Review of Stand Up Guys (2012) by Sidney S — 19 Oct 2013

Over the top but entertaining simply due to the film's leading cast. Stand Up Guys is a fun throwback to 70's style crime films with the addition of comedy. The film itself could have been much more if it had a better script and wasted less time on "old man" type of jokes at the beginning.

The main reason I viewed this film was simply for Al Pacino, the man is a legend and quite possibly the greatest actor to ever live. At his age he realizes he is no longer the leading man or has the star power he once had but he's fine with that because along with taking dramatic in depth roles he can also make films like this to have fun with. Pacino is an actor that you can give the worst script possible to and he will still turn up with a great performance, he is just a natural. The script was mediocre but Pacino's acting, character and even his comedy made it watchable. Christopher Walken is great in this too and his interactions with Pacino are hilarious and sometimes awkward...Mr. Walken usually is. The film then brings in Alan Arkin another acting legend and the trio just set out to do what the trailers show and what the film was overall meant to do, let these actors have fun, act, and self parody.

The film yes is absolutely ridiculous, but its pure entertainment. From the car chase sequence in the Challenger, to Pacino and Walken being pure badass as if they were in their prime again is dynamite to watch. The film is funny, but this movie you definitely have to go in with zero expectations and put your brain on sleep. These men have put in some of the finest contributions to cinema in their glory days, specifically Pacino, his filmography is just filled with classic movies and performances. This film is nothing special but it is fun to watch these three legends on screen.