Ridiculously beautifully people running around in swimsuits dramatically saving drowning victims. And solving crimes; even though they’re lifeguards. But the movie knows they’re lifeguards, who shouldn’t be solving crimes; so it winks at us, and we wink back.
It’s all tongue-in-cheek, and self-aware, so the cliches play as amusing and sometimes even funny rather than tired. This will not win any Oscars. But this is one of those air conditioning movies. It’s hot outside, so eat some popcorn, enjoy the AC, and watch beautiful people do stupid stuff, sometimes in slow motion.
But remember, the bay is not so deep. Thinking during this film is neither required nor recommended.
ADDENDUM:
The characters in BAYWATCH know to hold their phones horizontally when shooting video, as the gods of cinematography require. That goes a long way with me.
