2017 Flop Baywatch is a Streaming Success on Netflix

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As a movie enthusiast with decades of cinematic adventures under my belt, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about giving “Baywatch” another chance on Netflix. The 2017 version was met with a frosty reception upon its release, and I remember being rather disappointed myself. However, the film’s recent resurgence has piqued my curiosity.

2017’s movie “Baywatch” has experienced an unexpected resurgence on streaming platforms, swiftly rising up their charts, even though it flopped during its initial cinema release. Directed by Seth Gordon, this action comedy film is inspired by the ’90s TV series of the same name, but beyond sharing the themes of lifeguards and reusing some familiar character names, the likenesses between them are scarce. It’s possible that this disparity could explain why it was universally criticized upon its premiere and failed to leave a mark on the box office.

In a modern take on the ’90s television series, Baywatch features Dwayne Johnson donning Mitch Buchannon’s iconic swim trunks alongside Zac Efron. Aiming to capitalize on the celebrity of its leading actors, the movie appears to have overlooked the essential elements, essentially failing to deliver a true Baywatch experience. The film’s narrative follows lifeguards as they infiltrate and combat a wave of dangerous criminal activities orchestrated by a cold-hearted businesswoman whose schemes endanger their lives and the tranquil beach lifestyle they cherish, which includes sun, sand, and rescuing people who ventured too far into waters that could ruin their carefully coiffed hair.

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that the big screen adaptation of Baywatch didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It garnered a rather disappointing 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics pointing out its immature humor and failure to capture the essence that made the TV series so beloved. Instead, it seemed to boil down to “The Rock strutting around in shorts on a beach.

Baywatch is Now Streaming on Netflix – and a New Series is on the Way

Viewers’ responses towards “Baywatch” were more lenient than those of critics, as evidenced by its 52% Popcornmeter score. This could be the reason why the movie has experienced a resurgence in popularity on Netflix. Some see it as a guilty indulgence or merely an escape, but Johnson and Efron’s film has been bouncing around in the lower echelons of the global top 10 for several days now. It’s evident that there remains an audience who appreciates the movie’s over-the-top action scenes and the humor that critics found distasteful.

The reemergence of Baywatch on Netflix occurs only a few months following Fox’s announcement about reviving the show once more. Few details have been disclosed regarding how the new series will differ from its ’90s counterpart, yet the concept of Baywatch making a comeback raises several concerns. Many elements of the original show appear outdated – such as the frequent, prolonged slow-motion shots of a well-endowed woman in a skimpy swimsuit being part of a star’s contract – but historical precedents suggest that these issues may not deter the exploitation of an IP, and it’s possible they won’t this time either.

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2024-11-10 04:33