Review of Running Scared (1986) by Ola G — 26 Dec 2010

Ray Hughes (Gregory Hines) and Danny Costanzo (Billy Crystal) are a pair of wisecracking and full on Chicago cops. They are on the hunt for Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits), a drug kingpin on the rise and with the ambition to become the first latinamerican Godfather. In an effort to bring down Gonzales, Danny and Ray unintentionally blow the lid off a long-running undercover operation which has been trying to crack Gonzales's drug ring. After getting chewed out by Captain Logan, Ray and Danny are forced to take a "vacation" and spend some time away from the force. To get away from the dreary Chicago winter, they go to Key West, Florida. They are taken in by the life of leisure, natural beauty, and hot women. Danny comes up with the idea to retire from the force and buy a bar in Key West, and gets Ray to go along with the idea. Still, they don't feel right about retiring until they can nail Gonzales. Ray and Danny head back to Chicago for one last mission as part of the force so that they can retire with clear consciences. Ray and Danny are aiming for one final shot at Gonzales, one final showdown where they can bring Gonzales down...

This is a classic 80´s buddy buddy cop movie and I loved it when I saw it back in 1986-1987 for the first time. The storyline is not the strength of the movie, it´s the dynamics between Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines. Their jokes, their pranks, their funny voices and soundeffects. There´s this positive vibe and aura between them that goes through the screen. I like as well that Chicago is the city the story is played out in. Great soundtrack with hits like "Sweet Freedom" by Michael McDonald for example. In terms of craft, it´s maybe not the most wellmade movie. Some scenes are so very random for example. But, when Hines and Crystal are entertaining you, that´s easily forgotten. Still a treat to see this movie and it brings back some good memories for me at least.