Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is like U Turn meets The Game. It's a way-cool murder mystery where the semi-innocent bystander, Harry (Robert Downey Jr.), gets wrapped up in a mire of guns, fisticuffs, and bodies along with his newfound "friend" Perry (Val Kilmer), his love interest Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), her supposedly long-estranged twin sister and her best friend, various henchmen (like Mr. Frying Pan and Mr. Fire), and a shadowy crime boss. Half the thrill is finding out who lives or dies much less if a person is really who he or she claims to be. Downey narrates his tale ("since I don't see any other narrator standing around") in a nonchalant tone that's belied by the stress and injury he's made to endure not to mention the crimes he's forced to commit and the life-or-death situations he's barely able to escape. Kilmer is a gay man whose true status and significance is unclear (until the end). The story is full of plot twists and complications; let's just say having to spend a week like Downey's would be a nightmare in anyone's book (even if it included the romantic involvement). Kiss Kiss Bang Bang has a smart-alecky attitude -- Downey's outsider critique of Los Angeles since his character is originally from Indiana -- and I will always be happy to catch and see it again. 5 stars. (8-25-09 posted 8-30-09)