Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005) (R)

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005) (R)
Directed by Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Michelle Monaghan, Val Kilmer, Corbin Bernsen

Daddy Says:

Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) is a small-time New York thief who robs department stores with his partner. After an alarm is tripped, they get split up and Harry stumbles into a casting office reading for a crime film. Harry, already stressed out from evading the police, and thinking his partner is already dead, breaks down during the audition. The casting director loves his "method acting" and casts him in the role. After flying to Los Angeles, Harry tries to reconnect with an old girlfriend named Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), and learn how to be a private investigator from the "technical advisor" for the film, a guy named Gay Perry (Val Kilmer). While out on surveillance with Perry, they see a car driven into a lake, a car which contains the dead body of the film producer's daughter (Corbin Bernsen).

If this all sounds deadly serious, a modern-day film noir, don't let my description fool you. This is a very funny action-comedy. Robert Downey Jr. displays an enormous amount of charm and wit, often stopping the movie to comment on his own narration as well as the absurdity of the proceedings. Val Kilmer also seems to be having a great time poking fun at his homosexual character. The script is well-written and the director allows us to see flashbacks when needed so that we don't get lost in the complicated story.

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is almost a parody of the buddy-cop action movie genre. It never takes itself too seriously, and is almost an homage to the film noirs of decades past. I enjoyed it immensely.

Rating for Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang: ****1/4

Daughter Says:

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang had me laughing from the beginning. Even though Robert Downey Jr. plays a criminal, Harry Lockhart, that can't seem to get his head on straight, he is extremely smart and witty. Apart from getting his butt saved by a casting crew, Harry Lockhart, also becomes a detective by accident. This gets him into loads of trouble, which helps bring out more of the comedy

This movie is rated correctly in some cases. I didn't really care for some of the nudity. But the rest, including the cursing, wasn't a bad thing. The whole movie flowed very well and had hilarious moments that fit perfectly.

I would definitely recommend this movie for those people who are looking for a good laugh and love Robert Downey Jr.

I rate Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang: ****1/2.