Val Kilmer's finest hour

[Kevin Roegele]

Kilmer was superb in Willow. He knows precisely the right tone for the movie. Heroic and funny, dashing yet clumsy, charasmatic but arrogant. He'll take out some bad guys with amazing swordplay, smile - and then fall over. If you can imagine Indiana Jones halfway between River Pheonix and Harrison Ford, that's Madmartigan. He also reminds me of Lucas' version of Han Solo in Return of the Jedi - overconfidence that leads to comedy.

All this despite Ron Howard's, "You guys keep going, I'm off for lunch"-style uninspired direction.

Kilmer's a pretty big star, but if he had continued with the Madmartigan screen persona I have no doubt he would have become top box office draw.

 

[Erundur]

Willow!!!!!!!

All hail the two little dudes

 

[War Party]

He was great in Real Genius.

 

[Danger Mouse]

I thought Top Secret! was simply fabulous.

 

[ToddIsDead]

For the few moments that he was in True Romance, he really nailed the Elvis persona. You never see his face, but you don't need to, it was all in the voice and body movements.

 

[Wolfwood]

I've always wanted to see Willow, but I've never gotten around to it. I'm gonna rent it tonight, if I can find it.

 

[The Chairman]

Willow is great, but Tombstone is by far Kilmer's best.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Willow is great, but Tombstone is by far Kilmer's best.

Yeah, Tombstone and Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang were probably his best movies.

 

[Danger Mouse]

^

 

[Dr. Fate]

Kilmer was superb in Willow. He knows precisely the right tone for the movie. Heroic and funny, dashing yet clumsy, charasmatic but arrogant. He'll take out some bad guys with amazing swordplay, smile - and then fall over. If you can imagine Indiana Jones halfway between River Pheonix and Harrison Ford, that's Madmartigan. He also reminds me of Lucas' version of Han Solo in Return of the Jedi - overconfidence that leads to comedy.

All this despite Ron Howard's, "You guys keep going, I'm off for lunch"-style uninspired direction.

Kilmer's a pretty big star, but if he had continued with the Madmartigan screen persona I have no doubt he would have become top box office draw.

Ah Willow, the first movie I ever saw in a movie theater. Great vintage Val Kilmer performance.

Of course, he was also very solid in "Top Secret!", "Thunderheart", "The Doors" (even though I didn't like that film at all - I do love the Doors music though), "Tombstone" arguably his best, and I don't care what anyone says, Kilmer was a very decent Batman/Bruce Wayne.

But to me, Kilmer will always be Madmartigan. Madmartigan shall always be my favorite Kilmer character.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

^

"Are you still...?"
"Gay? No, I'm knee-deep in *****, I just like the name."

t:

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

Val Kilmer MADE Tombstone, and was one of the most dynamic characters of recent cinema.

 

[Danger Mouse]

"Are you still...?"
"Gay? No, I'm knee-deep in *****, I just like the name."

t:

Kilmer and Downey Jr. make one helluva team.

 

[Sandman138]

No contest. Not only his best performance, but nobody could ever play Jim better than Kilmer did.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

I am a huge fan of the music of the Doors, but the movie doesn't represent them at all, IMO. I still dig the movie and look at it like the comic book adaption of their life.

 

[Clerk]

Two words: Real Genius

 

[War Party]

Two words: Real Genius

YES! I thought I was going to be the only one to say Real Genius. Brilliant movie. Chris Knight is the freakin' man. Look at my sig.

 

[The Riddler]

kilmer is pretty awesome.

 

[블라스]

Yeah, I think we can all agree on that

 

[Danger Mouse]

Too bad he doesn't get along well with most directors. Heard that he's difficult to work with.

 

[Hush]

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. That was so freaking amazing!

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Too bad he doesn't get along well with most directors. Heard that he's difficult to work with.

The only time I heard that was with Batman Forever--and I can't really blame him for that.

 

[Kaboom]

daisy if you do.

 

[The Riddler]

heat is always good.

 

[Farren]

If you can imagine Indiana Jones halfway between River Pheonix and Harrison Ford, that's Madmartigan.

You know, I think that captures him perfectly.

He was great in Willow - though I really think he nails it Tombstone and Heat.