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Kiss kiss, bang bang

Calling this a comeback for writer Shane Black would be an understatement and insult. This film of his, this novelty and delightfully original take on an old genre, cannot be mistaken for a comeback because this is simply the best thing he has ever done. “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang,” has all the attributes of an old school detective thriller, but carries with it a wry sense of self, which oddly allows it to take twists and turns a strict adherence to the genre would not. Black’s use of lightning fast dialogue and sharp retorts, place the viewer precariously near personal injury. Instead of the usual smarmy, brain dead action heroes Black is famous for creating – most notably, Martin Riggs of “Lethal Weapon” fame – here, Black’s characters are full of nearly real human emotions. Sure, his characterizations are still bold and undeniably showy, but there are cracks in their surface that make them a little more enjoyable to watch.

Harry Lockhart, (Robert Downey Jr.) begins his journey from nearly the end, which then wraps around itself like a Mobius Strip; its inherent non-orientable property works perfectly for this kind of film. Lockhart, after botching a robbery and witnessing the death of his partner, somehow finds himself hiding in Los Angeles as an undiscovered actor. There, he hooks up with his agent he has working for him, a private investigator known as Gay Perry (Val Kilmer). Gay Perry takes Lockhart under his wing to show him how to “act” like a P.I. At this juncture, Lockhart and Perry find themselves involved in a murder mystery that somehow brings back Harmony Faith Lane (Michelle Monaghan), the unrequited love of Lockhart’s life. As ludicrous as it sounds, Black’s dialogue and Downey’s nearly over-the-top performance, Kilmer’s willingness to play against type and the unrelentingly adorable Monaghan, all combine to seal the deal from the get go. Black has crafted a neo-noir-by-way-of-pulp-novel spawned of immature comedy that almost defies logic. It’s funny and ridiculous one moment, then violent and dark in the blink of an eye. Imagine a Sam Spade story where dismemberment elicits guffaws from the audience. The film continues wreaking havoc until the inevitable, slightly sappy and too easily foreseen conclusion. This is a small price to pay, however, for a film that is as funny and enjoyable as this.

The Warner Bros. disc is only available in widescreen with their seemingly standard 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The picture is crisp and clear with rich blacks and sharp color. The extras include a gag reel, theatrical trailer and a commentary track. Strange that Kilmer would show up on so many commentary tracks, but here, along side Black and Downey, they make for an entertaining and humorous addition to the disc.

Written by: Kevin Yeoman

Reviewers Rating: 7.5
Reader's Rating: 9.00
Reader's Votes: 2

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