Val Edward Kilmer has been a Hollywood mainstay since the late 80s. With over 80 movies to his credit, the 54 year old actor hasn’t been apart of a blockbuster movie franchise or even a career defining role, yet he continues to shine on the silver screen. While we look forward to what he has to offer in the future, in particular playing Mark Twain in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, here is our list for the top Val Kilmer movies.
Tombstone
If there is one movie that almost everyone can agree rocked, it is Tombstone. Even if you don’t like westerns, or you hate any sort of autobiographical stuff, you probably enjoy Tombstone. Set back when the west was wild, the ensemble cast takes the legend of Wyatt Earp and his Vendetta Ride from the big screen to legendary movie status.
Kilmer of course plays Doc Holliday, possibly his most memorable role ever. The real life man was a dentist, a gambler, and some would say an outlaw; Kilmer did a great job of portraying him as all of these. Kilmer drops so many memorable lines in this movie, it’s hard to narrow down which one is the greatest. I’d personally have to go with, “I’m your huckleberry.” Looking at this quote you may be thinking, what? why is this even remotely a cool thing he said? Well, he mutters this to the movie’s antagonist Ringo, just before she shoots him in the head.
Doc Holliday was known to be a bit of a son of a bitch, and he had garnered a reputation for robbery and various other lawlessness. Yet we know that he rode with Earp on his Vendetta ride and was at some point helping Earp while he was a lawman in Tombstone. Kilmer, like many of his roles, did a great job of portraying all the various aspects of Doc. From the gambler, who was so good he suggested to the losers that they “Just have a spelling contest” Or the Ladies man who said, “Why, Kate, you’re not wearing a bustle. How lewd.” with a wink. In the end though, it was his friendship with Earp and his loyalty to his friend that made him memorable. As he laid in his bed dying, he encouraged his one true friend to go find the love of his life. Awesome Job Mr. Kilmer.
Heat
HELL YES. If you have never seen Heat, then quickly download or buy a copy. Most people remember Pacino and Deniro being huge bad-asses in this movie, but Kilmer was equally badass. Following the story of a “crew” of guys who pull heists and the cop that is chasing them; this movie is action packed 90s awesomeness.
From the moment the movie starts till the credits roll, there is basically non-stop action and fantastic acting. Kilmer plays a man with demons. He loves his wife more than anything, but is a terrible husband. He can’t hold down a job, except for the illegal kind. If i’m not mistaken he is a bit of a booser in this one. Yet when his boss says go, the team jumps into action to rob like crazy.
Everyone brings their A-game to filming, and what comes out is one amazing film. From the heists themselves, the show off with the police, to the ambush in the parking lot it’s an adrenaline ride like no other. Pacino and Deniro kill it in this movie. Their showdown is fabled legend, but without Kilmer rocking some serious support, i’m not sure the movie would have done as well.
Real Genius
If you like funny movies that take place in the 80s, then look no further! Real Genius follows the shenanigans of a new freshman and his older, zany roommate at a prestigious college. Kilmer plays the older roommate, who for most of the movie is an aloof character, who uses his intellect and craftiness to plan crazy parties, use liquid nitrogen to get out of paying for coffee, but ultimately uses science to grow up and out smart the movie’s Antagonist.
There’s a new kid at school and he’s only 15 or something, but he’s so smart that he is brought on board to make sure that the schools defining laser program continues on schedule. But he’s so young that he isn’t quite ready for college, is given shit by his older contemporaries, and is unsure how to deal with girls. Luckily Kilmer’s character is there to lend a hand!
Kilmer helps this kid grow up, learn to prank, and get the girl of his dreams! All the while they find out the sinister motive behind all of their hard work, and do what they can to make sure their technology doesn’t fall into the wrong hands! Hilarious 80’s action!
The Real McCoy
This movie too is about a bank robbery, but violent kind. While heat was full of action and guys being badasses, this movie is about planning the perfect heist and some funny shenanigans.
Kilmer is a guy who is hired to join the crew robbing the bank. The title, Real McCoy, refers to the McCoy character, a woman who used to rob banks but was caught and sent to prison. Now that she is out, she just wants to put her life back on track, but is black mailed into robbing this one last bank. Kilmer’s character is fascinated by McCoy and decides to help her.
Kilmer drives a sweet car, being the get away driver, and has some pretty funny lines. He might have a funny hair style too. The movie is a great mix of action, comedy, and Val Kilmer greatness.
Spartan
I get a lot of shit for liking this movie, but i’m not phased by it. Spartan is an action packed thriller about a kidnapped girl and the lengths people will go to return her. Unlike some movies, this one doesn’t spell everything out for you. The audience has roughly the same information that the characters have, as they try to find this girl and unravel the web of lies surrounding her disappearance. Kilmer’s character is cryptic, and doesn’t readily share information. He is a pro who knows that there are no easy answers in life.
Kilmer plays a man with skills. We first meet him training a group of military people, having them run through the jungle and fight to become part of an elite squad. Kilmer’s character is a man of few words, but we see he has the respect of both his peers and his trainees. When a girl is kidnapped, they need the best; which is Kilmer. As the movie progresses we wade through the murky world of human trafficking, prison escapees, and betrayal.
Kilmer rocks this role. We don’t ever get to hear about his past, and at the end of the movie we are unsure of his future. We do know that he is a highly trained operative who is no stranger to espionage. While he says little and appears uncaring, we see throughout the movie that he does have a heart.
While not a big budget movie, Spartan offers a great ensemble (including Kilmer, Ed O’Neill, and William H Mac), a new twist to the action genre, and an opportunity to make fun of your friend who enjoys the movie.
Did you really just post an article about Val Kilmer and make no mention of willow, Batman or Top Gun? I can understand investing time to discuss his less popular roles, but to make no mention of his most iconic roles is a travesty. Otherwise not bad Schwinn.