Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

That was an excellent one.

So much average

A different way of telling a story

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

(Originally reviewed: 23/02/2017) This slick, multi-themed powerhouse, directed by Shane Black is perhaps the most entertaining film I've seen in a while. The picture star's Robert Downey as small time actor Harry Lockhart who one day goes to a Hollywood house party and meet's a detective played by Val Kilmer (Gay Perry) whilst there, the two become buddies, later on they witness a murder and have to find out what's really going on and during this, a thirty four year old actress (Harmony Faith) played by Michelle Monaghan involves herself in the investigation and from then on there's all sorts going on with the plot, which is best left unspoiled, as it's one that should be figured out by the person watching, However I probably couldn't tell you the plot stays fully sustainable all the way through but it's a film so fast paced and engaging, it's hard to mind, and that was my reaction here, I'm thinking the picture requires multiple viewings to fully understand the plot, but for now it's still a very good piece of cinema with some nice original writing from Shane Black, who injects a ton of laugh out loud humour here.The film has some wonderful performances; Robert Downey Jr is absolutely brilliant, Val Kilmer is very good and Michelle Monaghan, is both beautiful and excellent here as well, along with a solid supporting cast who are slightly less memorable by name, but very good nonetheless. The humour is very fresh, and most funny, including a sexy Monaghan telling Downey Jr that he can sleep the other side of the bed, but nothing will happen, and play's games with him, she's naked and you get the picture.Brisk dialogue features too, with a laugh out loud sequence where Kilmer's character says "You know what you'll find when you look up the definition of the word idiot", in which Downey Jr replies "A picture of me"? "No the definition of the word idiot which you F**king are" says Kilmer. There's plenty of memorable one liners, some great, realistic action too and some stunningly well shot club scenes involving hot women. Shane Black's Direction is first rate, the writing is refreshingly original and energised and like I mentioned earlier the pace is perfect. Overall Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a great comedy that ignores formula and delivers something worth remembering with smart wit, stunning performances and a clever narrative that may need many viewings to be fully appreciated; it's brilliant.

With his directorial debut, Shane Black presents a style full of self-awareness, subverting some clichés of the noir genre while playing others straight, all of this carried by a fantastic performance by Robert Downey Jr as main character Harry Lockhart.It's hard to label Kiss Kiss Bang Bang a buddy cop movie, not with so much more focus on one perceived "buddy" over the other, and neither of them are cops either. Harry Lockhart is our main character and narrator, a criminal turned good at first winning you over with charm, but keeping your attention and care with great development. This movie is often referred to as Robert Downey Jr's big comeback, and the performance he gives lives up to that notion. Val Kilmer as Perry and Michelle Monoghan as Harmony also give good performances, but the range Downey gives from smarmy and casual to emotional and serious is stunning, one of the best parts of the movie.However, that particular range can be said for the movie as a whole; it always feels like these are actual people talking and interacting with one another, not people on a screen. This is thanks to Black's outstanding screenplay, with dialogue rivaling Tarantino's level of novelty and realism. There are some writing traits that can grate with repetition (one guy has a sarcastic response to a somewhat legitimate question, followed by "of course it is."), but the writing never loses it's charm from it.The story is a basic mystery deal, but with plenty of subversion and the tongue-in-cheek style to keep things interesting. Lockhart literally tells the story to the audience, pointing out certain clichés and devices with full self-awareness. Plenty of other clichés fall apart on their own to hilarious effect, but some are strangely played straight with no mention or reconstruction. They don't hurt the movie greatly, but they're noticeable enough to feel out of place.Overall, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is bolstered by a slick script and a standout performance, full of excitement that doesn't feel said and done. Shane Black made his name with this movie, and it's one worth remembering.

Looks like I got another fantastic Christmas movie to add to my annual holiday viewings. Just too bad I saw it a month (or a decade) late.Funny about this movie, for me anyways: this is my third and final attempt to watch it a first time. Years ago, I started and stopped 20 minutes in. I wasn't a fan of Val Kilmer and it was before I really started to appreciate Robert Downey Jr. So, unbelievably, I was put off by this movie and never thought I would pick up this "novel" of a film again. That is, until a friend recommended it to me and I've been hearing others mention it with positive words.Ah, but there's two more attempts. Last night, I watched about 90% of it before passing out – one should never watch this under the influence. Case in point: I got so lost, thought it was too crazy and, well, I didn't have much choice but to sleep with only 10% remaining. Today: instead of picking back up at the climax, I rewound (if us old-timers can still call it that) it and began at the beginning for the third time.That really helped. Well, that and the lack of booze. I already really liked the dialogue – finding myself laughing out loud and marveling at Downey Jr.'s awesome wit/timing – but, now I could follow the mystery from all the clues I might have even missed sober.What an incredible little gem. It is a travesty that this movie BARELY made its money back and that would have to include its worldwide box- office receipts. Maybe it was too confusing for some – like my second, albeit further along, attempt. I dunno. This movie is amazing.Downey Jr.'s smalltime crook Harry inadvertently gets thrown into an L.A. story of intrigue where he reunites with an old flame (or dame? well, since this is basically film noir) and teams with his obviously first gay human being he's ever met, appropriately, a private dick, to solve multiple murders and survive themselves.What sounds like the typical mystery, and believe me, if they stopped there, it'd still be great, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang really delivered on the humor, fantastic witticisms and chemistry between the leads. Like I previously mentioned, I didn't used to be a Kilmer fan, but seeing him in the MacGruber movie a couple of years back, I started to rethink my opinion of him. And he was pretty good himself. Downey Jr., of course and as usual, stole every scene. Not complaining, I loved them both here.The surprise for me was the always lovely, drop-dead gorgeous and talented Michelle Monaghan. I first discovered her in Mission: Impossible III and loved her. Not into girls, but dang she is hot. Then, I was happy she was in the incredible Source Code, which was already a great movie, and she only helped propel it. I wish I'd see more of her and because I like her so much, she is forgiven for Pixels. Only her – the rest of that crap cast's obviously is going to hell.I digress. I really loved this movie. It needs to be seen by more people. Especially those who jumped on the Downey Jr. Iron Man bandwagon. Here's a tip: he was already wonderful before he Avenged the world. SEE: Wonder Boys. This too. See this too, but also Wonder Boys. Okay, see all his works. He's just as amazing as this movie. ***Final thoughts: Half-way through attempt two of this film, I was reminded by one of my all-time favorite movies: L.A. Confidential and was shocked to learn I didn't own it on Blu. So, naturally, I had to pause this and buy it through Amazon. By that point, I didn't love this movie, or I certainly would've purchased this one, as well. Maybe when L.A. Confidential arrives and I revisit that classic, I'll pause that half way through and buy a couple of kisses and shots. That came out weird

Shane Black's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a riot from start to finish. It has one of the most snappy, sarcastic, intricately hilarious scripts I've ever heard, as well as a vibe of unabashed detective story escapism set against the trashy world of the L.A. film industry. Robert Downey Jr., in my second favourite performance of his, (Natural Born Killers takes number one) plays Harry Lockhart, a fast talking burglar who finds himself in L.A. by chance. He's being groomed for a role as a P.I. in a big budget flick, and being trained by actual private investigator Gay Perry (Val Kilmer). Yes, he's gay, before you ask, and Kilmer steals the movie. He's always had a wise cracking, facetious side, which he employs in overdrive here, giving us a hoot of a jaded, preening wiseass, with just the right hints of humanity buried beneath the blizzard of jabs and quips. They both get embroiled in a murky, confusing murder mystery plot involving the beautiful would be actress Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan). Monaghan doesn't get half the respect she's owed, and here flaunts her obvious talents well, latching onto the script wonderfully. The story itself is really muddled, and demands multiple viewings. But it's more about the exchanges between characters, the perfect comedic brew of awkward dialogue, snarky arguments and episodic, farcical antics that make this one such a treat. The script is beyond funny, and when you have actors like Downey, Kilmer and Monaghan in constant go mode, it takes flight and becomes something really special. There's killer funny work from Larry Miller, Dash Mihok, Rockmund Dunbar and Corbin Bernsen as a sleazy Malibu debonair as well. Go in with a focus on character and dialogue, as opposed to story. Save that for a later viewing. There's so much to enjoy in the acting and writing department that you won't even care what's happening, as long as you get to spend as much time as possible with these verbose creations of typewriter wizard Shane Black.