The Last Boy Scout

You know, for a dancer, he is one hell of a detective. Written by Shane Black and directed by Tony Scott, it's not the biggest surprise in the world to find that "The Last Boy Scout" is full of high octane action and serious one liners. Plot has Bruce Willis as a private detective whose protected female witness (Halle Berry) is murdered, prompting him and the victim's boyfriend - a disgraced gridiron star (Damon Wayans) - to investigate the crime together and all roads lead to the higher echelons of American Football. There's shades of "Die Hard" here, but really it's unfair to simply put it in the cash in on an action classic genre. Anyone who knows Shane Black's career will know that plot is secondary to action and dialogue, more so when Tony Scott is on directing duties. This may actually be Black's most under appreciated literary work (though it was a box office hit), his buddy buddy formula, that was so brilliantly realised with "Lethal Weapon", really shines here - making it Wayans' best work and Willis' most laconic. It's all a bit blokey, meaning that unless the girls watching are in it for the stars alone, they are sure to be disappointed by the machismo washing over the female characters of the piece. But this is electrifying stuff, both visually and orally. It's fun and thrilling, so strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. 8/10