Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, Joel Michaely, Corbin Bernsen
Directed by: Shane Black

Released in the US: October 21st, 2005
Released in the UK: October 2005

Reviewed by: Adam Mast, ZBoneman.com

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is a strangely entertaining – if a tad convoluted – noir/comedy that marks the directing debut of Shane Black. A bit of a legend whom, way back in the 80s, at the age of 21, triggered quite a studio bidding war over a little screenplay he wrote called Lethal Weapon. Black would go on to pen other monstrous action hits including Predator and Last Boy Scout, before taking a lengthy hiatus from the movie game. This film marks his return and does so with an endearing sense of swagger even if Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang does get a little too self conscious for it’s own good.

In this zany noir thriller, Robert Downey Jr. plays a petty crook named Harry Lockhart. While quickly fleeing the scene after a burglary goes awry, Harry happens to stumble right into the middle of a big Hollywood studio movie audition. Desperate to remain undetected as the cops close in, Harry reluctantly poses as an actor and to his absolute shock, finds himself pursued for a role in a major motion picture. The circumstances soon become even more bizarre, as Harry is then teamed up with Private Eye Perry van Shrike (a hilarious Val Kilmer), a homosexual detective who moonlights as a sort of consultant for actors prepping to play law men. The craziness really ensues when Harry, Perry and an aspiring actress name Harmony Faith Lane (Michelle Monaghan) find themselves embedded in a old fashioned murder mystery.

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang isn’t so much film noir as it is a clever ode to film noir. The movie is purposely over-the-top and is constantly winking at the audience as to announce; "Hey! I’m clever!" And for the most part, it is. As a result, Shane Black has found a pretty fun way to have his cake and eat it too. While this movie is full of standard thriller clichés, the writer/director usually gets away with such business because he happily acknowledges these clichés. Take for instance the way Robert Downey Jr. cheerfully narrates the film, and brings to our full attention that he is narrating the story. Or how about Downey’s joking that the film is running too long and going so far as to take a fairly easy stab at the several endings on display in Peter Jackson’s masterful Return of the King. It doesn’t hide the fact that Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is indeed a little too long, but it does keep the audience from squirming and consulting their wrist-watches.

What really gives Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang it’s kick are the glorious moments of uproariously bizarre unpredictability. Bursts of violence and seemingly unfathomable situations that have to be seen to be believed. And in fact, many of these off-the-wall sequences brought Pulp Fiction to mind - while the overall tone of the movie sort of reminded me of Brian Helgeland’s underrated Payback (albeit with quite a bit more humor.) I really don’t want to give away any of the movie’s funniest bits (and there are moments here that are among the funniest I’ve seen in a long time) but I will say that KKBB gives new meaning to the phrase, "I spit on your corpse."

Robert Downey Jr. is just outstanding here. He carries the entire film as the lovable but dimwitted Harry Lockhart. The turn affords Downey an opportunity to display a wide range of emotions, as well as show off his great penchant for physical comedy. It’s a terrific and lively work and it’s great to see this gifted actor enjoying such great success as of late - with roles in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and Good Night, and Good Luck. Val Kilmer is a scream as the self indulgent private eye who sort of plays Bud Abbot to Downey’s Lou Costello. And while his character is openly homosexual (he’s even nicknamed Gay Perry – hilarious!) Kilmer lends a sort of subtle vibe to the role. Really funny work.

Michelle Monaghan is a riot and shakes up the whole mythical stereotype that all young actresses who come to Hollywood are taken advantage of. She’s extremely intelligent, fiercely ambitious, and extremely sexy. As a trio, all three performers play off each other wonderfully, and it’s this comic chemistry that gives the film so much of it’s bang.

Overall, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is an extremely entertaining film. It’s not the sort of project I would have expected from Shane Black, but that’s kind of what I like about it. It’s refreshing that he took a little time off, than re-entered the game with something a little bit different. In a way, his movie sort of does for the action and film-noir genre what "Scream" did for slasher flicks, but with a little more flair. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang does tend to get a little drunk on it’s own esoteric cleverness (film buffs and trivial pursuers will have a field day) even so, I found it to be a damn fun time. It’s nice to have you back Mr. Black.

On a final note, if you find yourself having to really seek this flick out, make the effort. It’s well worth it and it deserves much more attention than it’s getting.

Grade: B