A Spiritual Sequel to Kiss Kiss Bank Bang

While not an actual sequel to KKBB (that movie takes place in present day), they are both directed by Shane Black. In many ways they are almost mirror images of each other with the only difference being the actors and the time setting. Both have two mismatched guys who dislike each other initially, but grow to respect the other. There are a ton of random shootouts. One of the characters has a major injury (sliced off finger / broken hand). Oh, and both have Robert Downey, Jr. (although he has an uncredited cameo in NG. That's not a spoiler. You won't recognize him unless you read the trivia section of IMDB.)

The interplay between Crowe and Gosling is pretty good. They spar and parry quite a bit before starting to work together. The plot is a bit convoluted (much like KKBB), but the stars overcome it. Gosling is a down on his luck PI and Crowe is an enforcer who is scraping the bottom of the barrel for clients. They both wind up on the same case looking for a missing porn actress. They think they are just looking for a missing girl, but there is a bigger plot afoot and they stumble their way into it. The proceedings don't make a lot of sense, but its fun nonetheless.

The one negative in this movie is Kim Basinger. She has made a habit of showing up in movies and just...well, just being there. She got an Oscar for next to nothing in LA Confidential and sleepwalked through Grudge Match. She doesn't do much here and is actually the least talented actress in the movie, which includes 15-year old Angourie Rice. I have no idea what happened to Ms. Basinger's acting ability, but she is a one-note actress who keeps getting work.

Nice Guys is a fun romp and the dialogue is worth the watch alone. Crowe and Gosling seem to be having a good time. Its not the best buddy/action movie, but it holds its own.

My memory foam pillow says it can't remember my face. I can tell its lying.