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Created May 10, 2009 03:18PM PST • Edited Dec 14, 2013 01:42AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Occasionally LOL, though generally too clever for its own good, this tongue-in-cheek LA murder mystery is more head-scratcher than belly-laugher. That said, those in the know about the movie industry will certainly enjoy the self-referential humor.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   The three leads – Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan – have good chemistry but never seem to sparkle together, as must happen for a witty ensemble like this to catch fire.

   Corbin Bernsen, still Mr. LA from his days on LA Law, perfectly plays a rich LA scumbag, while Larry Miller delivers his patented unctuousness in a well staged small dose.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    Shane Black – wildly successful for scripting the Lethal Weapon series – injects his sensibilities through and through KKBB. Wry humor, lots of gunplay, mismatched buddies, pop allusions, and glamorous settings abound. Too bad Black – here both writer and rookie director – can’t make his lethal concoction consistently rise to the occasion.

11. Direction Barely OK 2.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.0

17. Sex Titillating 2.0

18. Violence Fierce 2.0

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

    Lose a finger in a slammed door, yet function like it’s just a boo-boo. I don’t think so. Even in LA, severing a digit causes significant trauma.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.9

23. Biological Glib 1.8

24. Physical Natural 1.0