Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

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. (2007-07-08)

"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. (2016-02-17)

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%. (2011-04-06)

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. (2015-12-16)

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. (2016-06-14)