The Nice Guys Review

Overview

Mike and Jay kick off a rewatch/review of The Nice Guys, calling it one of their most anticipated movies and praising director Shane Black—especially his work on Lethal Weapon and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

They frame the film as a ’70s buddy-cop / heist-crime comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crow, where the search for a missing porn star (as described in the subtitles) spirals into escalating chaos.

Main Plot (as discussed)

• Ryan Gosling plays a flawed, broken private investigator—an alcoholic and emotionally messy man trying to balance work while raising his daughter.
• Russell Crow plays a bruiser enforcer: a violent, off-the-books fixer who gets pulled into the investigation.
• The two become entangled as they chase the missing person, with the plot gaining momentum through stumbles, luck, and accidental discoveries.

Highlights and What They Liked Most

• The trailer’s promise matches the movie

  • They describe it as a compact “microcosm” of the film: fun, pulp energy, and the right balance of action and comedy.

• Ryan Gosling’s comedic performance

  • They’re impressed he’s “phenomenally funny,” especially through overreactions (including screaming and physical-comedy moments).
  • They also note Gosling sometimes overshadows Crow as the “live wire.”

• Gosling’s character depth

  • While the movie stays mostly comedic, they point out there’s supposed to be darker emotional baggage—alcoholism and a troubled past—that the film doesn’t fully explore.

• Russell Crow’s arc

  • Crow begins as an uncaring ass-kicker, unashamed of beating people up.
  • Over time, he shifts toward wanting purpose and being a “good guy.”
  • They highlight a moment where his character becomes admirable/aspirational to Gosling’s daughter.

• Lethal Weapon comparisons

  • They repeatedly connect the vibe to Lethal Weapon (“a Lethal Weapon of today”).
  • However, they note it doesn’t go as dark/emotional as the franchise’s big tragic beats—opting for comedy instead.

• Accidental plot mechanics as comedy

  • They love how many key events happen through literal stumbling—finding bodies, walking into trouble, and botching/claiming credit while chaos unfolds.

Jokes, Reactions, and Recurring Bits

• They exchange punchy lines and keep the tone moving with comparisons, including jokes about slapstick and Gosling’s frantic comedic style.
• Jay and Mike also riff on Crow’s physicality and screen presence—mentioning him getting bigger/chunkier and “carrying it.”
• They enjoy the film’s refusal to overcomplicate: it’s not about getting fancy—it’s about having a good time.

Overall Conclusion / Rating

Both reviewers say the movie delivered what they wanted: an entertaining, comedy-first buddy-crime/action film with strong chemistry between Gosling and Crow.

They land on a rating of 8.5 (one reviewer says it’s his score too), praising the soundtrack/visual tone, plus the opening scene that signals the movie’s weird, wild energy.

Personalities Mentioned

• Mike
• Jay
• Shane Black (director, discussed)
• Ryan Gosling (actor/character discussed)
• Russell Crowe (actor/character discussed)