Baywatch (4/5 Stars)

The best and longest running joke in “Baywatch” takes place over lifeguard lunch wherein the cocky new guy, Matt Brody, played by Zac Efron, is being quizzed on what it takes to be part of the Baywatch family (yes, it’s called a family by the head guy Mitch Buchanon, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson). Matt Brody apparently thinks that being a lifeguard stays at saving beach goers from drowning. The lifeguard lists off several scenarios they encountered just the last week: a hoard of jellyfish, sand-grifters, and various criminal conspiracies. “The situations you are describing sound like scenes from an entertaining though far-fetched TV show,” remarks Brody before insisting once again that the lifeguards should probably just call the police in these situations.

What makes this joke work so well is the deadpan absolute seriousness that Dwayne Johnson brings to his character’s mission to “Protect the Bay.” This man really believes that these sorts of things, including the main plot of trying to bring down a drug kingpin, is his responsibility. It is absurd but Dwayne Johnson makes it work to the point of hilarity. This performance reminded me of the performances of the late great Leslie Nielson in the “Naked Gun” and “Airplane” franchises. The movie is crazy but “The Rock” anchors it by playing the part so straight.

The feel and tone of this movie comes from the “21 Jump Street” mold. The original TV series was, on the surface at least, a drama that took itself seriously. “Baywatch” as much as it deals in the superficial pleasures of the show (hot woman in swimsuits running in slow motion) makes fun of the TV show as well. A good gag is when Mitch Buchanan pulls out his keys to the lifeguard shack. On the key ring is a “Good Luck!!!” message from the previous “Mitch Buchanan” played by David Hasselhoff. Apparently this particular bay has been run by two separate Mitch Buchanan for the past forty years.

Some gags work better than others. I could have done without the morgue scene, but overall, like “21 Jump Street” the relationships and jokes make sense and it is fun watching these characters interact with each and go undercover in various costumes at the smallest provocation.

In one area, this movie does much better than others. There is a subplot involving a chubby nerd played by Ronnie Greenbaum who has a crush on C.J. Parker, played by Kelly Rohrback in the orginal Pamela Anderson role. Normally I don’t find the nerd chases hot girl story lines all that interesting. I never feel like the nerd really earns the hot girl. In this movie, I feel like Ronnie Greenbaum earns the hot girl, probably in the scene where he creates a diversion at a party by putting on a show-stopping dance number.

I liked this movie. The director, Seth Gordon, previously made one of my favorite documentaries named the “The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters,” which can rightly be said to be the best documentary about people obsessed with the old “Donkey Kong” stand-up arcade game. I only mention it to recommend it. It’s good.