The Last Boy Scout

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And then some.

"This is the '90s. You don't just go around punching people. You have to say something cool first."

Joe Hallenbeck

The Last Boy Scout is a 1991 action film starring Bruce Willis as former Secret Service agent Joe Hallenback, now working as a private detective, and Damon Wayans as retired professional football player Jimmy Dix. The two join forces to solve the murder of Dix’s girlfriend Cory (played by the then-obscure Halle Berry), leading them into a conspiracy and the plotted assassination of a senator. The entire film consists of often violent action scenes and an endless parade of one-liners. Classic example of better than it sounds.


Tropes used in The Last Boy Scout include:

Joe: You're the bad guy.
Milo: I am the bad guy.

Milo: Just once, I would like to hear you scream in pain.
Joe Hallenbeck: Play some rap music.

  • Crapsack World: Taken almost to parodic heights.
    • "Nobody likes you. Everybody hates you. You're gonna lose."
  • Deadpan Snarker: Hallenbeck always win the snarking contest against other characters. See below.
  • Driven to Suicide: Billy Cole, after shooting several opposing players.

Ain’t life a bitch?

  • The Dragon: Milo.
  • Drugs Are Bad: Manages to do this in a reasonably subtle way, contrasting Joe's zero tolerance with justifying Jimmy's addiction through his tragic backstory.
  • Embarrassing Middle Name
  • Eureka Moment: Overlaps with Oh Crap with Joe, as Jimmy hints that the supposed key he tossed into Marcone's fireplace is "the kind that Shred."
  • Faux Affably Evil: Marcone and Milo. Both lose their niceness VERY quickly.
  • Friend to All Children: Despite his drug problems and short temper, Jimmy is remarkably good with kids, if Darian is any indication because they quickly bond with each other after a little friction.
  • Gorn: Brutal moments punctuated by humor. There is a scene where Bruce Willis punches Chet’s NOSE through HIS BRAIN!!!! Also the infamous helicopter scene.
  • Helicopter Blender: Milo, after being shot by a SWAT team, falls into the blades of a helicopter. The result is the upper half of his body turning into Ludicrous Gibs.
  • If We Survive This

Joe Hallenbeck: "I swear to Christ that if I survive this fucking case I'm gonna dance a jig." He does.

"Told ya."

Jimmy: What would Joe do...(Beat) He'd kill everyone, and then smoke some cigarettes.