Running Scared

1986
R
1h 47m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

16K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer1:28

Buddy Cop Dark Comedy Action Comedy Crime Thriller

Two street-wise Chicago cops have to shake off some rust after returning from a Key West vacation to pursue a drug dealer who nearly killed them in the past.Two street-wise Chicago cops have to shake off some rust after returning from a Key West vacation to pursue a drug dealer who nearly killed them in the past.Two street-wise Chicago cops have to shake off some rust after returning from a Key West vacation to pursue a drug dealer who nearly killed them in the past.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

16K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,449

1,508

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination total

Videos1

Trailer 1:28

Official Trailer

Photos115

+ 109

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
A sequel titled "Still Running" was planned and different scripts were written. But Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines did not think any of them were strong enough to warrant a sequel and turned them all down.

Goofs
In the opening scene, Ray and Danny are in a Chicago park at Christmastime. All of the trees in the park are loaded with green leaves - not something you'll ever see in Chicago in December.

Quotes
Danny Costanzo: [on car phone, in strange voice] Uh, hello? Can I talk to Detective Sigliano and Detective Montoya pleeeassse? My name is Pinky, is this the detective? Hi, I usually inform for Hughes and Costanzo but they don' pay me no mo'... Oh, no! Oh, I'm watching the new "Jeopardy!" and a man missed a Bible question because he did not know what Deuteronomy waaaas! Oh yeah, I'll help you. I want you to get Gonzales and show up Hughes and Costanzo, they don't pay me no mo' and I'm maaaddd! Oh, no! Ya dummy, the answer is ipswich clams! The man who can take you to Gonzales, his name is Adam Robertson. He's a high-fallutin' lawyer type who lives at 1358 Lake Shore Drive. Oh, Motha! Motha! Can I have some more petite marshmallows in my hot cocoa... Gotta go, Final Jeopardy's on!

Connections
Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Billy Crystal/Arnold Schwarzenegger/Michael Ammar (1986)

Soundtracks
Sweet Freedom
Performed by Michael McDonald
Written by Rod Temperton
Produced by Rod Temperton, Bruce Swedien and Richard Rudolph

User reviews87

Review

Featured review

Unoriginal but great fun

Wisecracking Chicago cops Ray and Danny tackle drug lord Julio Gonzales in a battle of wits across the city. Essentially the plot doesn't matter, this is just another buddy cop movie from the eighties. However it rises above others by being good fun throughout. It even takes a break from the action midway for the two to go and live on the beach and lay low for a while.

The main reason it is so much fun is the chemistry between Hines and Crystal. It's very easy to believe that they are partners of many years. Crystal is especially funny but really they both make it good. Even chase scenes and action scenes contain witty dialogue throughout. Smits is not a great villain but he carries the role well and the supporting cast are impressive with other future big names Dan Hedaya and Joe Pantoliano.

Overall it's not a classic - it's a buddy cop movie. But even now it still feels fresh and fun due to the partnership of Hines and Crystal. Watch it, like the characters, enjoy the action and laugh at the comedy - a wonderful example of how the buddy cop genre can be good when everything is just right.