Directed by:
Shane BlackScreenplay:
Shane BlackCinematography:
Michael BarrettComposer:
John OttmanCast:
Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, Corbin Bernsen, Dash Mihok, Larry Miller, Rockmond Dunbar, Shannyn Sossamon, Angela Lindvall, Ariel Winter (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) is basically a decent guy. Sure, he's a petty thief who skates through life on a shaky cocktail of dog-eared charm and cockeyed optimism, but he wants to do the right thing. He just doesn't know how, exactly. Harry's perpetual bad luck takes a turn for the better when he and his partner are doing some after-hours Christmas 'shopping' at a New York City toy store and the security alarm breaks up the party. In making his frantic getaway from the cops, Harry inadvertently stumbles into an audition for a Hollywood detective movie, and faster than you can say Jack Robinson, the producer flies him to Los Angeles for a screen test. Thrust into the cutthroat world of L.A.'s pros, cons, losers and wannabes, Harry is teamed with tough-guy private eye Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer), AKA 'Gay Perry', to prepare him for his screen test. (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (10)
Great genre crossover. Here noir is parodied while at the same time receiving a proper tribute, while buddy movies, a practically dead genre, get a substantial injection for several years to come. Above all, the central duo of "Perry the Gay Guy and Harry the New Yorker" manage quite convincingly to confirm and overturn the tough-guy gimmicks on their head, and surprisingly get under your skin right from the opening minutes.
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A thoroughly likeable film with a not less likeable cast, an excellent script, funny one-liners, an uplifting view and a massive “but”. Despite all that concentrated positivity, I didn’t have much fun with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Buddy movies never satisfy me much (the sub-genre gets on my nerves for some reason, in fact), so, even though KKBB is one of the best of the lot, it doesn’t get more than a slight thumbs up out of me.
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Insights gleaned from reading trash mystery novels and watching B crime dramas in a heavyweight mix of apt verbal shootouts and indiscriminate slaps at the stars of today from Dream Factory. Shane Black earns full marks in his main discipline, but not everyone is given the ability to give more than a grey routine shape to a brilliant script from behind the camera. It would take either old scoutmaster T. Scott or the younger Joe Carnahan. That’s unfortunate and it doesn't deserve 4 stars the first time, and sadly, it also doesn't entice a second watch.
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A pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting much, but Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. served me a very funny (I haven't laughed out loud like that in a long time) action crime film with an interesting story and some action. Well just an excellent fun ride that put a smile on my face. 80%
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A sympathetic film thanks to a series of successful catchphrases, self-irony, and the decadent environment of Hollywood. However, it is precisely the kind of film where I appreciate a lot of details, but the overall impression is not so great. Namely, the film has an overcomplicated script, purposeless squeezing out of humor, and violent jumping between crazy situations and more serious tones. In addition, out of the three main actors, only Robert Downey Jr. works for me completely. I don't really like Val Kilmer and he only ever impressed me in The Salton Sea. Michelle Monaghan is a fine actress, but she didn't fit into this role and I would prefer a dozen others in her place. Moreover, the script also omitted a lot of self-deprecating dialogues and jokes, it works exactly in the spirit of what is expected. Simply put, it has been done many times before. Overall impression: 65%.
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Another action comedy full great lines by Shane Black, who this time also sits in the director's chair. The incredible screenplay, full of twists and excellent lines, is complemented by great acting performances. Robert Downey Jr. acts like his life depends on it and "faggot" Val Kilmer complements him brilliantly. If it weren't for the slow pace and too many exaggerated jokes in some places, it would be perfect. Still, I'm even more sorry that the fifth Lethal Weapon won't happen after all because I feel that Black's screenplay could have given the series a much more dignified ending.
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"Look up idiot in the dictionary, and you know what you'll find? "A... picture of my face? "No! The definition of the word idiot which you fucking are!." I have not laughed this hard in a long time. I got exactly what I expected, and I am completely satisfied. There is some black comedy, the vice-ridden world of Los Angeles, an interesting storytelling style, unexpected twists, and awesome characters. Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer had a blast, and I also had a great time. 9/10.
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I had a great time, the verbal exchanges between the central trio are devilishly funny and the situations they all get into are subtle. Apart from being funny, the script is also quite complicated and I admit that I got lost in it at first. But it will be better the second time around - and I will watch Kiss Kiss Bang Bang again soon, that's for sure.
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The film is actually just another slightly above-average action-crime-comedy that is not nearly as original and cool as it tries to be from the opening seconds, and is only kept significantly afloat by great performances and that slightly offbeat take on today's Hollywood. Downey in particular is classically excellent and rules in every scene, but Michelle Monaghan with her big cleavage also has something going for her. Overall, the unconventional approach to the traditional plot and the ubiquitous attempt at humorous interludes, which are usually successful, are fine, but I still couldn't shake the feeling that this is no great piece of screenwriting as far as individual scenes are concerned. But that doesn't take away from the fact that I had a great time, that those 100 minutes flew by quickly and that I don't regret a single moment I sacrificed for this film.
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Robert Downey Jr. shows that he's quite suited for neurotic characters, and together with Val Kilmer, who is still in quite good form here, they enjoy this crazy ride where you sometimes feel like the story isn't actually that important, even though it still progresses, things keep happening, and there are constantly twists and turns. Entertaining, eccentric, and yet clever.
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