The Nice Guys
A good introduction to one of Hollywood’s more creative, original, mainstream movie-makers
Shane Black is probably a name that you don't recognise. Chances are, however, that you've more than likely enjoyed some of his cinema work before. Back in the day, Black penned Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 1 and 2, Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans in Last Boy Scout, and directed the criminally underrated Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer. The RDJ connection continued with his most recent of works, the somewhat controversial Iron Man 3 for Marvel Studios.In 2016, Shane Black brings us The Nice Guys starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Two actors I've never really warmed to. Don't get me wrong, I love Crowe in Gladiator, but he does has a tendency to be a bit of a dick at times in the real world, and Gosling’s cool in Drive, but I swear most of the man’s talent lies in his ability to stare off in to the middle distance looking sexy and not open his mouth. Black's pedigree as a writer and director is definitely what made me want to see this movie. And ultimately, it’s that pedigree that lets The Nice Guys down.
Every move in the Shane Black playbook is executed with precision.
Down on their luck, wise-cracking alcoholic protagonists with broken marriages.
The teenage children of our heroes who unwittingly become embroiled in the action.
Creepy, faceless, assassins shooting up suburban Los Angeles.
Cars and dead bodies crashing down California hillsides disrupting ‘normal’ life.
Labyrinthine, and at times even incomprehensible, plots telling a larger story of the corrupt underbelly of American sex, government and big business.
Christmas (Yes. Christmas).
All sounds intriguing, gripping, and engaging, yes? Indeed it is. Trouble is, I've seen it all before. And I’ve seen it done better, first time around, by the same movie-maker. In the Nineties.What manages to keep The Nice Guys from drowning as its head is held forcefully under the water of its creator’s own legacy is its delivery. The script is pistol whip tight, the direction is deft, and there’s not an out of place performance in the entire movie. Crowe and Gosling work well together as a foil for each other’s gags, and much like other Shane Black movies, scenes are stolen by the younger actors. The movie looks great, perfectly capturing that 70s era, and sounds even greater with its Lalo Schifrinesqe score and disco soundtrack.If you've never seen a Shane Black movie before, go see The Nice Guys. As an introduction to one of Hollywood’s more creative, original, mainstream movie-makers, you'll love it. If you’re familiar with Black’s previous work, take my advice.Stay at home, pour yourself a short one with some ice, park your middle-aged butt on the sofa and slap Last Boy Scout in the blu-ray player. It’s better. And it’s got Bruce Willis in it. And he’s much cooler than either Russell Crowe or Ryan Gosling.
