Val

We’re already familiar with Val Kilmer’s work in “Top Gun,” “The Doors,” “Tombstone,” “Batman Forever,” “Heat” & “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” but do you know him offscreen? For the first time, the actor shares us movie goers personal videos in a documentary film titled, “Val.”

Val is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. It received positive reviews from critics. Like Soleil Moon Frye’s documentary “Kid 90,” Val Kilmer’s own documentary is about reflecting back on his life and career filming a camera everywhere he went at home or on a movie set.

Val is slated to appear in the highly anticipated “Top Gun: Maverick” reuniting with one of my favorite actors, Tom Cruise. Before the overdue sequel comes out, I wanna share my thoughts on Val’s life and career as told on his personal video cameras.

Keep in mind fellas, this particular review is a short one, due to the fact it’s definitely not a scripted film worth a lot of coverage. So bear with me. This is just a documentary focusing on an actor. Personally, I believe a documentary speaks for itself.

Positive & Negative Elements

Positive: Val shot all the recorded footage by himself. He also served as a producer.

The documentary explores Val’s ups and downs as an actor, family man, poet and painter while adjusting to the aftermath of his throat surgery leaving him with a raspy voice.

We also get to see Val interact with his kids Mercedes & Jack.

Val’s son Jack provides voiceover for his father’s written notes. He has an uncanny mellow voice like his dad.

I had no idea Val went through heck in his life and battle with throat cancer. If you have a sensitive side, you’re gonna feel bad for the poor man. At least he’s feeling ok.

You thought Soleil Moon Frye is the first person to film herself with a camera before social media was a thing? Val is arguably the first to carry a camera containing a bunch of personal recordings since childhood.

As shown in his videos, Val worked with Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, Anthony Edwards, Kelly McGills, Tony Scott (Ridley Scott’s late brother) Kurt Russell, David Thewlis & Marlon Brando.

Val’s personal heroes are Marlon Brando & Mark Twain. He worked with Marlon in the disastrous stinker “The Island Of Dr. Moreau” and starred in a one man play as Mark Twain.

I never got bored watching the documentary. It kept me intrigued.

Negative: No issues spotted. I’m giving Val an Extra Point allowing me to get to know him not as an actor, but a human being.

The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!

Val Kilmer’s documentary about his life and career is fascinating as we see him more than just as an actor. If you have no plans, I strongly recommend this gem. As of August 2021, this is my favorite documentary of the year besides Kid 90. I know it’s early to say, but I think Val is Oscar worthy for “Best Documentary Feature.” If you’re curious to watch Mr. Kilmer’s filmography, his best works are The Doors, Tombstone, Heat & Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.