stives to capture this essence.
Mitch Buchannon, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, emerges as the dedicated head of the Baywatch lifeguard unit who meticulously enforces safety regulations. The plot takes place on the beaches of Emerald Bay, Florida. His heroism coupled with a self-serious demeanor characterizes the lifeguard commander. Mitch’s job goes beyond ensuring safety, as he treats it almost as a sacred calling. With iron-will discipline, he commands his team with military precision and works fervently to shield the beach and community from any possible danger.
Mitch’s commitment is put to the test when Matt Brody, a disgraced Olympic swimmer with a bad-boy reputation, is forced into the lifeguard training program for public relations purposes. Brody, portrayed by Zac Efron, is conceited and dismissive of everything around him, self-centered to the core which creates friction with Mitch.
During their training, tensions undergo in the middle of a high-stakes bay-side surveillance operation, only to uncover a criminal conspiracy under the Leeds, a wealthy businesswoman played by Priyanka Chopra. Leeds aims to privatize the beachfront, eliminate competition through violence, and drug trafficking. While the local police prove ineffective and corrupt, Mitch and his crew decide to take matters into their own hands.
As lifeguards, they balance team dynamics, romance, rivalry, and their work duties while engaging in increasingly absurd off-the-clock operations. These conduct chasing smugglers, infiltrating nightclubs, and even conducting amateur autopsies.
Mitch and Brody team-up for an explosive climactic fight on Victoria’s yacht, where they must save the bay from her nefarious plans and work together for a change.
Main Cast and Characters
Dwayne Johnson as Mitch Buchannon: Johnson portrays the physically and socially commanding Mitch Buchannon, bringing sincerity and soft-spot humor to a character that aims to protect and shield his team. Strong Johnson delivers a charismatic touch as well as effortless comedic timing which helps the character break out of the action hero mold.
Zac Efron as Matt Brody: Efron takes up the role of a cocky Olympic swimmer looking for redemption. After initially sneering to perform the duties of a lifeguard, Brody evolves towards becoming more team-oriented during the course of the movie. In the role that was comedic and somewhat self-reflective, Efron managed to juggle between vulnerability and vanity.
Priyanka Chopra as Victoria Leeds: The role of the main antagonist was given to Chopra which allowed her to display elegance and menace at the same time. The character’s criminal ambitions help provide the bulk of conflict for the plot, though reviewers often remarked her character lacked sufficient development.
Alexandra Daddario as Summer Quinn: Summers is described as intelligent and level-headed, making her a reliable team member and a love interest for Brody. As a part of the group, Daddario’s chemistry with Efron aids in establishing the emotional foundation of the ensemble.
Kelly Rohrbach as C.J. Parker: Taking the role of C.J. Parker, originally portrayed by Anderson, Rohrbach has the flirtatious yet skilled lifeguard who dates tech-nerd Ronnie.
Ilfenesh Hadera as Stephanie Holden: A senior lifeguard and Mitch’s trusted second-in-command. Hadera balances compassion and discipline in a role that requires strength and confidence, which she has in abundance.
Jon Bass as Ronnie Greenbaum: While described as awkward and out of place, his character is humorous and makes an impressive addition to structure–earning a position on the elite team. His brand of humor is characterized by exaggerated movements and laughter, which often elicits applause from the audience.
Direction and Style
Seth Gordon, who is best known for comedies like Horrible Bosses and The King of Kong, is part of their docuseries team. He brings a touch of polish and flair to Baywatch in a way that is somewhat unbalanced. The film’s attempts at parodic synthesis with genuine action sometimes collapses under the weight of not fully committing to either tone. Set at its strongest moments, Baywatch leans into its own absurdity and showcases a barrage of slow-motion shots, outlandish set pieces, and tongue-in-cheek humor. At its weakest moments, juvenile storytelling and cheap humor take over.
Polished and vibrant, the film’s visuals maintain the overarching aesthetic that Baywatch is known for. The sun-drenched beach snapshots, muscular people, and fast-paced drama captured through the lens of skilled cinematographers are striking. The red swimsuits, a staple of the brand, are worn prominently which stays true to the film’s costume design.
Themes and Tone
Fundamentally, Baywatch is about collaboration, reclamation of one’s self, and accountability. It also explores the notions of heroism by contrasting Mitch’s gravity with Brody’s initial superficiality. The film baywatch often mocks its own legacy, referencing archetypes from the original show, including its absurd premises and the iconic slow-motion shots.
Yet, Baywatch struggles to balance between a sincere homage and a full-blown spoof. The humor is heavily R-rated crude jokes, adult language, and sexual innuendo. This shift away from the family-friendly tone of the original show may have turned off fans from decades ago.
Critical Reception
Critics were met with a lack of praise upon release for Baywatch. Many cited the film’s heavy reliance on vulgar humor paired with a weak plot and inconsistent tones as its downfall. Even with the film’s cast charm and effort, the film faltered in finding the balance between action and comedy in a fresh, cohesive manner.
Despite the negative reception, praise came for the film’s outrageous moments. The exuberant action received new life thanks to the leads and mindless narrative. Johnson and Efron’s chemistry stood out, further complimented by the praises of the self-awareness of the film’s oddities.Unlike the critics, audiences, particularly fans of 21 Jump Street and The Hangover styled raunchy comedies, were more lenient. Regardless, it did not achieve the desired box office results, nor did it spark a franchise like the producers had hoped.
Box Office Performance
With a production budget of about $65 million, Baywatch brought in just over $177 million globally. While this total seems impressive, it indicates transactional value from international markets. However, the film fell short of domestic expectations and undermined plans for sequels. Many territories, especially those with high demand for Dwayne Johnson, sustained the international revenue through their overall contribution.
Legacy and Final Thoughts
Baywatch’s attempts to exploit nostalgia and action-comedy tropes result in a jammed mixture of genres. Slapstick humor, crime-thriller elements, and glossy visuals provide an inconsistent but strikingly novel form of entertainment.
Performances by Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron were commendable. The film maintained a lively pace and was full of stunts as well as laughter. However, it lacked depth due to the shallow focus on the plot and characters. In particular, the underdeveloped script, weak tone consistency, and flat villain characterization could have easily transformed the film into something greater.
Ultimately, Baywatch serves to highlight the challenge of adapting certain TV shows that were cherished in their times, as modern cinematic audiences require a different approach. While the film may not win any critical accolades, it provides ample beachside bluster and buddy-camaraderie to appease fans seeking feel-good summer entertainment.
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