"It's hard to believe it was just last Christmas that Harmony and I changed the world. And we didn't even mean to and it didn't last long. You know a thing like that can't." -Harry Lockhart
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a marvel of a movie. It tells the story of small time crook Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) who is whisked away to Hollywood after a misunderstanding at an accidental audition for a TV show. Once in Tinseltown, Harry is paired up with private investigator Perry Van Shrike aka: Gay Perry (Val Kilmer) to receive on the job experience for his upcoming role. One thing leads to another and before you know it they're on a case with so many twists and turns it makes the hedge maze in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) look like child's play.
The thing that makes this movie so great is its neo-noir feel. It takes place in modern times but it has a heavy 1940's detective crime noir feel of golden age films. As with the old classics, the commentary is what makes it. Harry is your narrator, and the way he presents the story to you is comedic in it's own right. Just like the rest of us, Harry slips up from time to time and has to correct himself. If you have a problem with that, well "...I don't see another Goddamn narrator, so pipe down."
The banter between Harry and Perry is solid entertainment. The dry sarcasm emanating from Perry always seems to find it's stinging target in Harry's naivety. Comedy aside, there are some scenes in here that present top notch performances and solid acting from both parties involved. The best scene in the film is when Harry is hiding under a bed while something goes on in the room, and when he comes out of hiding a decision has to be made. Between that and the confrontation in the epilogue; chills.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang pulls off the dark and gritty feel of a detective story without making you feel like you're in Sin City (2005) or a Zack Snyder movie. It constantly walks the line of being a cliched detective noir and an original, entertaining story; which is refreshing in many ways. How those two aspects oppose each other creates a foil that works to highlight the best parts of each side.
A thrilling film full of laughs, shootouts, mystery, and murder. The performances are amazing and the atmosphere is electric. You'll love every minute of this Christmastime crime story. Just remember to pack a gun.