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I think you need to be around 70 years of age to really enjoy this Movie. I am and I did; I really did. I chuckled and laughed throughout the movie and continued to do so long into the evening as I remembered some of the more memorable scenes. This is a gem of a Movie and brings back a touch of the real movies of yesteryear. No Vampires ; no Zombies; no computer designed sets and monsters, no excruciatingly LOUD music and noises; just a simple story well told with real ACTORS. I could have sat through it again as soon as it was over....and I may go again. Some of these "Critics" need to age a bit to really understand the difference that a Movie like this can bring to its audience

Not having gotten around to watching "Stand Up Guys" before now was a mistake on my behalf, especially given the three acting heavyweighters that stars in the movie; Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin.

"Stand Up Guys" is a good comedy that has a nice story to tell. Although this is not the type of comedy that will have you spilling your drinks in your laps from laughing, it is the type of light-hearted comedy that will make you feel good.

The story is about Val (played by Al Pacino) who comes out from prison after 28 years of incarceration. Meeting him at the entrance is his old friend Doc (played by Christopher Walken). Doc has been hired to kill Val and has a time limit until the next morning; and during this time the old friends start up old habits and revisit old friends.

The characters in the movie were nicely fleshed out and nicely detailed. There is a really good chemistry between Pacino and Walken, and this really reflects well on both characters that they play, because there is a very good sense of friendship and intimacy's with one another as they are on the screen.

The movie offers drama, action, comedy and even a high speed chase.

"Stand Up Guys" is a fun and great movie, which offers 95 minutes of great entertainment. If not for the good story, then the movie is well worth watching for the three stars of the movie.

Val (Al Pacino) is released from prison after serving 28 years. His friend Doc (Christopher Walken) has been ordered to kill him before the morning. Conflicted, Doc spends the night with Val partying.

The story is almost unimportant. It certainly has nothing too compelling. Alan Arkin adds his own color and Lucy Punch is kinda fun as a bodied whorehouse madam. However, this is mostly about spending time with Al Pacino and Christopher Walken together. They have great chemistry. Don't expect much from the rest. It's a fun watch for fans of these actors. It's not their best work but it's certainly plenty good.

A pair of aging stickup men try to get the old gang back together for one last hurrah before one of the guys takes his last assignment -- to kill his comrade.

Trying to say if this is a good film is a difficult task. The story is pretty good and the direction strikes me as neither great nor terrible, but quite capable. The film really comes down to actors: Christopher Walken, Al Pacino and Alan Arkin.

And that is what makes this even more difficult -- even the acting hardly deserves special praise, as these are guys who can just show up and enthrall us. Walken especially has a cult following, but both Pacino and Arkin can just be filmed for ninety minutes and entertain.

Now, if I do not look at it critically but just as enjoyment, this is a very good film and entertained me quite well. I would recommend it.

If you've seen the trailer you know most of the plot. Pacino's Val is released from prison after 28 years. He's welcomed by his buddy Doc (Walken) who was part of his criminal team. But Doc has orders from some mean boss named Claphands to kill Val by the next day or else they'll go after Doc's granddaughter. It turns out that in some shootout one of Val's bullets killed one of Claphands' sons.

And at first it's all fun and games. Doc takes Val to see a hooker, to party, do drugs, dance, drink, they steal a car from some bad guys, etc. The good deed of the day comes when they decide to avenge some girl that was held captive in the trunk of the Challenger they stole. But Val knows how his day will end and has resigned himself to his fate. When they run into the daughter of their third teammate, Hirsch, the driver, they decide to free him for from a convalescent hospital for a night of fun.

The question remains, will or won't Doc kill his only friend; how and when. Doc also has a soft spot for a cute young waitress at a diner he visits every day. We also learn more about her.

Stand Up Guys starts out pretty funny. Pacino delivers as always. Walken is a bit stiff and of few words, but then what can he do when his character is put in such a dilemma. Things go downhill when Hirsch is introduced. He's a mean old guy, and they rehash they same situations that we just saw Val go through- visiting the prostitutes, the car with keyless ignition. The Hirsch character really works only for two jokes or so. As with all comedies, this one also has a lot of heart and some tender moments. And you really can't go wrong with Pacino and Walken

Three legends. Three Oscar winners directed by another Oscar winner (Fisher Stevens won as producer for a documentary). United in one movie. That should be enough and one should expect maybe just a decent script and then fine. "Stand Up Guys" promises too much while securing Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin in the front row but delivers less than expected with its usual crime/comedy elements focusing on aging criminals and very few to say. The cast chemistry is good (but Pacino already had movies with the other guys, sharing scene with Arkin in "Glengarry Glen Ross" and with Walken in "Gigli" although they don't share scenes in that thing) and it's probably the only reason why everybody wants to see this movie

But it's terribly generic. Pacino done his sentence and is released from prison. Walken is waiting for him for two reasons: 1) to see his old friend again and 2) to kill him, contracted by another criminal boss (Mark Margolis) who wants to revenge his son's death. Soon they rejoin Arkin and the gang is back on action. Besides the fact that they all have fun together after a long time without seeing each other, what's most important here is their reflections on life and time and enjoy the little moments. It's all very simplistic told - a little let down since we're delighted with great and powerful stars - but it achieves some effect.

The drama takes a long while to be really gripping, and the comedy only gets truly good when Arkin finally appears (despithe top billing with the other guys, he's there for very briefly, showing up after long thirty minutes). He made this something almost remarkable, efficiently funny. I think the actors presence and relative brilliance compensate the script's lack of real premise, lack of more movement and characters and even lack of challenge for everyone involved. Enjoy their company and that's it. That must be enough, sometimes. 6/10

I read some of the reviews here, and I think that some who have reviewed this extremely negatively (as in 1/10) are those who appreciate a movie with lots of explosions, and maybe some guys with their tops off, flexing their muscles to accentuate just how tough they are.

Luckily, there isn't much of that in Stand Up Guys. It's character-driven, centered on the relationship between Val (PAcino) and Doc (Walken), both of whom are spectacular.

There's some great dialogue between the two, and despite what you may read on here, the story is quite solid, if simplistic. I don't think people have fully grasped these characters in some reviews, or the meaning of the title "Stand Up Guys". They're throwbacks, and the situations they encounter represent the direction the world has headed over the years, a world that Doc is forced to be a part of, despite wanting a quieter life.

I won't go on any further, but I found the characters endearing, and the relationship between Val and Doc kept me on the hook.

Nice soundtrack, too.

Cheers

Stand Up Guys is a movie that as soon as you get over the first 35 minutes of grossness and drama + intro, all that is left is a bag full of laughs and eye brow raising scenes, that made me enjoy watching the movie and even wanting more, because the movie ending is left open for you to fill in the blanks.

The movie is composed of two old stars, Al Pacino and Christopher Walken and its original song is done by Jon Bon Jovi. Both actors delivered an expected combination of finesse and chemistry that you can only get when two veteran actors stand side by side. I have for long been a huge fan of Christopher Walken, one reason being I have not come across an actor that can make me laugh even when the scene involves just reading a book. Another reason for loving Walken is just because he can play any role hero or villain, comic or drama and still deliver a performance that will make you smile at how well it was done.

All this said doesn't mean Al Pacino is not as good or in the eyes of others better, but in this movie Walken caught my eye, Pacino's performance is one that makes you accord respect to him. My favorite scene is when Pacino is taken to the emergency room because he popped too many Viagra pills, look out for that scene.

The movie is about Val (Pacino), who just got released from jail after 28 years, all because he refused to rat out his friends Doc (Walken) and Richard Hirsch (Alan Arkin). After his release, Val craved excitement one that he pushed Doc to provide, Doc did his best and that night turned from, just getting Val laid to, breaking into stores, rescuing a rape victim, busting Richard of an old people's home and out running the cops.

Val's release also led to a confession and a funeral.

What Stand Up Guys is composed of is good acting, the cinematography is not exceptional, the screenplay on the other hand is masterful and captivating, the moment Alan Arkin is introduced we get to see some cool driving stunts that was meant to make you wonder what these characters were like in their younger days. Fisher Steven (Crazy Love 2007) was the man on the director sit for this movie.

It is a short movie, just like 90 minutes long, but I tell you it was 90 minutes well spent and I did find the movie funny enough to want to go see it again, so when it is out in the cinemas near you, take out time to go see it. Although this is not a date movie, it is a guy movie.

www.lagsreviews.com

After twenty-eight years in prison, Valentine "Val" (Al Pacino) is released on probation and his old friend Doc (Christopher Walken) waits for him to bring him home in his old car. Doc has been pressed along all of these years by the powerful mobster Claphands (Mark Margolis) to kill Val since he blames Val for the death of his son in a heist.

Val decides to spend the night going to a brothel but he fails and they rob Viagra from a pharmacy. Then they go to a night-club and Val dances with a girl. When they live the place, they steal a sport car that belongs to a dangerous gangster. They go to a nursing home to pick up their old friend Hirch (Alan Arkin) and together they revive the old times of their friendship. They find a naked woman called Sylvia (Vanessa Ferlito) in the trunk and Doc and Val help Sylvia to get even with the gang that kidnapped her. Meanwhile Val feels that Doc is assigned to kill him and his friend confirm that Claphands wants him dead until the next morning. When Claphands threatens Doc's granddaughter, Doc and Val decide to pay a visit the mob boss.

"Stand Up Guys" is an overrated and disappointing movie about aging, friendship and farewell. The plot is not funny and the characters are unpleasant. But the worst is the conclusion, or the lack of conclusion of the story. It is ridiculous how many pretentious directors (usually American directors) do not understand the difference between a movie with open end (usual in European movies – Claude Chabrol was the master) with a movie without an end. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "Amigos Inseparáveis" ("Inseparable Friends")

A stand up guy is defined as someone who refuses to rat out the Family no matter what the pressure, offer, or threat. It is an apt title for this little film that decides at the onset to remain small. It does offer some of our favorite aging actors the opportunity to redefine friendship in a very tender and warm manner. Is it s a great movie? No, not really, but is it worth watching for the joy of seeing Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin join talents – most definitely 'yes.'

Valentino/'Val' (Al Pacino) is an old school, small time, two-bit crook who took the fall for a botched robbery 28 years prior. Being a "Stand up guy", Val did his time and kept his mouth shut, and never revealed any information with regards to the crime; he didn't cop a plea, rat out his friends, and he was tried and sentenced to the full extent of the law. Val's best friend and cohort in crime is Doc (Christopher Walken). While in prison and even now as Val prepares to be reintegrated back into society, Doc has always been there for Val. However, Doc has a heavy burden weighing on his conscious. It seems that during all the gunfire shot amid the botched robbery, Val inadvertently shot and killed the only son of the crime syndicates Boss, Claphands (Mark Margolis). Claphands has waited 28 long years for retribution; and Doc has been ordered to execute the hit on Val, and he only has 24 hours to complete the task or suffer repercussions himself for noncompliance.

In the interim 24 hours we meet the lovely waitress Alex (Addison Timlin) who happens to be Doc's granddaughter, the third member of the old gang Hirsch (Alan Arkin) whom Val and Doc rescue from a rest home to spend the night at a brothel run by Wendy (Lucy Punch), Val's experience with impotence at the brothel that leads him to overdose on Viagra he and Doc steal from a pharmacy and that leads to Val's priapism that requires aspiration in a hospital attended by Nina Hirsch (Julianna Margulies) who is Hirsh's daughter, and a final encounter with the thugs of Claphands and Claphands himself as the 24 hour deadline approaches.

It is all great fun and even more important is the expression of the bond of friendship between Val and Doc, and with Hirsch. Yes the script gets off key at times but this is not meant to be a major gangster film. This is a tale about friendship and loyalty in a crime setting that has just happened to age – not unlike the actors. Grady Harp, May 13

It was all right. Nothing special. I enjoyed seeing Pacino and Walken together, but I wish the script had been more engaging.

It's been a while since I found a movie this fun to watch. Not brilliant, not ingenious and maybe not all that great, not something that will go down in cinema history. Just that: some very fun and entertaining 90 minutes.

Al Pacino plays an old criminal, a 'stand-up guy', who leaves prison after 28 years. Christopher Walken, his friend, is assigned to kill him by a vindictive mob boss; so the two decide to live Pacino's last hours with style like their old days.

The movie is quite a delight to watch. Pacino and Walken are both brilliant actors, and even if not at their best their performance here still shows. Their characters feels real, almost as if they aren't working but really just having fun with each other. Alan Arkin, who joins both for a good part of the movie, also gives quite a flair of talent, even if not as snarky as I prefer from him.

The music, mostly by Bon Jovi, really complements the story and there is plenty of black humor. Something about the political incorrectness of their 'adventure' (which involve a cat house, breaking into a pharmacy, beating up other criminals and 'saving' a friend from a retirement house) helped making me like the film, and make the characters seen very much real.

The chance to see Pacino and Walken (and Arkin to a lesser extent) in a nice, less serious but fun showing of their skills, coupled with the entertaining and almost heart-warming story, makes this film a sure recommendation.

The film has a nice genuine feel about it, great story, great acting and a great soundtrack that compliments the film and characters! I found myself getting sucked in to the characters and as much as I enjoy seeing Walken act and hearing his dialogue, Pacino was great in this film too. He's not an angry mobster but a likable criminal one of his best films I think. Walken doesn't give us the old stories that we are used to but his presence is just perfection.

Do not expect this film to be full of gangster violence and action, this is the other end of the career. Experience and heart goes a long way.

I have to say that if this film was made with a different cast I think it would have been slow and easy to miss, walken and pacino make the film as genuine as they come.

"They say we die twice. Once when the breath leaves our body, and once when the last person we know says our name."--Valentino

The 2012 Fisher Stevens film, Stand Up Guys, has a strong cast. Bringing in $3 million at the box office, it was clearly something of a flop. Unfortunately, Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin might not be the draw they once were. The 95 minute, Rated R mob-like movie was, if anything, consistent. Not great. Not horrible.

Valentino, "Val" to his friends -- Pacino to you and me, is just released from prison after 28 years locked away. "Doc" (Walken) meets him at the gate. Retired made-men, the two head back to Doc's, where a pull-out sofa bed is ready for Val. Having spent his retired days painting sunrises and sunsets, Doc is pretty set in his routine. A little frisky after decades behind bars, Val is hoping to party.

Nightclubs, and whore houses, some robbery and plenty of reminiscing is what unfolds. Doc was able to track down his daughter, but not his granddaughter. The regrets of his life apparent in his face, in his words, and even in his actions. Somewhat bitter, Val, was sent to prison and never talked. Never gave anyone up. Took the punishment all on his own.

Mark Margolis portrays the mob boss character, Claphands. He has not forgotten Val, or part of why Val was in prison. Claphands' only son was murdered by Val. The only fair thing is revenge. The clock is set. At 10:00 AM, Val will be dead. One way or the other.

Enter Alan Arkin as Hirsch. Doc and Val rescue their old time friend from a retirement home. They steal a Mustang, and they paint the town red. That is, until they find a surprise in the trunk of the vehicle. And then participate in serving up some serious justice.

Many scenes, I hate to admit are just over acted by Pacino. However, the story continues to move forward. It is often touching and slightly emotional. It is often humorous and slightly compelling. Overall it is a solid rental, or Netflix kind of film. I did not play with my phone, or scroll statuses on Facebook. It's how I rate a film, people. For these reasons, and the simple respect for the cast, I am giving Stand Up Guys 7 out of 10 stars. Why 7? Because it really was a pretty good film. Not great. But Pretty good. (Lots of bad language, some violence, No Nudity).

Phillip Tomasso Author of the Best Selling Vaccination Trilogy http://www.philliptomasso.com/

I'm a fan of all three male leads, especially, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin (Pacino has always been over-rated and the same character in every film) but this effort fell so flat.

Perhaps, we're supposed to find ourselves sympathetic to these rapidly aging ne'er do wells, but nothing redeeming ever emerges for me.

The point was made by another reviewer, regarding, the rape scenario being treated as no big deal. I have to agree. A rape victim is normally upset and a wreck. How willing would they be to just drive off with three other strange males? Silly.

"Val" says it best, 'F--- it' and don't waste your time.

I'm not one who often writes reviews and I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this Movie. What can I say - Pacino was Spectacular and Walken is - well, he's Walken. As brilliant as he was in The Deer Hunter. The Duo make a stunning and very humorous Duo and certain parts of the Movie will definitely have you in stitches. I'm not going to say anything about the plot but I highly recommend this Movie to any potential Viewers. Filled with Witty Humour and sharp Sarcasm, the Movie tends to get one thinking about different aspects of Life. A Fun Movie - and though a bit slow, I was fixed on the Screen. Pacino and Walken make some of the Newer Actors look like true Amateurs - Watch it - You'll Love it!!