It’s hard to believe that anyRobert Downey Jr.film could be a hidden gem, but his 2005 crime comedy is the actor’s most underrated movie to date. Downey Jr. got off to a hot start in the 1980s, appearing in teen comedies likeWeird Sciencebefore graduating to more serious projects likeLess than Zero.
Sadly, his promising career would soon be sidetracked as the actor struggled with addiction in the 1990s. Downey Jr.’s star would fade considerably by the early 2000s, and he was almost completely gone from the spotlight at the turn of the new millennium. Thankfully, RDJ bounced back, and began to rebuild his image and career throughout the Aughts.
A string of high-profile hits offered a more mature version of the actor, and things really took off when he wascast as Tony Starkin the very first MCU film,Iron Man. However, before he would snag his career-defining role, Robert Downey Jr. starred in an underappreciated gem that was completely overshadowed by his later success.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Is One Of RDJ’s Best Movies
Harry Lockhart Was The Role RDJ Was Born To Play
Much in the same way that Tony Stark was a perfect part for Downey Jr.,the actor’s role inKiss Kiss Bang Bangwas tailor-made for him.The 2005 crime comedy thriller tapped RDJ to play the role of crook Harry Lockhart, who finds himself cast in a major Hollywood movie while trying to evade the police.
With its mix of humor and thrills,Kiss Kiss Bang Bangexemplifies the best of its genres even as it takes swipes at clichés from classic film noir. There’s an exaggerated quality to everything, andit straddles the line between the compelling and the absolutely ridiculous. RDJ is inspired, and the movie’s snark was right up his alley.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Comeback Was Boosted By Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
RDJ’s Comeback Started Years Before Iron Man
Though his MCU debut is usually credited as RDJ’s big comeback,Kiss Kiss Bang Bangis the movie that actually kicked-off his return. Along with movies likeZodiac, the 2005 action comedy showed exactly what he was capable of, and was a perfect illustration of his range as a performer.
the 2005 action comedy showed exactly what he was capable of, and was a perfect illustration of his range as a performer.
His turn as Harry Lockhart is both humorous and convincingly crooked, andRDJ’s status as the perfect sarcastic anti-hero was solidified in Shane Black’s film. ThoughKiss Kiss Bang Bangwas an abysmal financial failure, it got solid reviews and generated a lot of buzz around Downey Jr.’s comeback.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bangonly earned $15.7 million against a $15 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo).
Robert Downey Jr. And Shane Black Teamed Up Again For Iron Man 3
The Duo Returned To Make An MCU Movie
Shane Black is a celebrated and divisive creator, and his work with Robert Downey Jr. is a bit hit or miss. After working with RDJ onKiss Kiss Bang Bang,Black was tapped to direct and co-author the thirdIron Manfilm.Iron Man 3was a marked improvement overIron Man 2, but it was still lacking something.
2008
94%
$585 million
2010
72%
$623 million
2013
79%
$1.2 billion
The plot cleverly explores Tony Stark’s anxietyin the wake of the cosmic threats he faced inThe Avengers. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie is muddled, and is lost between being a superhero epic and an intriguing character study.Robert Downey Jr.’s performance was still strong, and he often turns in strong work whenever he teams with Black.
