Writer/Director Shane Black is Sharp, Gosling Surprises, & Production is a WOW

Rating: 8/10 (1 November 2016)

We've Been Here Before. But when a Stylish Buddy Cop Movie Works, it Works. So there is some Fun in a Revisitation. Especially when it's Sharply Written (Shane Black, Anthony Bagarozzi), Well Acted (Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice), and Gloriously Produced.
It's the 1970's in this one with Period Detail Dripping from Every Scene. The Tone Teeters between Goofy Slapstick, One Liners, Brutal Violence, and Mystery Girls on the Run. It's more Elmore Leonard than Raymond Chandler.
The Movie is an Eye-Feast of Outrageousness, employing Topical Concerns like Air-Pollution, Pornography, and the Auto Industry as Backdrop. To Call it All "Wild and Crazy" (to borrow from the 70's debut of SNL's Steve Martin and Dan Ackroyd) would be Accurate.
It's Aimed at Adults. Ryan Gosling is the Surprise here, with an Outstanding, Against Type, Comedic Outing that is Spot-On. Also, Stealing Scenes with Regularity is Tween Newcomer Angourie Rice.
The Film has a bit of Trouble keeping Things On Track and the Story Derails with some Complications, but not enough from making this one of the Years Surprise Winners. Its Tons of Fun and They actually set up a Sequel in the Final Scene. Fans of the Film are in Anticipation, Wondering if this was an In-Joke or Not.
After All, this is L.A.'s Hollywood in the Seventies, so Anything could Happen, and usually did.
Note...Kim Basinger really needs a new hair-stylist.