Monday, September 22, 2014

"Be Prepared, Son. That's My Motto. Be Prepared."



The above line is from one of my favorite movies. A movie that I find to be one of the true, underrated, classic films of the early 90s.

The Last Boy Scout.
 

When I saw Alex J. Cavanaugh's Underrated Treasures post, this film was the first thing that popped into my mind.

Starring Bruce Willis as his usual, down and out-type character....ex-Secret Service agent (for President Carter...hey, it was the 90s) / do-gooder turned private investigator and Damon Wayans as Jimmy Dix, an ex pro football player who was fired for snorting his paychecks, The Last Boy Scout was one of those quirky films that, sort of, sneaks up on you.

I had never even heard of this movie before seeing it at Blockbuster (yes, I first saw it on VHS...hey, it was the 90s). The advertising budget must have been minimal, even with headliners like Willis and Wayans....who weren't exactly Hollywood lightweights back then. I also don't remember ever seeing any trailers for this at the movies. This is the "ignorant bliss" we enjoyed back in those pre-internet days.

There were quite a few stars in this one, as well. Halle Berry, Billy (Tae Bo!) Blanks, and Bruce MacGill had small parts and Noble Willingham (You'd know him if you saw him) played the 'baddie'.

For my friends and I, this film was one of those "quotable" flicks. One where we'd try to insert a quote into any conversation we could. In my circle of friends, this was one of those 'cult classics'. I'd love to quote you some but, unfortunately, most of them involve some pretty off color language and this is a PG-13 blog ;)

There is one, though, that I can share. Wayan's character screaming at Willis' character as they engage in a car chase.

"Joe if you go any faster, we're going to travel back in time!"

It's your typical action/dramady genre film, but one that impressed me so much because it, sort of, just appeared. Besides my circle of friends, I rarely come across anyone who has even heard of it, much less seen it.

Truly, one of the underrated treasures, in my book.


33 comments:

Nick Wilford said...

I'd heard of it, but didn't know much about it. I think we've all got a film like that, that feels like it's just ours and no one else's!

jaybird said...

The Husband loves this movie too. Then again, just about anything that has Bruce Willis in it, he loves.

Dianne K. Salerni said...

"If you go any faster, we're going to travel back in time!" Heh, heh, heh. This sounds like it would be a fun one to watch.

Dani said...

Oh yes, this is a good one!!

Anonymous said...

I've heard about this movie, but have never seen it. Thanks for sharing your movie pick for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Great movie! So brutal and raw. But the line about the $650 dollar leather pants and did they come with a television set was priceless.
Thanks for participating in my blogfest!

Lisa said...

I HAD to come here first, because I knew you'd have something awesome to share. I have heard of this movie, but haven't seen it. Now I must go find it... Thanks for sharing!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I saw it once on TV so it was probably cleaned up a little. Our family has quotable movies too.

Margo Kelly said...

Oh. Bruce Willis. What would we do without him? ;) I enjoy his movies. And his bald head.

Unknown said...

I was hooked on the squirrel in the car, the gun on the football field, santy claws and can I have a cigarette... so many great things this film has to offer...

Jeremy [HWR:OLM]
Howlin' Wolf Records: On-Line Magazine

S. L. Hennessy said...

I will literally watch anything with Bruce Willis in it. I LOVE him. Great choice.

S. L. Hennessy said...

I will literally watch anything with Bruce Willis in it. I LOVE him. Great choice.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Bruce Willis is one of my favorites. Good choice Mark :)

Chrys Fey said...

Great movie choice!

Cynthia said...

I suppose when you go really fast, you can travel back in time, or you might go into the future. I've never gone that fast, so I wouldn't know.

Thanks for sharing your pick, Mark.

Sarah Foster said...

I don't think I had even heard of this movie. Thanks for sharing!

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Don't know this movie but sounds like one me and my dad can watch together. He is a huge Bruce Willis fan. I'm a fan as well. And the Wayans family just oozes talent.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Bruce was so cool in this film, even though he got shat on for most of it.

S.P. Bowers said...

Never even heard of it. Thanks for educating me.

Mina Burrows said...

I know I saw this and I remember laughing, but I can't remember the story. I hate it when that happens.

Jack said...

I'm surprised I've never heard of this one. Sounds like one my dad would like. I should rent it sometime and watch it with him.

Krista McLaughlin said...

I have never heard of this before, but it sounds really good! :)

Al Diaz said...

Well well well, here is one movie I actually saw! Great choice, Mark.

Robin said...

I like Bruce Willis (a lot, thanks to Moonlighting) but I didn't see this one, either. :(

Loni Townsend said...

I remember that movie, though I was just a kid when I watched it. I think I liked it though...

Morgan said...

Nailed it! I totally haven't heard of this! Looks fun though, Mark. Nice. :)

Shell Flower said...

This sounds hilarious. I love a quotable movie!

Nicki Elson said...

Hey, I've heard of this one...I think. It's kind of fun for you and your cirlce to have it as your own inside joke sort of thing.

Maurice Mitchell said...

I've only seen bits of it but I'll have to give it another try. Halle Berry?

Stephanie Bird said...

Got to love Bruce Willis. He's from very close to my hometown so I'm always pulling for him. Must check out this movie, maybe on NetFlix. Thanks for sharing because I had no idea of its existence, like many other treasures I've found through participating in this blog hop.

LD Masterson said...

Totally agree. Very good movie.

J Lenni Dorner said...

Practically Die Hard in all but the title.
Excellent choice.

Joey McRib said...

YESSSSS!!! You have excellent taste, my friend. This was one of the first 10 DVDs I ever owned! I think my favorite part was "I seem to have dropped my cigarette, May I have another? And touch me again, I'll kill you."

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