Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Pluskylang Great Film overall

Onlinewsma Absolutely Brilliant!

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

ElTotor I like Billy Cristal and I discovered Gregory Hines in this movie, he is a great actor. I also usually love Buddy movies that's why I was terribly disappointed by this one. First of all, the plot starts really late, around 25 minutes of the film, when we learn that the body in the street was a cop's one. Before that, we just knew who will be the bad guy, not really how and why. So the first part, even with funny moments, is kind of plot less and a bit boring. Then, we are finally interested in the plot, the heroes scr*w it on the boat with two other undercover cops (who aim like sh*t)and then we lost another 10 minutes of the movie with a plot less 80's montage + scene about heroes forced holidays just to learn they decide to quit (maybe it was still original at this date) and to buy a bar (that will never be a real dilemma for them, we Spectator already know they won't really quit and it doesn't seem to be really important to them either). So, back to the action now, many script problems will occurs: - Bad guy or antagonistic forces are not enough dangerous or are well portrayed. we never really care about them, we never feel danger for the Buddy cops so we never really empathized. - Love story is totally cliché except the one with Hines that is funny. - Investigation and cocaine story is poor. - Action scenes are really poor and danger or dilemmas never really present so we're not really involved in the movie as the way they succeed in danger is not really rewarding most of the time (what was the rope scene at the end by the way???!!! Why did he climb just for that??!!) - Lot of strange things like fake snow or the way they throw bullets in the car, clearly aiming for the head, while smiling. Of course, there are nice jokes here and there, the movie is full of good will and it is a real positive movie but it doesn't make a good movie. And I'm the first to be sorry for that as I enjoy watching Buddy movies. 5 out of 10 (but it could even deserve less than the average note).

FlashCallahan 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.

ManBehindTheMask63 "Running Scared" was released one year before "Lethal Weapon". Followed by "Tango & Cash", "Last Boy Scout", and "Showdown In Little Tokyo". "Running Scared" seems to be a forgotten 80's classic. Not many people mention it when discussing great buddy-cop films. But they should.The chemistry between Crystal and Hines is magical. Both actors bring a lot to the table and their comic timing is perfect. They make a great duo and it's a shame a sequel never followed. This film is ripe for rediscovery. Some great actors pop up in supporting roles as well. If you dig any of the buddy-cop movies that followed it, watch this film. Good action, good laughs, great movie.

jeremy3 This is a really silly movie, but I don't think that I would have done it any other way. The scene in the Florida Keys is right out of a teenage fantasy. No one picks up beautiful women that easily. No one goes around acting beyond the law. And yet, maybe that was a point to this film. At times, Billy Crystal is obnoxious. For example, who is imitating while speaking on the phone in the drug dealer's car? It's annoying. Yet, you see a full range of Billy Crystal. Both Hines and Crystal act as if there is no camera rolling. The film is just fun. They are very laid back and machoistic. And this somehow makes this film into a memorable film. The scenes are ridiculous. You can't drive a car on the el tracks like they do, but this is a film. Films can be lots of implausible fun.The supporting case is very dedicated to portray the decadence and bleakness of cops versus drug dealers. Joe Pantoliano is a nerd, but very elusive. He knows how to pretend to be a pushover, but beneath that is great slyness. Jimmy Smits is convincing as a single-minded drug dealer. Dan Hedaya is great as an authoritarian, yet diplomatic precinct captain. The two rookie cops are funny as arrogant and self-serving who have the nerve to think they are better than veteran cops. All these supporting characters are very good at showing how cops never believe that they have accomplished enough in their job to gain respect. This is displayed whenever the Hines and Crystal characters show up at a crime scene. Although recognized, the beat cops clearly look down upon undercover cops. There is another big reason I like this film. Many of the actors speak in a visibly New York Italian lingo, rather than Chicago Italian lingo. Still, the actors appear to want to showcase Chicago. It is the bleakest time of the year - probably January or February. It is grey. It is the city I knew and loved during the 80s. It was in-between the decline of the city during the 60s and 70s and the revival of the city during the 90s. It is Chicago in the 80s that I remember so well. That's why I recommend this film. It brings back memories of Chicago was like 20 years ago.