Shane Black is well known for his unique style and way with words, but has also built up a reputation for trying to include Christmas into many of his films. The festive season is probably the best time of year to take a look at his work therefore.
Black has been involved with countless projects over the years. While more recent offerings have released to a mixed reception, the actor, director, writer and producer has certainly built up a robust career.
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) 6.7
The Lethal Weapon franchise is perhaps one of the most well celebrated buddy cop comedy and action drama series that has ever been created. Shane Black is a huge part of that success over the years.
While the third instalment is perhaps the least well received of the series, it still carries with it a lot of that trademark humor and great action sequences. Plus the chemistry of the two leads is as present as it ever has been.
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) 6.7
The fourth instalment of the franchise is considered a little bit of a return for the eighties franchise and is actually very well regarded. While Shane Black did not return once again to pen the script, it still managed to deliver in every way.
The film was actually given a lot of direction from Black though and they took huge inspiration from previous scripts in the series he had worked on. He is still given credit on the film, much like with the third movie of the series.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) 6.8
Unlike the previous two entries where Black was heavily influential on the overall story, The Long Kiss Goodnight saw him pick up the pen and actually create the script from scratch himself. It's a a great piece of 90s filmmaking.
With Samuel L Jackson helping Geena Davis restore the memories she has lost, this action packed adventure has an interesting premise and delivers on the action. Shane Black has certainly gone back to his roots with this thriller.
The Last Boy Scout (1991) 7.0
A Bruce Willis and Damon Wayons picture, where Shane Black has both a story and screenplay credit on the film. It's another action classic, although perhaps one of the most underrated from his career.
With Willis playing a private detective, he starts to investigate why a key witness was murdered; the partner of Wayons' character. It's tense, full of mystery and as action packed as it is funny. This is Black at his finest when it comes to writing without directing.
The Monster Squad (1987) 7.1
While the 21st century has seen a lot of talk about the Dark Universe of monsters that Universal is consistently trying to create, Shane Black got there a little bit before with his writer's credit on The Monster Squad.
Writing alongside the director Fred Dekker, this movie brought together a number of famous monsters and had them go on a wacky, comedy, horror and fantasy adventure unlike anything else on screen.
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) 7.2
The second instalment of the Lethal Weapon series is certainly leagues above its sequels. Shane Black gets a story credit here, after his fantastic work on the original film of the franchise that created a huge ongoing series.
The sequel sees this pair on the hunt for South African politicians who use their immunity to cause international chaos thanks to their criminal enterprises. It's great to see the pair back and in the middle of the action.
Iron Man 3 (2013) 7.2
Iron Man 3 has its flaws but has also recently been appreciated again for the risks that the film took, as well as the way it expanded on Tony Stark's obsession with the Iron Man armor itself. It's an interesting addition to the MCU.
Shane Black worked on both the story and on directing the movie, something fans have seen the benefits of thanks to its unique style and of course the fact that the movie is actually set at Christmas!
The Nice Guys (2016) 7.4
The Nice Guys is really some of Ryan Gosling's and Russell Crowe's best work. With Shane Black working on the story and directing once again, this thriller mystery is one of his funniest and most bizarre.
Revisiting the private detective formula, this is pushed to its extreme when a number of deaths, linked to a huge corporation, starts creating some questions for this misfit duo, who must now somehow unravel the mystery.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) 7.5
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a film that helped to relaunch Robert Downey Jr's career and eventually the movie that would then land Shane Black with his own role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Black is on directing duties again here.
As one of his most well renowned films and the best movie that Shane Black has been at the helm of, this buddy comedy and drama combines all the elements of a Shane Black move; from the action, to the unfolding mystery and killer dialogue.
Lethal Weapon (1987) 7.6
The Lethal Weapon franchise first kicked off with the original, that saw the creative mind of Shane Black form a movie that not only was visually stunning, but was equal parts thrilling and funny.
This is perhaps the project that Shane Black is most well known for and one that really pushed his career forward. It's the best of his writing work and is also his top-rated movie altogether.