Running Scared (1986)

Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, Darlanne Fluegel, Dan Hedaya, Joe Pantoliano and Jimmy Smits star in this 1986 action-comedy. This takes place in Chicago, Illinois during Christmas time where we meet wise-cracking cops, Ray Hughes (Hines) and Danny Costanzo (Crystal). They try to pursue drug-dealer, Julio Gonzales (Smits) and are almost killed. They're forced by their Captain (Hedaya) to take a vacation and go to Key West, Florida where they think about retirement, but decide to wait to catch Gonzales. Fluegel (To Live and Die in L.A.) plays Danny's ex-wife, Anna and Pantoliano (The Goonies) plays Snake, a thug who deals with Gonzales. This is a great 80's flick, Crystal and the late, Hines were great together and I also like Michael McDonald's song, "Sweet Freedom." If you enjoy buddy-cop flicks, definitely check this out.

Danny and Ray are two street wise cops in Chicago. When they are almost killed on a case, they are forced to take a vacation by their captain.Key West offers a substantial change over frozen Chicago. They decide to quit and open a bar in Key West.Upon returning, they find that Julio, the drug dealer who nearly killed them has made bail and is trying to complete a giant drug deal.They decide to complete their case against Julio before quitting, but then begin being careful.Their effectiveness drops as they find they can't operate the way they did before if they don't have the edge of a long time commitment....This is another one of those movies that disappeared without a trace, and has never really popped up on TV for nearly fifteen years.It's not the best buddy cop movie of the eighties by far (thats Lethal Weapon), but it's still fun movie while it lasts.Crystal and Hines are the best of friends and this is clear because Crystal always walks into Hines' apartment when he's getting down and dirty with the ladies.They laugh and swear and get into scrapes, and take a vacation. This is a strange scene, as it just shows them as a pair of awful awful people, and the worst thing about it is the fact that Crystal is all oiled up and flexing his muscles.And then it's back to basics, Jimmy Smits is back on the street, and the guys must get him before the end of the film.We are then treated to a coupe of car chases, with a few one liners and an impressive final set piece.It's a shame i've seen this film quite a while after it was made, because I have seen so many buddy cop movies since and they have been a lot more slickly made and are a little more entertaining.That said, it's choc full of eighties cheese and Crystal and Hines are great together.

If the multi-hyphenated 80s buddy-cop action-comedy Running Scared is to be believed being a lowly paid cop charged with keeping the peace in a scungy, rundown area is one of the biggest laughs possible. A shootout with drug dealers is simply an opportunity for frivolity and mirth, and a heavily armed criminal hell bent on ending your existence is merely a chance to crack wise and enjoy each others company.Even a family funeral is a non-stop chucklefest… Danny (Billy Crystal) and Ray (Gregory Hines) are the opposite of the usual 'mismatched' partners (think Mel and Danny, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, Arnie and anybody), they are so very 'matched' that they don't chat as much as riff. They're so close they even 'clink' donuts.But all good things must (nearly) end, so after a career mis-step the duo are forced into vacation (I told you nearly being killed every day is fun, they don't want to leave!), and they head South from the snowy, drab ghettos to sunny Miami beach.A few days, several margaritas and some scantily clad beach babes later and Danny and Ray decide that perhaps booze filled sex-fests might just trump sludge-covered death traps, and they decide to retire from the force and buy a bar in Miami.But first they decide to do the right thing and head back from vacation to hand in their notice personally, giving them one last chance at the local drug kingpin – and their nemesis – Gonzales (Jimmy Smits). Come on they couldn't retire without taking down Gonzalez could they? Running Scared is lighter than Paris Hilton's head, and some of the jokes are as well worn as the contents of her pants. But that aside Crystal and Hines barely pause for breath between japes, never letting up regardless of their circumstance.The film definitely emphasises the 'action' in action-comedy, but that said the shootouts and chases heat up in the latter stages of the film. Running Scared also boasts a few classic lines and a couple of memorable images in between the yuk-yuks. While it isn't an all-time classic as a film, it must have made for a good 2 minute trailer in the late 80s.Final Rating – 6 / 10. A decent, albeit forgettable buddy-cop effort with wall to wall jokes that fly by alongside the bullets aimed at the indefatigable ever cheery duo.

Very funny cop/buddy movie that owes a lot to the inspired teaming of Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal. The script may not be much, but it has enough in it to keep the audience interested, while director Peter Hyams keeps the action and, more importantly, the comedy, rolling at a good pace. For it is the comedy that makes this picture.Hines and Crystal are in great form. They play off each other wonderfully, and their comic timing is perfect as they deliver some hilarious lines. Situation after situation will have you in stitches in this film. Writers Gary De Vore and Jimmy Huston certainly have a sharp sense of humour.Tuesday, July 7, 1992 - Video