The Nice Guys is one of those movies that Film Twitter wanted to force everyone into liking, but turned out to be decent. Shane Black made his name writing snappy buddy-cop flicks that balanced razor-sharp banter with wry cynicism, a hallmark that reached new heights in 2005’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. His 2016 film, The Nice Guys, is a spiritual successor to that earlier cult favorite, a similarly offbeat noir-tinged comedy that merges breakneck wisecracks with a ‘70s Los Angeles setting awash in smog, neon, and bottom-feeding hustlers.

What is The Nice Guys?

The Nice Guys is set in 1977 Los Angeles, a city of crumbling illusions and relentless sunbaked decay. Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) is an enforcer-for-hire, tough and stoic, who gets paid to break kneecaps for the right price. Meanwhile, Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is a bumbling private eye with a penchant for drink and questionable investigative ethics.

Their paths cross while searching for a missing young woman named Amelia (Margaret Qualley), and though initially at odds, they soon form a reluctant partnership when it becomes clear there is more to Amelia’s disappearance than meets the eye. The investigation leads them into a tangle of porn producers, shady government figures, and auto industry conspiracies, culminating in a conspiracy-laden final act that’s equal parts farce and slickly choreographed action.

Rather than focusing on a tightly wound plot, Shane Black (co-writing with Anthony Bagarozzi) deploys the detective story as a springboard for comedic interplay and surprising character beats. What we get is a freewheeling neo-noir that doubles as a commentary on the decaying moral landscape of the late 1970s, its cynical worldview offset by a sweet, off-kilter optimism courtesy of March’s teenage daughter, Holly (Angourie Rice). When it all clicks, the film is gleefully irreverent and chaotic, reminding viewers of the old-fashioned buddy comedies that used to be a Hollywood staple.

Gosling is funny

The comedic success of The Nice Guys hinges on its two leads, and the results are nothing short of inspired. Crowe, sporting a burly frame and permanent scowl, is Jackson Healy, a no-nonsense tough guy grown weary of the city’s corruption. Beneath the gruff exterior, Healy is quietly decent, gradually realizing he wants more from life than just cracking heads. Crowe plays the role with a subtle comedic dryness, letting deadpan line deliveries land as effectively as any punch.

Meanwhile, Gosling subverts his usual cool-guy persona by delivering a vanity-free comedic turn as Holland March. March is a hapless mess: prone to drunken pratfalls, squealing in panic, and bungling even the simplest tasks. Yet Gosling never reduces him to a mere caricature. Under the clumsy buffoonery lies a broken widower devoted to his daughter, shaped by regrets and minor self-loathing. The comedic synergy between Gosling’s offbeat physical humor and Crowe’s stoic presence makes for a dynamic reminiscent of vintage buddy pictures—think a sardonic spin on Laurel and Hardy, plus some lethal firearms and expletives.

Holly kills in this!

If Crowe and Gosling anchor the comedic vibe, Angourie Rice steals her share of scenes as Holly, March’s resourceful teenage daughter who proves to be a more competent investigator than her father. Her fierce intelligence and moral clarity stand out in a film brimming with cynicism, offering emotional grounding that prevents the story from drowning in nihilism.

The supporting ensemble brims with oddballs, from Matt Bomer’s chilling John-Boy cameo to Keith David’s bored assassin. Kim Basinger appears in a smaller but pivotal role as a government official with questionable motives. Though each cameo is fleeting, they collectively populate The Nice Guys’ seedy underbelly with the precise measure of flamboyant color or looming menace. The film’s comedic big bad, however, is not so much a single villain as the entire labyrinthine system of porn producers, crooked politicians, and hired goons who swirl around the L.A. nightlife.

Yep, it’s a Shane Black movie

True to Shane Black tradition, The Nice Guys filters an old-school detective premise through wisecracking dialogue and bizarre comedic set pieces. The movie embraces the era’s neon glow, scuzzy pool parties, and disco stylings, saturating the frames with burnt oranges and deep blues that accentuate the moral murk of 1970s Los Angeles. From a barbershop scuffle to a climactic chase involving a giant rotating car show stand, the set pieces combine broad comedic shtick with a dash of violence.

But for all its bombast, the film hides a surprising earnestness. The comedic bickering between Healy and March, though spiked with cynicism, leads to genuine camaraderie as they unravel the twisted plot. Scenes of Holly’s interventions add a warm dimension, reminding the hapless older men that decency and empathy matter even when the city’s moral fabric seems hopelessly frayed.

Let’s talk about that 4K UHD release

Warner Bros.’ 4K Ultra HD disc showcases The Nice Guys with a robust HDR grade that brings out the vivid color palette. Daytime exteriors glisten with the haze of L.A.’s smoggy sunshine, and nighttime sequences pop with neon signage and flickering building lights, reminiscent of classic noir updated for a modern comedic spin.

The refined detail is noticeable in the production design—like the worn texture of March’s stained suits and the crumpled edges of pinned-up case files. Every comedic bruise or blood spatter stands out with new clarity, giving the film’s screwball violence an added punch.

Equally impressive is the DTS-HD 5.1 audio track. Black’s comedic set pieces frequently revolve around sudden gunshots, squealing tires, or body-impact punches, all of which ring out with crisp directional placement. Dialogue never gets lost, even when characters trade overlapping quips in chaotic scenes. The film’s retro-flavored soundtrack—funk-laced horns and disco beats—resonates with pleasing fullness, capturing the era’s boisterous musical vibe.

The special features are featurettes. All of those seemingly being ports over from the Blu-ray. It’s a great movie, looks amazing in 4K UHD. Give it a shot.

The Nice Guys is now available to buy on 4K UHD at MovieZyng