Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Shane Black's directorial debut, 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)', is a neo-noir thriller that riffs on hard-boiled detective genre conventions but also conforms to them almost as much as it subverts them. It's well-done comedy, several laugh-out-loud moments punctuate a consistently well-written screenplay, but it can feel a little cynical, at times, and the overly complex plot is occasionally difficult to follow. The way the feature plays around with the fourth wall can get a little 'in your face' in the first forty minutes, too. However, this is still an energetic and entertaining feature that brings Black back to his former self, sitting side-by-side with 'Lethal Weapon (1987)' as an engagingly smart action-comedy. It's sly satire with a subversive streak. 8/10

Shane black writes and directs this hilarious crime comedy caper starring Robert Downey jr, Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan. Downey jr and Kilmer have great chemistry onscreen, with each actor complementing each others performances. Downey jr's Lockhart and kilmer's gay perry are made all the more memorable by Shane black's fast-paced, quip-filled dialogue. Michelle Monaghan plays the extremely adorable and hilarious Harmony, who was a very pleasant surprise for me in this film. The plot of the movie is really enthralling, with constant twist and turns. My one criticism of the movie is its villain, who is quite weak. However the performances of Downey jr, Kilmer and Monaghan more than make up for this. This is without a doubt one of the most quotable and funniest movies from the 2000's and really deserves more recognition. It is unmissable.

I love this movie, it helped me out of my depression. It is really good and I love it very much. When I watched this movie it felt like it rocked my world. I love the actors and their performances were amazing. The best part of the movie was the whole thing, and the worst were the credits :((I give this movie the highest score!!!!

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.