'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' review by Captain Raptor
I've been yearning to watch Kiss Kiss Bang Bang for a long time, not least because the leading double act of Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr is the closest we'll ever come to seeing Iron Man and Batman together on the silver screen. After my near-complete infatuation with the most recent team up of star Downey Jr and director Shane Black on Iron Man 3, I finally made the time this weekend to sit down and view the modern cult classic.
I was not at all let down by the viewing experience. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang seems like a composite of the best features of films that were later released, containing the knowing deconstruction of Hollywood and crime movies from within a Hollywood crime movie present in Seven Psychopaths; the mercilessly funny and whip smart black comedy of In Bruges; the witty and very deliberate subversion of tropes as seen in Serenity. Given it's fairly meagre commercial success it's unlikely that Kiss Kiss Bang Bang inspired these films, rather Shane Black's utterly brilliant screenplay is one the prime showcases of modern cinema techniques. The plot is an ideal mix of accessibility and complexity, as Downey Jr's naive and motor-mouthed thief-cum-actor Harry teams up with Kilmer's surly hardman detective Gay Perry and Michelle Monaghan's struggling actress Harmony as they all become further and further involved in a murder-mystery scheme. The performances from the lead trio are all outstanding, but the one most particularly worthy of a mention is that of Val Kilmer, showing comic timing I had no idea he possessed as the sardonic professional exasperated by Harry's amateurism. Other highlights include Harry's fourth wall breaking narration, during which he shouts at on screen extras and complains about the film's ending, and the various sharp shocks of black comedy that come out of nowhere, giving the film a real sense of insanity and unpredictability.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is wickedly funny, but the film's appeal goes further than that. The plot takes on some dark undertones at various points, and the story moves along at such a pace that by the time you've recovered from one surprise, a second one jumps out at you. It's a film of intelligence, both in the sense that the dialogue and plot are very witty and savvy, and in the sense that it's a film that doesn't babysit its audience, the implications are there and its up to you to fill in the gaps for yourself. The film's protagonist Harry Lockhart is also one of the most enjoyably complex characters I've ever seen in an action comedy: he's laid-back and sarcastic yet clearly vulnerable; he believes in chivalry but it borders on judgemental, and ultimately he is a good person coerced into theft, conspiracy and murder. It all leads to excellent characterisation that's held up by Downey's excellent performance, making Harry the best accidental detective since The Big Lebowski.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang balances intelligence, comedy and action in a way that's rarely seen, giving each element its moment to flourish and intertwining the three expertly. If, like me, you enjoy snarky and self-aware pop culture like Community or The Cabin In The Woods, then Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is simply a must-see. To everyone else, there's still a lot to be gained from this viewing experience: a near-perfect action comedy with extra doses of gallows humour and intriguing noir appeal.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is wickedly funny, but the film's appeal goes further than that. The plot takes on some dark undertones at various points, and the story moves along at such a pace that by the time you've recovered from one surprise, a second one jumps out at you. It's a film of intelligence, both in the sense that the dialogue and plot are very witty and savvy, and in the sense that it's a film that doesn't babysit its audience, the implications are there and its up to you to fill in the gaps for yourself. The film's protagonist Harry Lockhart is also one of the most enjoyably complex characters I've ever seen in an action comedy: he's laid-back and sarcastic yet clearly vulnerable; he believes in chivalry but it borders on judgemental, and ultimately he is a good person coerced into theft, conspiracy and murder. It all leads to excellent characterisation that's held up by Downey's excellent performance, making Harry the best accidental detective since The Big Lebowski.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang balances intelligence, comedy and action in a way that's rarely seen, giving each element its moment to flourish and intertwining the three expertly. If, like me, you enjoy snarky and self-aware pop culture like Community or The Cabin In The Woods, then Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is simply a must-see. To everyone else, there's still a lot to be gained from this viewing experience: a near-perfect action comedy with extra doses of gallows humour and intriguing noir appeal.
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