Running Scared

If an overachieving film school student gets assigned to make a 1980s-style “buddy buddy” police film, the result would in most likelihood resemble Running Scared, 1986 action comedy directed by Peter Hyams. Protagonist, played by Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal, are Ray Hughes and Gregory Constanzo, two police detectives who use ingenious and unorthodox methods to deal with drug dealers, muggers and similar criminals on the mean streets of Chicago. One of their targets is petty gangster Snake (played by Joe Pantoliano). They arrest him in order to set the trap for his boss Julio Gonzalez (played by Jimmy Smits), ambitious mobster who wants to become first Latino “godfather” of Chicago and has purchased huge amounts of automatic weapons for that. The plan goes terribly wrong with Hughes and Constanzo surviving the mayhem only thanks to two members of Gonzalez’ organisation actually being infiltrated undercover detectives Frank Sigliano (played by Steven Bauer) and Tony Montoya (played by Jonathan Gries). Following such humiliating fiasco, Captain Logan (played by Dan Hedaya) orders them to take vacation. After having a wonderful time in warm and sunny Key West, Hughes and Constanzo return to cold and snowy Chicago determined to retire from police and instead open a bar in Florida. Their plan will, however, have to wait because again they cross paths of Gonzalez and confiscate his major drug shipment. Gonzalez reacts by kidnapping Constanzo’s ex wife Anne (played by Darlanne Fleugel) and demanding drugs back.

Director Peter Hyams was at the time best known for science fiction spectacles (including classic Outland) and he explained his this film as his “return to Earth”. Hyams had been living in Chicago and his familiarity and fondness for the city can be sensed in a way he captures both grittiness of its streets and impressive architecture, especially in the final showdown scene that takes place in iconic Illinois State Building. Like in all his films, Hyams have also worked on cinematography and Running Scared for the most part looks great. Unfortunately, his efforts are ruined by miscasting of Crytal and Hines, as well as uninspired script by Gary DeVore. Hines, at the time best known as dancer, and Crytal, best known as comedian, probably thought that the role of policemen in action comedy would be good opportunity to broaden their range. It could have worked if they appeared separately, but together they lack chemistry and their character are simply too much alike. “Straight man” part of “buddy buddy” formula is absent and DeVore’s script utilises too much cliches, making character played by tall and imposing Jimmy Smits one-dimensional and forgettable. Same can be said for Darlanne Fleugel whose presence in the film makes the plot and its resolution quite predictable. Even such imposing character actor like Steven Bauer is simply unnoticeable in the role of bearded police detective. Always dependable Joe Pantoliano is the best part of the cast, but his character disappears too early. There are some impressive action scenes, but they can rise this film over mediocrity. Although Running Scared had decent results at the box office, both Hines and Crystal refused to take part in a possible sequel. Considering their later careers, that was the right decision with which today’s audience is likely to agree.

RATING: 4/10 (++)

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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/15698-running-scared Critic: AA