The Last Boy Scout

1991
R
1h 45m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

115K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:17

Buddy Cop Action Comedy Crime Thriller

A private detective's protected female witness is murdered, prompting him and the victim's boyfriend to investigate the crime that leads to a corrupt politician and a crooked football team o... Read allA private detective's protected female witness is murdered, prompting him and the victim's boyfriend to investigate the crime that leads to a corrupt politician and a crooked football team owner.A private detective's protected female witness is murdered, prompting him and the victim's boyfriend to investigate the crime that leads to a corrupt politician and a crooked football team owner.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

115K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,876

181

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations total

Trivia
Final collaboration between producer Joel Silver and actor Bruce Willis. The making of this film, as well as Die Hard 2 (1990) and Hudson Hawk (1991), took a toll on their professional relationship. Coupled with Silver's ousting from Fox due to production delays and budget overruns on Die Hard 2, Silver was no longer involved in further Die Hard films.

Goofs
The C4 that Joe hides in the trunk cannot be detonated by a gunshot. However it is possible that the bullet struck the detonator which depending on the model could be set off by the impact of the bullet.

Quotes
Alley Thug: Wrong place, wrong time. Nothing personal.
Joe Hallenbeck: That's what you think. Last night I fucked your wife.
Alley Thug: Oh you did, hah? How'd you know it was my wife?
Joe Hallenbeck: She said her husband was a big pimp lookin' motherfucker with a hat.
Alley Thug: Oh, you're real cool for somebody who's about to take a bullet.
Joe Hallenbeck: After fucking your wife I'll take two.

Alternate versions
Video retail version in Germany is cut by about 8 minutes in order to qualify for a FSK-16 rating; rental-version is rated FSK-18 rating and is uncut (105 mins).

Connections
Edited into Last Action Hero (1993)

Soundtracks
Friday Night's A Great Night For Football
Written by Steve Dorff and John Bettis
Produced by Steve Dorff
Performed by Bill Medley
Courtesy of Curb Records

User reviews217

Review

Featured review

7/10

Should have been a franchise

Back in 1991 there was still only one way that studios could sell Bruce Willis and that was as various incarnations of his Die Hard hero. Even Eddie (Hudson) Hawkins had similarities to John McClane. Joe Hallenback is a sort of mix between McClane and Snake Plissken. Watching him mumble and grunt thru various near-deaths and close shaves makes for much fun.

Hallenback is a P.I. and scrounges for work wherever he can find it. So he takes up a job protecting a stripper named Cory and soon finds himself in a lot of trouble. Bad guys are trying to get him left right and centre and his bratty 13-year-old daughter tagging along doesn't help much. The bad guys are truly evil and Hallenback seems more like an anti-hero. This adds to the rough nature of the movie and heightens the sense of adventure.

Tony Scott's style of direction is best suited to this type of action flick. The flashy, exotic editing and cinematographic techniques lend a lot to the witty script and compliment the seedy or pretty locations. Shane Black has also written dozens of one-liners and riddled the script with funny dialogue and exciting situations. It's no surprise that this was once the most expensive script ever sold in Hollywood.

Some people say that this film is too violent and misogynist but I honestly cannot understand what they are talking about. I guess it was just a little out of the norm back in 1991. But still the tone of the film is so light and enjoyable you begin to wonder how this never made up for it. Check it out for yourself and I am sure that you will enjoy.

Love that opening song, man. 7/10