Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 114
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 114
  3. Negative: 11 out of 114

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  1. hoops2448
    Feb 2, 2012
    10
    Who said sarcasm is the lowest form of wit? Kiss Kiss Bang Bang would beg to differ as it thrives off of laughing at other peoples mistakes. It seems cruel but the film does it in a way that makes it acceptable by only employing it between the two leads Harry (Robert Downey Jr) and Perry (Val Kilmer). The film is a dark twisted buddy cop film, which is what you would expect from Lethal Weapon writer Shane Black in his directorial debut. However the difference between Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Lethal Weapon is the fact that Harry and Perry hate each other, they really do. Thatâ… Expand
  2. JohnG.
    Aug 1, 2006
    9
    Just Hee-Haw funny and very clever.
  3. et
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    This movie is laugh out loud funny! With brilliant performances by all. A must watch for anyone who likes smart, irreverent films.
  4. cameronmorewood
    Nov 17, 2012
    9
    This odd-ball noir spoof is absolute sardonic heaven.
  5. JayC.
    Dec 2, 2005
    10
    Laugh out-loud funny. Good thriller story with many twists as well.
  6. NickS.
    Feb 15, 2006
    9
    This is the best movie I have seen in 2005. I probably wouldn't have said that had the competition been better but to be honest most oscar nominations I believe were better than average movies (Brokeback Mountain,Memoirs of a Geisha etc...). I do accept some of the bad critisism themovie got: You can see it kind of in love with its own cleverness and the plot is unbelievably confusing. But hey, it was clever and the plot makes sense however unbelievable it is. Pure entertainment and good laughs. Has plenty of replay value.… Expand
  7. RobertR.
    Jul 18, 2006
    10
    This is the only movie in three years that I have gone out of my way to recommend to people. It's everything a movie should be, smart, funny, totally watchable and because it turns the conventions of hard-boiled noir on it's ear--it's totally RE-watchable. Black is a master of dialogue, character, pacing and tone. If you have a friend who doesn't like this film, you should consider ending the friendship.… Expand
  8. ReeceS.
    Jan 31, 2007
    10
    Excellent laugh out loud movie.
  9. GaryD.
    Nov 11, 2005
    9
    This movie is GREAT! Perfect casting, great acting, brilliant directing, and non-stop laughs. Who cares if the plot is so twisted that you have trouble following it. That isn't the point. This is, pure and simple, great fun and great entertainment. Don't think about it -- enjoy it!
  10. MaxM.
    Nov 13, 2005
    9
    Best film of the year so far! It felt so good to laugh so hard... and thank goodness it wasn't just me. THAT would have been embarrassing. Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr should commission a sequel pronto.
  11. RobertM.
    Nov 18, 2005
    9
    Definately recommended. Performances were great by Kilmer and Downey Jr. But the script was for the most part together, and the quick wit was very funny throughout the whole pic.
  12. JohnJay
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    Smart, Complex, excellent acting, very funny...hot, hot film!
  13. LuketheDuke
    Nov 4, 2005
    9
    Great job done by all. Downey is back with a vengeance. Michelle Monaghan is in perfect Harmony. And even Val Kilmer exceeds expectations. Perfect casting, great script, lots of fun. The story develops a fairly good mystery, delivering loads of hilarious, well-timed and perfectly delivered lines, with dry wit and plenty of laughs. Not a great film, but a very good one, and highly enjoyable as long as the frequent use of the "f" word does not dismay the viewer. I thought the film was pretty f***ing good, and very f***ing funny!… Expand
  14. EdR.
    Oct 28, 2005
    10
    This movie is so bloody funny,and so much fun that I'm stunned that the New York Times and the LA Times didn't get it. It didn't "wear me out", unless you think being a bit tired from laughing for two and a half hours is a bad experience. It's cool, hilarious, brilliant, and the funniest movie I've seen in about five years. The script,actors and direction are all dynamite.At the screening I went to the entire audience was roaring with laughter. If you're at all literate go see it.… Expand
  15. thegooch
    Oct 29, 2005
    10
    Hilarious, no...EFFIN HILARIOUS...I haven't laughed like that in a movie in years. Smart, funny and pitch-perfect dialogue. Val Kilmer is great.
  16. TonyB.
    Jan 18, 2006
    10
    loved this movie, thought it was very funny and great acting can not wait for this one to come to dvd deffinatly worth a purchase.
  17. TomY.
    Jul 5, 2006
    9
    I love this movie. It's very witty, and if people argue that it is in love with itself, it's only because they don't get the joke.
  18. charlyp
    Nov 22, 2005
    9
    Madre mia, increíble que esta palícula no esté rompiendo taquilla de una manera destacada. Mierdas como Doom estrenándose en 3000 cines y esta maravilla pasando de puntillas por el cine. Un guión excelente, una dirección hábil y sobretodo dos protagonistas bien calzados en sus papeles, mostrando una complicidad absoluta y una comicidad total.....joder, pero si hasta me tuve que quitar las gafas para secarme los ojos de tanto reir......grande shane....absolutamente grande....ahora sólo hace falta que el resto del planeta se entere.… Expand
  19. Jessica
    Nov 7, 2005
    10
    Great movie!! hysterical!!! one of the most clever and quick witted movies i've seen.
  20. JodyT.
    Dec 12, 2005
    10
    This really is the one of the funniest films I have seen for a long long time. I was crying with laughter. Great, go watch it I urge you!
  21. BillD.
    Dec 2, 2005
    10
    Maybe someone can help me. This is easily the most entertaining movie I've seen this year. The two male stars are great here, as always; and the female lead, Michelle Monaghan, is fresh,funny and sexy. The movie has action, a fast pace and some very big laughs. Here's where I need the help: Why was this movie showing on only 226 screens in each of the last two weeks? Hollywood buries this movie, shows "Derailed" on ten times as many screens, and wonders why ticket sales are down.… Expand
  22. MarkS
    Oct 23, 2005
    9
    Funny, smart murder mystery with great performances all around, especially Val Kilmer.
  23. AliciaS.
    Oct 16, 2006
    10
    This movie was non stop humor. By far Robert Downy Jr.'s best performances yet! Great movie, I would recommend it to anyone! Watch it. You will LOVE IT! I know I did!
  24. chaninderb.
    Nov 22, 2005
    10
    Amazingly clever and funny.
  25. Aaron
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    Best movie of the year. Original story & clever. Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr rock. Can't believe it only got limited release in theatres. Monaghan is hot.
  26. CharlotteP
    Apr 13, 2011
    9
    This reminds me of nothing more than The Singing Detective (the original, although RDJ did coincidentally star in the hamfisted Hollywood remake). A funny, sharp, knowing film which repays repeated viewing.
  27. AlexS
    Aug 10, 2011
    9
    Fun,breezy and downright hilarious.Robert Downey Jr,Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan all do great work.Easily one of the slickest and most stylish movies in a while.Consistently entertaining,funny and inventive.
  28. StevenF
    Mar 15, 2013
    10
    Shane Black's writers block was perhaps the best thing that ever happened to him, because if all that built up creativity led to this sort of film more often, then we all need a case of these mental blockages, as this film, written and directed himself, is possibly the best work of his career.
    Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is told as a mash up of different film genres, noir, comedy and all around c    riminal behaviour, and Robert Downey Jr makes one of the best returns to form as small time thief Harry Lockhart, who stumbles accidentally into an audition, which he is praised for after the events which had just occurred.
    He is introduced to Perry "Gay Perry" van Shrike, who is played convincingly and humorously by Val Kilmer, and Perry and Harry soon set off on massive adventure of murder and mystery, all with the beautiful wit of the well written script in toe.
    Downey Jr narrates an outsider point of view of the film, explaining to audiences about certain aspects of the film, even rewinding at parts he thinks he has left out, all circling towards a very unique and stylised form of story-telling.
    The humour is sharp-tongued and often crude, and it is clear form the beginning that Shane Black has a particular audience in mind, not necessarily those of the crime capers, but those who are accustomed to an unorthodox style of cinema, and those who are willing to keep up with the ever expanding story.
    Robert Downey Jr is excellent as Harry Lockhart, simply pacing through the movie as a good but bad guy having a bad day, while Val Kilmer is the opposite, a real life PI who is asked to help Lockhart prepare for his film role when things start to become too realistic, his acting capabilities are soon showing as his character becomes less and less cool.
    Michelle Monaghan, Corbin Bernsen and Rockmund Dunbar also make up a very expansive and interesting cast, all of whom play a pivotal part in the telling of the story and are beneficial as to how all the stories become intertwined.
    The film is full of dark humour and witty gags from start to finish, but with the acting of Downey Jr and Kilmer at the helm, the film is grounded to create an enjoyable and excellent piece of filmmaking that leave you laughing and shocked for a considerable amount of time.    … Expand
  29. Baze
    Nov 25, 2012
    10
    Clever, funny, Downey & Kilmer are incredible. One of my favorite movies, no doubt.
    Well, what do you expect, go watch, now !
    High five Shane Black !
  30. Compi24
    Nov 28, 2012
    10
    So unique you just cannot help but love every single moment of it, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" is a dark, satirical, and side-splittingly funny neo-noir dramedy.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    75
    Shane Black creates a movie that is defiantly smartass and too cool for the room. I couldn't have liked it more.
    Read full review
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Robert K. Elder
    88
    Black's retro-noir reminds us why we love movies: because they can surprise us, even when we're ankle deep in bullet casings, bodies and enough twists to tie us in knots.
    Read full review
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    70
    Downey and Monaghan are wonderful at playing characters that compensate for the harshness of their past with flippant swaggers.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »