Simply Perfect

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

We see two ex-criminals coming to terms with the past after one of them has been released from prison, leading to a final stand against another criminal. The two male main characters are somewhat one-dimensional and only bearable because they are enacted by experienced and charismatic actors. All other characters are as complex as the teletubbies- lots of beautiful women, but don't mind their names, they are just decoration for Pacino and Walken- not to mention the most ridiculous plot twists: A woman, after having been violated by a horde of criminals and kept in the trunk of a car, enjoys a happy breakfast among our friendly criminals before getting back on the perps-- in perfect style, of course. The young female owner of a brothel is talked into sex with a senior who dies the same night from senile decay, and has of course the time of her live. Another women just learns that her father is dead and agrees smiling to an unofficial and spontaneous funeral. Walken's grandchild needs exactly 30 minutes to relate to her granddaddy and build the deepest possible relationship. The list goes own, you get the idea. This flick is just a waste of time.

If 'redundant' could be a Netflix category, Stand Up Guys would be its headliner. It's one of those despicably lazy, fill-in-the-blanks 'criminals with heart' capers that caters to the lowest common denominator so aggressively that you can't help but loathe it. Imagine any given cliché that could populate this tale of Pacino and Walken's aging hit men out for one last night on the town, and I guarantee it's there: hackneyed Viagra gags, inability to understand modern technology, leery sexual pursuits, reminiscing for 'the good ol' days', estranged family members, and, of course, a muted final blowout with the ludicrously named uber-mobster Claphands to show all the whippersnappers who's still got it. Yawn.It's billed as a three-man show, but ol' buddy getaway driver Alan Arkin is tragically only in the film for a superfluous 20-minute cameo, and may as well have been replaced by a cardboard cutout. Instead of any quality character interactions, director Fisher Stevens slots in as many dusty old-man jokes as possible (both Pacino and Arkin are dumbfounded by the keyless ignition of the car they're stealing – yes, the film recycles the same non-gag twice), as well as countless exchanges where young, attractive women fawn over the aging leads to such an extent it's not even pervy, it's just kind of pathetic. The worst of the bunch is a lusty club scene with Pacino, who's functionally a human cigarette these days, who has his creepy come-ons be reciprocated by a tender slow dance with a 20-something. Y'know – in case watching him walk around with an Anchorman caliber comedy-boner hadn't already put you off your lunch. Gross.Normally, the prospect of two of the greatest actors of their generation having a night of debauchery would conjure unquenchable sparks of fun, even when slumming it like this. Instead, both Pacino and Walken look so drowsy and vaguely embarrassed throughout that watching them trudge through cliché after cliché is just unpleasant. They do share a relaxed, affable chemistry which offers glimmers of promise at times, and both are allowed moments of contemplation where they credibly nail the beaten down slump of men living with the weight of lifetime of regrets (the foremost such regret likely being signing on to this film). Walken is more committed to his character's somber backstory, but the film's asinine script doesn't befit the subtlety he's infused Doc with, largely sidelining him to silently observing Pacino's tired blustering, or the rampantly flat or frilly overacting of Lucy Punch's sardonic brothel owner, and Mark Margolis' drab gangster (snicker snicker) Claphands.If nothing else, the film industry should have learned better than to keep making the vocally firearm-phobic Walken brandish guns. Especially in his older age, he looks like he'd rather drop them like a dirty diaper than shoot anyone with them. He may look badass in the final shootout, but it's kind of adorable how unconvincingly violent he is. But let's face it: any movie that makes me watch Al Pacino dance while Walken lurks uncomfortably at the sidelines has sealed its fate as flat-out unforgivable.Any hopes or potential for the two titanic headliners to do more than simply occupy space is repeatedly squandered in this tone-deaf, labored waste of everyone's time. It might've been a tiny bit fun if Arkin had hung around longer, or Walken and Pacino had played against type and traded roles, allowing Walken the campy, cocky bluster and Pacino the reserved regret, but god forbid this film exert any effort. Honestly, the most impressive feat Stand Up Guys accomplishes is tasking Walken and Pacino with saying the name 'Claphands' with a straight face. Embarrassing.-2.5/10

Great movie, great story, great actors. Originally saw it as an option to view in past but always passed. So one night after dinner when I had time to relax I figured now is a good time as any. From the beginning I was laughing. The plot seemed simple and was well acted. At times it seemed serious but flowed smoothly. All three main actors had chemistry, especially Pacino and Walken. It actually felt like they were two life long friends. I really enjoyed it and would watch it again with a someone like a girlfriend who hasn't seen it. Deserves higher ratings then shown. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to kick their feet up and relax with a couple of laughs.

Walken and Pacino are the main, and almost the only reason to watch this film. The ideal film for the older generation, I mean really old. Predictable, but interesting plot with small background story. Borrowed quote from cult movies, but it fits perfectly, not too much action as we used to, especially from Pachino, but enough.Neither comedy nor action, but it is more than watchable. Enough interesting/wired side characters which make the plot interesting. In the final scenes of the film Pachino and Walken showed flashes of their old glory. Let's summarize, If you like Walken or Pacino, you will like the movie, if not, skip it.