Verdict:
This movie really needs a better title. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang makes it sounds like a cheesy badly acted action movie. However, to the contrary, this one excels as a sharp and funny crime comedy.
This dark comedy has a peculiar style. It starts out with events that follow one another with little relation, but then more and more connections are made between the events as the movie progresses, which is not only the movie’s style is also part of the plot. It’s fast paced and flows very well. The experience of watching this film is akin to a ride down a water slide while listening to a comedian.
Have to admit, I am surprised at how dark the jokes are. I always thought people are touchy about that sort of thing, but I guess the film is so well put together and funny that this bother the audiences, judging by the film’s success.
Having said that, in its haste, the mood swings can be extreme. There is at least one really bad incident that happens to one of the main characters, and yet moments after it happens, that same person is joking around, as it was time for another adorable line. That sort of thing is startling, but it fits the chaotic style.
The story is not that important anyway because this film is constructed almost wholly upon the foundation of actor performances. Robert Downey Junior delivers a very charismatic performance. He is fast with his lines and perfectly fits with the pace of the film. Val Kilmer, who partners up with him, has had his bad roles and his good roles. This is definitely one of the good ones.
In short, the story and mood are all over the place, requiring the viewer’s attention to keep up, but the actors are adorable and the film is funny. What else do you want from it?