Running Scared

In the mid 80's, Lethal Weapon was so successful that it seemed to spawn a lot of buddy cop comedies. A few days ago, I revisited one of those that has seemed to be forgotten, 1986's Running Scared.

Ray and Danny, Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal, are two, play by their own rules, Chicago cops. When their methods cost them the bust of a big time drug kingpin they had been trailing, Jimmy Smits, their gruff captain, the always great Dan Hedaya, orders them to take a vacation. The two head to Key West, and get sucked into the relaxed lifestyle. Tired of putting their lives on the line, they decide to retire to Key West and open a bar. When they get back to the windy city, they decide to go out on top before calling it quits and take down the drug czar. Unfortunately, their pending retirement has made them soft and cautious.

I remember thinking that this movie was just ok when I first saw it. But as I was rewatching it the other day, I found myself enjoying it a lot more than I remembered. Hines is terrific, as is Crystal, who has always been kind of hit or miss for me. I think the chemistry between the two works very well. Plus, this was Crystal's second starring role, after the dreadful Rabbit Test, so maybe he was more comfortable about not being front and center because Hines isn't a straight man to him and has just as many funny lines. And I can't go without mentioning Joe Pantoliano, who is hysterical as one of Smits' associates.

The original script was about two, elderly cops about to retire. Director Peter Hyams had them change it to two younger cops thinking it would be funnier. It was also his idea to hire two comedic actors in the roles. Hyams covered similar ground in 1974 with his buddy cop film Busting, but it was much grittier.

Running Scared is a movie that has definitely aged well. After rewatching it, I think it could be one of the better buddy cop comedies.

It's available on dvd and blu ray.