Somehow, this flick came in under the radar and I hadn't even heard of it when I rented it, mostly because I like Val Kilmer, an actor I don't think has gotten his due. When it ended, I just sat there and thought, "What a cool movie."

Not a great movie. Not an uplifting movie. Not a message movie.

Just a really cool neo-noir with some snarky humor.

Danny is seeking redemption. He feels some responsibility for the murder of his wife. He's fallen into the world of meth-using tweakers. He's on the hunt for whoever killed his wife. Two nasty cops follow him around. Then, he gets mixed up with some really dangerous people. (Was Pooh Bear's ranch modeled on the Spahn Ranch where Manson hung out?)

The tension just builds until an awesomely violent climax and a couple of startling revelations.

Along the way, we are treated to some funny set pieces, including the meth-documentary prologue and the tweakers' "hospital plot." I almost fell on the floor laughing when I saw the pigeons in the little car with their little pink pillbox hats. (You have to see this to understand.)

Things are tied up a bit too neatly at the end and I could have done without the badger scene. (Yikes!)

Definitely not for the kiddies, but if you like revenge melodramas with an edge, check out The Salton Sea.