The original: 

The Last Boy Scout (1991) 

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Directed by: 

Tony Scott (Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop 2, True Romance, Crimson Tide) 

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Starring: 

Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans, Taylor Negron, Noble Willingham, Chelsea Fields, Danielle Harris, Bruce McGill, Halle Berry, Kim Coates, Chelcie Ross, Joe Santos; and Bill Medley 

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A hardboiled mystery-action-comedy-bromance, directed to an inch of its life and performed absolutely pitch-perfectly, The Last Boy Scout is a rollercoaster. 

 

Joe Hallenbeck (Willis) is a washed-up, burnt-out private detective. Down on his luck, with a daughter who hates him, a wife who’s cheating on him, and a friend who wants him dead. 

Jimmy Cole (Wayans) is a disgraced ex-football star with a problem with gambling, an issue with drugs and terrible self-esteem. 

Together they must team up to solve a murder, stop a monster and smoke a lot of cigarettes. 

 

With a script by the incomparable Shane Black, brought to life with peerless direction by Scott, this is one of the best buddy-buddy movies of all time. 

Slick, violent and insanely witty, with dynamite chemistry between the leads, it moves like a rocket, hits like a mallet and resounds like a prophet. Deep, dark, spikey and joyous, this is a film that celebrates friendship, cherishes honesty, and hits so hard it’ll puncture your brain. 

 

In wise-cracking action mode, this may be Willis’ crowning achievement. Wayans more than holds his own as a guy with a mouth as fast as his throwing arm, proving a wonderful match for his world-weary new-found partner. 

 

On top of all this are outstandingly memorable villains, played to perfection, and a style so slick you could put in a glass and drink it with a straw. 

 

The Last Boy Scout is often ignored when Best Action Film lists are compiled, and it is not perfect, but it might just be the most fun it’s possible to have while watching people get hit, shot, and punched to death in the face. 

 

With heroes and villains both equally likeable and deplorable, it is funnier than most comedies and more honest than most dramas. 

 

Friday Night’s a great night for action. And this one hits hard, talks tough and plays to win. 

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Thug- “Wrong place, wrong time. Nothing personal.” 

Joe- "That's what you think. Last night I fucked your wife.” 

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Jimmy- “Joe, if you drive any faster we’re going to go back in time.” 

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Joe- “Where’re you going?” 

Jimmy- “To the bathroom. Wanna come? Doc said I shouldn’t lift anything heavy.” 

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Jimmy- “I figure you gotta be the dumbest guy in the world, Joe. You're trying the save the life of the man who ruined your career, and avenge the death of the guy that fucked your wife.” 

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Marcone- “Put these assholes out of my misery.” 

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Joe- “I’m not saying she’s fat, but her High School picture was an arial photograph.” 

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Articulate Goon- “Jake attacks his job with a certain exuberance.” 

Jimmy- “Shit, we're being beat up by the inventor of Scrabble.” 

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Joe (to self)- “Nobody likes you. Everybody hates you. You're gonna lose. Smile, you fuck.”