Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Impressions before seeing it
I heard it was a lot of fun, and I know Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer can be funny guys, but as for plot I didn't really know what to expect other than some comedy and action.

How was it?
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is kind of a hard movie to define. Like the title suggests, there is both romance and action, but I don't even think I would use those words to describe it. It's more like a mystery/comedy, and even that is an oversimplification. It satirizes film noir detective movies at times, and also just movies in general thanks to many instances of breaking the fourth wall, and then it gets all dramatic when the characters or their relationships are in jeopardy, as if it didn't just spend the first bit of the movie being funny and cool.

This movie is a lot of fun, and hilarious at times, but I can't decide whether it's occasional lack of focus in tone is a weakness or a strength. I know some people are against labels and conventions and such, and that's cool - all of the different genres thrown in here make the movie stand out, but it also gives the impression of being overstuffed or, again, unfocused. I'm not sure why I'm even bothering to mention it because it wasn't something I had a problem with while watching, except to say that I didn't really identify too closely with any of the characters (they were somewhat cartoonish, especially Downey) and during the romantic scenes it just felt like another instance of a movie stuffing in some heart because they think all movies need romance when they really don't.

But come on, how can you not love a movie where Val Kilmer fires a gun through the crotch of his pants?

Recommendation
It's really not a big deal if you don't end up caring about the characters, this film is a blast to watch anyway. It's entertaining, funny, and it's in on its own joke (at least I hope the unnecessarily complicated mystery plot was a joke). Feels like something most people would enjoy.