Search - Nice Guys, The (2016) [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

B.J. W. (analogkid01) from CHICAGO, IL
Reviewed on 7/5/2025...

"The Nice Guys" is a 2016 buddy-cop film starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, two actors most known for their comedic stylings.

Writer-director Shane Black continues in his successful "Lethal Weapon" milieu and, once again, delivers the goods. Crowe plays a "heavy" who essentially beats up people for money; Gosling is at least a legit P.I. with a precocious 13-year-old daughter Holly (Angourie Rice, evoking a young Brie Larson). They team up to track down a missing girl, which is admirable considering they meet when Crowe punches Gosling in the face and breaks his arm as a chaser.

The missing girl is Amelia (Margaret Qualley), whose mother is a Los Angeles district attorney (Kim Basinger). Amelia is a devout environmentalist, and makes an "experimental film" (cough PORNO cough) which carries a political message against the pollution-generating car industry. Once word about this film gets out, the cast and crew start getting knocked off one by one.

Crowe and Gosling share a crackling dynamic, but it's Rice who steals the show. Wise beyond her years and fearless, Holly goes above and beyond in helping the two men crack the case. There's a recurring theme of "children wanting to do the right thing" throughout the film, and it's touching and refreshing. Of course there's also a recurring theme of "everyone trying to make a buck" which keeps things grounded.

I know I'm a bit late to this party, but I'm here to dance.

Grade: A-minus

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 9/24/2022...

Really strong start, only to fizzle out. Watch and then speed watch!