Running Scared (2006)

Director: Wayne Kramer

Writer: Wayne Kramer (Screenplay)

Starring: Paul Walker, Cameron Bright, Vera Farmiga, Hazz Palminteri, Karel Roden, Johnny Messner, Ivana Milicevic, Alex Neuberger

 

Plot: After a drug-op gone bad, Joey Gazelle is put in charge of disposing the gun that shot a dirty cop. But things goes wrong for Joey after the neighbour kid stole the gun and used it to shoot his abusive father. Now Joey has to find the kid and the gun before the police and the mob find them first.

 

Verdict: Fowl Mouthed Thriller

 

Story: With a good thriller with plenty of twists and turns the really keeps the tory flowing. The big problem with the story is yes the story is good but the dialogue is terrible with swearing just for the sake of it. The whole story is set over 18hours and this keeps everything tightly connected and the unexpected twists really do surprise. As you know the ending from the opening scene we are left kind of empty feeling as there is no risk at all to our hero as we know they make it through the night. It is the support characters that you have to wait and see what happens too.  The reality of this film is that it could have been brilliant but the lack of likeable characters and nonstop swearing instead of clever lines costs it big time. (7/10)

 

Actor Review

 

Paul Walker: Joey the low ranking thug, who has been keeping evidence in case he needs it, but when one of the guns is used in a shooting he spends the night tracking it down and meeting a full range of colour mobsters and criminals. Good performance from Paul but the level of performance is effect by the poor script. (7/10)

 

Cameron Bright: Oleg the young boy who has used the gun and goes on the run meeting all sorts of criminals while he tries to hide. Good performance in the role which needed to play emotionless throughout. (7/10)

Vera Farmiga: Teresa Joey’s wife who is trying to raise their son not be in the life of crime that his father is in. she has plenty of fight in her and will defend everyone. Good performance showing that she can play a range of characters. (7/10)

 

Chazz Palminteri: Detective Rydell the corrupt cop who was part of the first shooting who wants to take revenge on the criminals that took out his team. He wants money or he will bust the whole gang. Simple performance. (5/10)

 

Director Review: Wayne Kramer – Creates a good thriller shame he can’t put together any decent dialogue. (5/10)

 

Action: Plenty of action when it takes off, but slow builds up between in all. (8/10)

Thriller: Good thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat. (9/10)

Settings: Each setting is dark and works for the story with the ice rink being very good addition. (7/10)

Suggestion: This is one that should be tried by the fans of the thriller but will not be liked by the people who dislike over use of swearing. (Try)

 

Best Part: The odd couple.

Worst Part: Language

Action Scene Of The Film: Ice Rink Shoot Out

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Box Office: $9 Million

Budget: $15 Million

Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes

Tagline: If anything can go wrong, it will and at the worst possible time.

 

Overall: Solid Thriller

Rating