Very Good, Original

Rating: 8/10 (2 February 2019)

THE NICE GUYS is surprisingly good. The trailer made it look kind of corny, but it always says on the good side of that line. It's quirky and fun, but never corny. The basic plot is nothing new, but the dynamic between the two leads feels fresh and original.
There are some greats scenes and great dialog. There are several bits of long banter, the kind that often feels like it goes on for too long in a lot of films, but here it feels entirely appropriate and even welcome. The jokes are good and the action is good. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling both give great and memorable performances, some of the best of their careers. And they set it up for a sequel, which I hope we see someday soon. Recommend.