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Running Scared
1986 107 min United States of America R 16+
★6.4
Comedy, Crime, Thriller, Action
Director: Peter Hyams
Trailers
Description
Two street-wise Chicago cops have to shake off some rust after returning from a Key West vacation to pursue a drug dealer that nearly killed them in the past.
US Gross:
$38.5M
Worldwide:
$38.5M
Starring
Gregory Hines
Actor
Billy Crystal
Actor
Steven Bauer
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Original Song
Key opinion
Running Scared is a quintessential 80s buddy-cop action film that relies heavily on the screen presence of its leads. While viewers generally appreciate the film's nostalgic tone and witty banter, opinions diverge regarding the depth of the characters and the effectiveness of the central partnership.
| Originality | The film effectively captures a quintessential 1980s aesthetic, featuring a energetic soundtrack and classic genre tropes. | |
| Screenplay | The secondary characters are consistently criticized for being flat, underwritten, and lacking meaningful development. | |
| Acting | Billy Crystal's comedic delivery provides the film's most memorable moments, though his dominance frequently overshadows his co-star. | |
| Acting | The chemistry between Crystal and Gregory Hines is frequently cited as the primary driver of the movie's watchability, despite debates over the balance of their performances. | |
| Screenplay | The plot is polarizing; some find it a fun, brisk example of standard genre fare, while others view it as a disjointed series of events with little coherent narrative structure. |