Film School Rejects presents Celebrating the Films of Tony Scott. Here are my three favorites and thoughts on each following FSR’s comments.
6. The Last Boy Scout (1991)
The second film in Scott’s unofficial “sloppy quadrilogy” (along with Beverly Hills Cop 2, The Fan, and Domino) is the best of the bunch for various reasons, but first out of the gate is the script by Shane Black. He’s riffing on his own Lethal Weapon, but while Richard Donner’s film wants to be liked, Black’s in a far more aggressive and mean-spirited mood here. Scott’s direction meets him beat for beat delivering memorable action set-pieces and a pair of charismatic leads (Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans) against an ugly story populated by uglier supporting characters. It’s a terrifically scuzzy affair delivered without the exaggerated stylistic flourishes that mar those previously mentioned titles, and it entertains like gritty gangbusters. – Rob
Craig’s Thoughts: I was a huge fan of Shane Black (coming of Lethal Weapon and Predator) and Bruce Willis was the perfect choice to star. I loved the combination of action and humor and remember liking The Last Boy Scout more than most folks. The scene with the killer in the alley is priceless.
8. Revenge (1990)
My Kevin Costner love is well-documented and most certainly plays a role in my appreciation for this darkly somber character drama, but luckily I’m also a sucker for doomed love stories. It’s a far more sedately paced film than you’ll find across much of Scott’s filmography, and while time is given to the ridiculously steamy affair between Costner and Madeleine Stowe, even more is afforded to his desperate search for her after they’ve been violently separated. It’s not a pleasant movie for anyone involved, but its grip on human nature is undeniable as a man’s best and worst intentions and abilities lead to tragic consequences. Scott released a director’s cut of the film years later that actually runs 23 minutes shorter, and as with Mel Gibson’s Payback there’s value in both distinctly different versions. – Rob
Craig’s Thoughts: I ended up liking Revenge a whole lot more than I thought I would. And again, a lot more than the critics. I’ve never seen the shorter director’s cut. I may have to search that out.
3. Man on Fire (2004)
Based on A. J. Quinnell’s novel of the same name, this was a passion project for Scott that he wanted to make since the 1980’s with Marlon Brando as his lead. The original plan was adapt the novel as his second feature and set it in Italy as the country was rife for kidnappings at the time. But the director’s lack of experience saw the project escape him only to be adapted by Élie Chouraqui in 1987. Fortunately, though, he got to realize his dream eventually and the long wait paid off, because Man on Fire is a goddamn masterpiece. Denzel’s characters have rarely been this emotionally-charged or vicious as he plays a washed-up former mercenary who’s hellbent on revenge when the young girl he’s tasked with protecting gets kidnapped by some scumbags. This desire for both vengeance and redemption reignites his spark — and things get bloody. The brutality is ample and our sick demand for violent thrills is more than satiated, but the movie is also peppered with some touching and moving moments which make it so much more than your average body count action flick. – Kieran
Craig’s Thoughts: My favorite Tony Scott movie. Can you imagine Brando in the role? Maybe at his peak, but Brando in the 80’s? Yikes!
One other thought – It was difficult not to include True Romance. I love that movie and on a different day it may have edged out The Last Boy Scout.
