Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang: A

Shane Black once revolutionized not only the action-flick but also the buddy-flick with his Lethal Weapon series. Now, almost 20 years later, he adds a comma and director to his resume for Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. A comedy-noir-thriller that moves in two directions simultaneously: backwards and forwards, deconstructing it's story and building on it's characters. When the movie first starts we are excited (after all wasn't it the legendary film critic Pauline Kael that once said those titular four words summed up the whole movie appeal?), we expect death and mayhem and laughs. When the picture ends we know the fates of three well made characters and the resolution to one teensy-weensy double murder. Robert Downey Jr., as scumbag Harry, is at the top of his game as a thief turned actor turned dectective apprentice at the feet of tough-as-nails detective Gay Perry (Val Kilmer) named so because he is. Gay. They work with a young wanting-to-be named Harmony (Michelle Monahan, watch her) in unraveling a mystery as joyous as it is to be a part of as it is to see it fall apart. The dialouge is 4 times more than there would be in a usual movie and 10 times more memorable, what with Harry narrating the film with sparkling and zippy commentary ("I saw the last Lord of the Rings movie and don't worry, this movie won't end like 20 times). The narration is sharp and, much like the brilliantly taunt and playful Ocean's Eleven, this movie is way ahead of the thriller-noir-buddy-action-comedy flick pack.