Robert Downey Jr. Says This Hilarious Crime Movie Is His Best—And Rotten Tomatoes Agrees

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The progression of Downey’s acting career is truly extraordinary. Initially, he began like numerous Hollywood actors, working minor roles in low-budget films and television shows, waiting to be discovered. That breakthrough occurred when he portrayed Ian in the ’80s cult favorite directed by John Hughes, titled Weird Science. From that point on, Downey’s career took off significantly, particularly when he delivered an impressive performance in the adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s novel Less Than Zero. In hindsight, his portrayal (a college freshman battling drug addiction in Los Angeles) was chilling and prophetic since, unbeknownst to many, the actor himself was grappling with the same issues. He even served a three-year sentence in a maximum-security prison in 1999. However, Downey’s career experienced an inspiring resurgence when he landed the part of Tony Stark, better known as Iron Man, in 2008. Since then, he has appeared in ten movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All things considered, it’s quite impressive for an actor who was thought to be past his prime.

Prior to his collaboration with Marvel, Robert Downey Jr. featured prominently in numerous entertaining films during the early 2000s. For instance, “A Scanner Darkly” is an animated film by Richard Linklater that carries a gonzo style. In addition, “Charlie Bartlett” can be categorized as an underrated high school dramedy. David Fincher’s “Zodiac” stands out among true-crime films. While these movies are exceptional, they don’t quite match the brilliance of Shane Black’s movie. According to RDJ himself, this humorous crime caper is the “best” film he has ever starred in, and it’s not hard to see why he feels that way. The cult classic continues to receive praise with a high approval rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Is Funny, Action-Packed, and Downright Brilliant

Shane Black is currently recognized as one of the most talented writers-directors in the action genre, having gained popularity with the release of “Lethal Weapon” in 1987. Since then, he has been delivering engaging and thrilling experiences, often collaborating with prominent actors. Despite having a relatively small filmography, every project that Black writes and directs is always well-crafted. This includes the underappreciated comedy “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” which was released in 2005.

The film, titled “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” revolves around Harry Lockhart, a small-time crook (played by Robert Downey Jr.), who winds up as a stand-in for a well-known actor following a burglary gone wrong and an accidental audition. Since the casting director believes he’s practicing method acting, he’s dispatched to Hollywood for further evaluations. During his stay, Harry encounters Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan), a woman he has long admired since his childhood, at a lavish gathering. He also meets Gay Perry (Val Kilmer), a detective who has been tasked with mentoring him for his acting role and the movie production.

In other words, taking on moonlighting work has its repercussions for Harry. For instance, during one of their surveillance jobs (stakeout), he and his partner Gay Perry stumble upon a body being dumped in a lake. To make matters worse, Harmony mistakenly perceives him as a genuine detective and confides in him about her sister’s suspected suicide. These seemingly unrelated incidents are actually linked, and Harry and Gay Perry team up to expose the underlying truth.

Thoroughly appreciate watching “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”. This film possesses a similar blend of wit, swift action, and it showcases beautifully crafted visual sequences. The dialogue is amusingly written, and the actors deliver their lines with impeccable comedic timing. It’s not surprising that Robert Downey Jr. regards “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” as his best work.

Robert Downey Jr. Believes the Action Comedy Was the Best Movie of His Career

When an actor such as Robert Downey Jr. speaks highly of a film, it’s generally a good bet that it’s worth your time to watch. In the case of “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”, Downey Jr. had only positive things to say about the project, expressing his thoughts on the film during an interview with Joe Rogan on his podcast.

In my opinion, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stands out as one of the finest movies I’ve been involved in. It ultimately served as a showcase for my skills. After its release and disappointing performance at the box office, Jon Favreau noticed it and commented, ‘This actor has potential for an action movie.’ This remark proved to be the key that opened the door for me into the Marvel Universe.

The timing for “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” couldn’t have been more opportune for Robert Downey Jr., as he was in the midst of a career resurgence following a series of critically-acclaimed films after overcoming substance abuse problems. Shane Black, who had faith in him, played a significant role in this transformation, potentially shaping his career in a way that might not have occurred otherwise, without “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

I, a devoted fan, couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude towards Shane Black for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2013, he took the helm and directed the critically acclaimed “Iron Man 3.” This film was highly praised, with Entertainment Weekly ranking it as the 9th best MCU film in 2023. What a remarkable achievement!

Robert Downey Jr. has a special affection for the film “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” stemming from personal reasons. This affection is evident in his acting, making his performance all the more captivating. The movie as a whole is equally impressive, with Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Gay Perry being particularly noteworthy. There’s a tangible chemistry between them, and their dialogue exchanges demonstrate their exceptional skill in their respective crafts. Interestingly, Kilmer chose to abstain from alcohol during filming as a show of support for Downey’s real-life recovery.

Shane Black’s script for the movie “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” keeps viewers constantly on their toes with unexpected twists at every juncture. As per IMDb’s trivia section, Black understands that an audience tends to lose focus after approximately 28 minutes, so he strategically places moments of less intense action throughout the film to help viewers regain concentration. This results in a non-stop rollercoaster of excitement, making it difficult for viewers to feel bored while watching.

Critics Agree That Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Is a Good Time

Numerous film enthusiasts hold “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” in high regard, much like Robert Downey Jr., with an impressive 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 7.5/10 on IMDb, and a 73 score on Metacritic. The Phoenix Films Critic Society even recognized it as the Most Overlooked Film of the Year, while Empire Magazine bestowed upon it the title of Best Thriller. Across the internet, the movie frequently appears on lists of top-rated films.

Enjoying Robert Downey Jr.’s exceptional performance in an action-comedy is a delight. He infuses the role with the same wit and captivating charm that he’s known for, as seen in films like “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang“. It’s his magnetic appeal and the on-screen chemistry between him and Val Kilmer that makes the movie so entertaining to watch. The two main actors truly shine in Shane Black’s script.

Gradually and steadily, “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is amassing the audience it truly deserves. It’s well on its path to becoming a timeless cult classic, with numerous critics, including Robert Downey Jr., praising it as one of the best action films from the 2000s. In fact, it might even be among the top movies of the entire 2000s.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but express my profound affection for Shane Black, Val Kilmer, and everything that surrounded the making of “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” This movie has captivated both young and old, to the extent that it’s becoming increasingly challenging to distinguish the actor from the character.

Any movie enthusiast who appreciates captivating stories and remarkable performances should promptly include “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” on their must-watch list. It’s quite possible that Robert Downey Jr., with his extensive filmography, is not exaggerating when he claims it to be the pinnacle of his acting career.

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2025-07-05 03:22