Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.

Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

jonathanmark-77048 Plot: An American journalism student in London scoops a big story, and begins an affair with an aristocrat as the incident unfurls.This is easily Woody Allen's worst film. The story is beyond contrived, full of plot holes, and is very jumbled. Every actor is wasted whether it's Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, or Ian McShane are all given nothing roles with bland and uninteresting characters that don't showcase the range that each actor has. Woody Allen himself is not funny in the least bit, I'll never understand why people think that he's a good actor but that's just me. As a mystery, it is not remotely interesting unlike Manhattan Murder Mystery which did have an interesting murder mystery plot that you could follow.This film is lazy, uninspired garbage that you should stay away from at all costs. Go watch Allen's two other mystery films Crimes and Misdemeanors and the one mentioned above, they are easily his 2 best films that put an emphasis on this genre and blends comedy and drama very well. Go rent those instead, you will not regret it.

bowmanblue 'Scoop' is a Woody Allen film set in London. Despite this, most of its lead actors are not British. But that's by the way. The fact is that it's supposed to be a comedy. Only it's not really that funny. Sure, there are a few lines here and there (largely delivered by Woody Allen himself) which may raise a smile, but overall it's hardly a 'laugh out loud' affair.Scarlett Johansson plays a student journalist in London who, while on stage during one of (magician) Woody Allen's tricks, happens to be contacted by a ghost (Ian McShane) who tells her who a serial killer really is. She, in turn, decides to enlist Woody's help and track down the alleged culprit. Only the man in question is Hugh Jackson and she falls in love with him. So you're left with a kind of mish-mash of genres, encompassing supernatural, murder/mystery and romantic comedy. Sadly, it never really focuses on one area enough.Scarlett and Woody are likable enough leads, but they breeze through the story (which is about a serial killer murdering women and leaving tarot cards at the scene of the crime) like they're going on a picnic. It's actually quite a dark affair, but you never really feel it, even in the climax at the end.I read online that Woody Allen picked Scarlett Johansson because he thought she had untapped comedic value. She may well have, but she doesn't really get much of a chance to shine here. Woody takes all the best lines for himself, leaving little else for her to do apart from fall in love and act a bit kooky.Overall, 'Scoop' isn't a bad film, it's just not focused enough to be that memorable.Bonus point (for men!) – Scarlett in a swimsuit (still doesn't really save the entire movie though).

runamokprods Another Allen film that was generally dismissed by critics, but for me was worth seeing. Certainly it's hard to argue that this is up there with Allen's best work, but it still has a lot of funny bits, and Allen and Scarlett Johansson have a great on-screen rapport as a young aspiring journalist and a slightly pathetic aging magician who team up to try and solve a murder case.The two Americans have to fake their way into the snooty upper-class world of London, to chase the young aristocrat who a ghostly Ian McShane (a great reporter who died, but got a tip crossing the river Styx, and came back to tell someone) has informed them committed a series of murders. Allen is very funny in these scenes as he tries to blend in with the lords and ladies, and Hugh Jackman does an excellent job as the suave, likable 'is he or isn't he' object of their investigations, who, naturally Johannson falls for. There are weaknesses; some logic problems with the mystery, and a pay-off that's less than one might hope. But this does a nice job of capturing some of the feel of a witty 1930s comedy. While no masterpiece, if almost anyone else had made this film, it might well have gotten praise as an enjoyable, well made romantic comedy thriller. It just doesn't quite stand up when compared to the heights Allen is capable of.

TheLittleSongbird Admittedly on first viewing I didn't care for Scoop, finding it weirdly plotted and not very funny. Seeing it again as part of a Woody Allen film marathon and being much more used to his style(that I wasn't at the time on first viewing must have a lot to do with not caring for it in the first place), Scoop was far better than initially remembered. It is a long way from Allen's best films, see Annie Hall, Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemeanours, Hannah and her Sisters and Husbands and Wives to see him at his best, but it is better than Cassandra's Dream and To Rome with Love. Scoop is not without imperfections, the story is very far-fetched at times with some convolutions and scenes that don't add to very much, Hugh Jackman is very underused and Scarlett Johansson looks uncomfortable, she's much better in Match Point. Scoop is photographed with style and atmosphere and there is great use of locations. The classical music score is a good fit and will be a delight for any classical music fan, while Allen's directing is as adroit as ever. Allen's writing has been much more insightful and thought-provoking, but the script is still very clever and funny(and in distinctive Woody Allen style), Allen and Ian McShane have the best lines, and while the story is not completely successful the blend of comedy and mystery has enough moments where it works(it has been done far better before though, notably Crimes and Misdemeanours). Allen is hilarious and witty- knowing exactly how to say and time his lines- though with a character that had a danger of falling into the trap of mugging. Ian McShane is wonderfully mysterious and says his lines, and as said before he has the best of them alongside Allen, in a sardonically sly fashion, you just wish he had more screen time. And while Hugh Jackman is underused when you do see him he is dashing and charismatic. All in all, it is easy to see why people won't like Scoop, initially I didn't but on re-watch while problematic it was much better than expected considering the rep it has among a fair few people that consider it as one of Allen's worst. 7/10 Bethany Cox