Running Scared

Rating:
Summary: When we were twenty years younger....
Review: "Running Scared" is the typical cop buddy of the era, so common in the decade of Ronald Reagan. Billy Crystal and the late Gregory Hines share some amusing moments but the film can't seem to decide if it's an all-out comedy or a cop drama parody. In an early career role, Jimmy Smits plays the seedy drug kingpin that the two cops are trying to bring down.

The period music and fashion make this one a film for those waxing nostalgic, needing a reminder of why "we love the 80's".

Rating:
Summary: The BEST "buddy cop" movie!!
Review: A guilty pleasure; I probably watch "Running Scared" at least once a year. This is probably the best of the "buddy cop" genre of films and also the best of the "cops n' comedy" movies too - thanks to the onscreen chemistry between Hines and Crystal. (There's a reason why all the Amazon reviews mention this "chemistry" - because it's really there, and it's the backbone of the movie!) The comedy comes not so much from actual punchlines, but from the sense that these two guys are married to one another; razzing each other, sharing a high-five (or even a hug), and having a million inside jokes and rituals that only the other knows. Thanks to the "chemistry" between Crystal and Hines, we believe Constanzo and Hughes are longtime police partners and friends, with a love for each other and a history that goes back 15 years.

Most of the other reviews have covered all you need to know about the movie (one reviewer going so far as to repeat all the dialogue from a scene that could've been cut), so let me digress and just explain what the title means. Police partners Hughes and Costanzo are reckless... going it alone, never calling for backup, hot-dogging, breaking the rules, and generally risking life and limb for the job. But after tasting the good life and handing in their month's notice, the two partners start playing it safe. Suddenly they're running scared, just trying to get through the month without dying. They call for backup. They begin wearing bulletproof vests. "You're being careful," their Captain observes. "Careful gets you killed."

Other reviews compare this movie to "Lethal Weapon" and "Die Hard," but those films - while possessing some comedic elements - lean a little more towards the action side. "Beverly Hills Cop" is a better comparison, but perhaps "Running Scared" could best be compared to "Stakeout" with Richard Dreyfus and Emilio Estevez: both are underrated action-comedy "buddy cop" movies, and both rely heavily on the chemistry of their stars to work... and both DO work. "Scared" is probably the better of the two films, but after buying this one, I recommend you check out the other.

Rating:
Summary: The BEST "buddy cop" movie!!
Review: A guilty pleasure; I probably watch "Running Scared" at least once a year. This is probably the best of the "buddy cop" genre of films and also the best of the "cops n' comedy" movies too - thanks to the onscreen chemistry between Hines and Crystal. (There's a reason why all the Amazon reviews mention this "chemistry" - because it's really there, and it's the backbone of the movie!) The comedy comes not so much from actual punchlines, but from the sense that these two guys are married to one another; razzing each other, sharing a high-five (or even a hug), and having a million inside jokes and rituals that only the other knows. Thanks to the "chemistry" between Crystal and Hines, we believe Constanzo and Hughes are longtime police partners and friends, with a love for each other and a history that goes back 15 years.

Most of the other reviews have covered all you need to know about the movie (one reviewer going so far as to repeat all the dialogue from a scene that could've been cut), so let me digress and just explain what the title means. Police partners Hughes and Costanzo are reckless... going it alone, never calling for backup, hot-dogging, breaking the rules, and generally risking life and limb for the job. But after tasting the good life and handing in their month's notice, the two partners start playing it safe. Suddenly they're running scared, just trying to get through the month without dying. They call for backup. They begin wearing bulletproof vests. "You're being careful," their Captain observes. "Careful gets you killed."

Other reviews compare this movie to "Lethal Weapon" and "Die Hard," but those films - while possessing some comedic elements - lean a little more towards the action side. "Beverly Hills Cop" is a better comparison, but perhaps "Running Scared" could best be compared to "Stakeout" with Richard Dreyfus and Emilio Estevez: both are underrated action-comedy "buddy cop" movies, and both rely heavily on the chemistry of their stars to work... and both DO work. "Scared" is probably the better of the two films, but after buying this one, I recommend you check out the other.

Rating:
Summary: "Promise me we'll get robbed. A lot."
Review: An underrated gem of the action-comedy genre. Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines worked wonderful together and I think that they should have reteamed for another. The action is great, the comedy equally great, the soundtrack is nice ( one of the few decent soundtracks I can think of to come out of 1986. ) A better quote; "Pursuit has left the Interstate. Now we're on the El."

Rating:
Summary: The original cop buddy dramatic comedy
Review: Before the Lethal Weapon and Die Hard series, there was Running Scared. Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal turn in a wisecracking performance right up there with Mel Gibson, Danny Glover and Bruce Willis. Two of Chicago's top plain clothes detectives, Ray Hughes (Hines) and Danny Costanzo (Crystal) have been duking it out with the bad guys for a long time. Their latest nemesis is Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits, excellent in his movie debut), a drug dealer looking to become Chicago's "next Al Capone". As they pursue Julio, a situation gets out of hand and our boys have to be rescued by a couple of undercover cops, convincing their Captain that Hughes and Costanzo need a break. Next things you know, they're in a bar in Key West, trying to break out of their funk. As they walk out to the beach, there is a crowd of people staring out into the ocean. Danny asks a beautiful woman: "What's going on - did a ship sink or something?" "No.." she replies, "We're watching the sun set." Danny gives her an incredulous look : "The sun sets every day!" She smiles: "Yes - and we come down to watch it every day." Looking back at the ocean, he retorts: "Well, this had better be good!" As they skate, fish and sunbathe the days away (not to mention enjoying the company of a variety of gorgeous bikini-clad babes), they start to enjoy themselves and end up buying a bar ("We'll have wet T-Shirt nights for women over 60!") in preparation of retiring when they return to Chicago. (After seeing these scenes, I just had to visit Key West and have been going back each year ever since!) Relaxed and ready to retire to the good life, they return to Chicago and give their 30 days notice. Upon learning that Julio is continuing his rampage, they vow to put him away before they retire. Many chases (including one on the "el" with a priest and nun as suspect drug couriers), gunfights and general mayhem ensues, leading to the final showdown in the capitol building against incredible odds (after all, what fun is it if the heroes aren't massively overmatched?). I think this is one of the big underrated movies in that it's got lots of action and laughs from this wise-cracking duo. I'm thrilled that this is coming out on DVD as I've worn out two VHS tapes of this flick. If you liked Lethal Weapon and Die Hard, then buy this DVD. You'll enjoy it again and again!

Rating:
Summary: Best Buddy-Cop Film
Review: Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines have a great chemistry together in this film. The police brutality that is shown in this film is hilarious and way before it's time. Dialogue is funny. Though it is predictable at times, there are little turns that keep you interested. If you like a good action-comedy this is definitely your film.

Rating:
Summary: Running Scared
Review: For anyone who gets caught up in the day-to-day grind, this video is for you! It will take you away...and for anyone who has ever been to Key West, this movie will make you miss it even more! Very funny movie while re-learning the lesson on appreciating what we have and the people in our lives but in a style only Hines and Crystal can deliver. These two are hillarious together! Can't wait for the DVD release!!

Rating:
Summary: Fun!
Review: Forget originality, unpredictability, or logic. Sit back, relax and enjoy a very funny, action-packed comedy with undeniable chemistry between Crystal and Hines. This is what 48 HRS. wanted to be!

Rating:
Summary: Classic Comedy and Action but heads
Review: Gregory Hines, and Billy Crystal have the type of chemistry together that most actors wish for. A true classic action/comedy, the originator of the buddy genre. This is where Lethal Weapon, and Die Hard began. This is one of those movies that has become an under appreciated classic. Well worth the price, especially now that is is on DVD. Required viewing for anyone who truely likes the buddy cop movie.

Rating:
Summary: GOOD CHEMISTRY AND TIMING, BUT THE MOVIE IS HIT & MISS..
Review: If not for the crisp camaraderie between Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal as two hardboiled big city cops, this movie had very little going for it.

No catchy oneliners that one'd expect from Billy, just some occasionally amusing banter. No bravura performance ala Lethal Weapon or Tango & Cash, but instead doozy villians who operate like imbeciles and are generally clueless how to give the cops a run for their money.

But perhaps that was the point, the emphasis was meant to be on paperweight comedy rather than sensible action. If that's it, then it makes for a decent Friday night rental. It also has some neat visuals of Chicago.