With its comic book style open and neo-noir atmosphere, the 2005 Shane Black effort “Kiss Kiss Bank Bang” attempts to channel the soul of iconic Indy films like “Reservoir Dogs” or “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.”
While packed with a host of solid talent, hysterical scenes, and robust action, “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” ultimately fails to deliver on par with the aforementioned films, with its style and fluff greatly outweighing its overall story.
Released in the same year as Frank Miller’s epic “Sin City,” its obvious Shane Black – who wrote the 80s action classic “Lethal Weapon” – was inspired by the type of dark comedy and gratuitous mayhem that comes from golden age detective stories. Black wrote the screenplay for “Kiss” based on the 1941 Brett Halliday novel Bodies are where you find them.
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is narrated by Robert Downer Jr, who also stars as Harry Lockhart, an ordinary thief who inadvertently lands a part in a movie while evading capture from the police. “One minute I’m boosting X-Boxes in the East Village, the next I’m sipping champagne in LA.” Harry explains in the introduction of the story.
The plot moves fast, with quick scenes, sharp dialogue, and a troupe of new elements introduced in a rapid style (think “Pulp Fiction” on methamphetamines). It gets confusing early on, and adds more and more elements as the story progresses, a tactic often employed when the writer ad libs too much and forgets how to reach a conclusion.
Joining Downey is Val Kilmer in the role of Perry Van Shrike – a private investigator, Michelle Monaghan as Harmony Faith Lane, a typical Hollywood resident with aspirations of becoming an actress, and Corbin Bernsen as Harlan Dexter, a retired actor who appears to be hiding something.
With Downey’s narrative, we follow Harry et al on a wild ride that goes from the ordinary to the completely ridiculous. The end result is a movie that gets too cute, weaving a maze that in the end is foolishly explained.
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is the type of movie I usually love. Downey is an almost perfect choice in the lead role – a stumbling crook who manages to comically con his way into much more lavish things. His narrations are fun, and on screen he excels as he usually does.
Michelle Monaghan is equally enjoyable with her role, and a treat to watch on screen. Certain actors belong in certain types of movies, and Monaghan is perfect at pulling off this type of role. Word of warning: Monaghan is so beautiful you may need a bib to wipe drool after every scene she is in.
The rest of the story goes flat. It seems to have no real plan or direction, relying simply on the absurdity of the plot to carry it through to conclusion.
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is full of action and solid acting. The story is shy of being great. If you want a fun and easy movie its not a bad choice. If you want something equal to the excellence of Tarantino, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
by – Matt Christopher
