Director Shane Black has written some of the best action comedy scripts around and his return to directing with Iron Man 3 pretty much kicked him right back into the big time where he belongs. Now he is bringing his signature style both writing and directing with his latest film The Nice Guys starring Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Keith David, Matt Bomer, Kim Bassinger, and Gil Gerard, but could it be yet another great addition to his already impressive resume or will it not be a case worth taking?

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The Nice Guys follows a down-on-his-luck private eye Holland March and hired enforcer Jackson Healy who must work together to solve the case of a missing girl and the seemingly unrelated death of a porn star in 1970s Los Angeles. During their investigation, they uncover a shocking conspiracy that reaches up to the highest circles of power. It’s been a while since we have gotten a really good film noir style buddy comedy, but thankfully Black has delivered just that with a vengeance. The decision to make this film set in the 70s really takes the already impressive cast and writing to the next level of fun. The story isn’t overly complicated, but instead relies on great dialogue and performances to help it to unfold and come together as a great overall film. Crowe is perfectly cast here bringing a swagger and tough guy mentality while still being a character that has some layers. Gosling is cast out of his usual type playing the more bumbling role to perfection but much like Crowe’s character has other layers to him. These guys have some of the best chemistry on screen seen in sometime with the best moments of the film being when they are exchanging quips at each other or just arguing about whatever situation they are involved in. There are so many great moments in this movie it is near impossible to see the perfection in its execution. Black has crafted a perfect buddy action pic that doesn’t rely on big action set pieces, while there are a few here, but instead the characters and the story to move it forward. There are plenty of hilarious laugh out loud moments blended with the action and series tone of the story they are swimming through that helps it work for a broader audience.

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In the end this is easily one of the best and most entertaining films to come out in a while and once again proves that Black is the real deal and will hopefully continue to bring his unique and original style to the big screen for years to come. The ending to the film does leave it open to the option of giving us more time with these great characters while still capping off the current story. It would be great to see Crowe and Gosling team up once again in the future for another case, but not at the risk of tarnishing the perfection of this one. In addition to this great film this release also includes featurettes that take you on the making of the film and some other fun.

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Team up and get on the case when The Nice Guys available now on Digital HD and Blu-ray and DVD on August 23rd from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.