Running Scared (1986)

Directed by Peter Hyams. Starring Billy Crystal, Gregory Hines, Darlanne Fluegel, Joe Pantoliano, Dan Hedaya, Steven Bauer, Jon Gries, Jimmy Smits, Tracy Reed, Larry Hankin. [R]

Chicago cops Crystal and Hines would much rather be running a bar in Key West than getting killed in the line of duty, but they feel obligated to bust scummy drug dealer Smits first. Buddy cop pic offers a smooth blend of wisecracks and violence; the leads achieve an easy rapport, and some scenes rise above the sub-genre routine, including a juggling act charade involving Crystal’s amiable ex-wife, a lawyer, and the ladies’ room, as well as a car chase that ends up on the “El” tracks. Too formulaic, however, to leave much of an impact, with a cut-and-dried baddie and a climax that could have been lifted out of a hundred cop thrillers before it (any chance that the ex-wife won’t be kidnapped?). Location shooting is a plus, even though that snow is quite clearly fake. For fans of unintentional homoeroticism, check out the fashion statement they make down in Florida.

69/100