Review of Killer's Kiss (1955) by Bobby B — 26 Jul 2010

Fascinating early Stanley Kubrick film. Aspects of Killer's Kiss are weak - the acting is stilted, the dialogue is corny, and the story, while it kept my interest, is nothing special - but the pure filmmaking creativity on display here is mindblowing. Kubrick already was a genius when it came to cinematography and surreal visuals. He amazingly captures images of New York, and the climatic fight in a mannequin warehouse is unforgettably unusual. So while it may be subpar in some areas, as a visual experience Killer's Kiss is brilliant - and at a brief 68 minutes it's pretty entertaining and easy to watch. If you're a Kubrick fan, definitely seek this one out.

My ratings of Kubrick films:

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey - 10.

2. The Shining - 10.

3. A Clockwork Orange - 10.

4. Eyes Wide Shut - 10.

5. Dr. Strangelove - 9.5.

6. Full Metal Jacket - 9.5.

7. Barry Lyndon - 8.

8. Killer's Kiss - 6.