Writer-director Wayne Kramer previously gave us the romantic, Vegas-set crime drama The Cooler, which among other things is notable for featuring the most blatant deux ex machina ending I've seen in any film made in the last thirty years, which nevertheless worked nicely in context for three reasons: 1.) Kramer was obviously AWARE that it was ridiculous, but plowed through anyway, 2.) even more than Woody Allen's acclaimed Match Point, The Cooler was a movie about blind dumb luck and so the twist was entirely in keeping with the theme, and 3.) Kramer gets you to love and care about the William H. Macy and Maria Bello characters so deeply that you joyfully accept anything that allows them a happy ending. In his hyperactive, adrenaline-and-steroid-fueled thriller Running Scared, Kramer attempts to make an entire movie with the tone and feel of The Cooler's surprise climax, and you've got to admire the man's sheer chutzpah. Paul Walker plays a low-life petty crook who spends an After Hours-like night in urban hell trying to retrieve a hot gun; in contriving his journey Kramer features tons of bloody shootouts and other methods for his scuzzball cast to decimate each other with, punctuated by uses of the F-word and its brothers, sisters and cousins that would make Tony Montana blush (I counted four variants on rhymes-with-truck in one sentence!) and numerous plot elements dealing with various types of child abuse. Clearly there are two ways to respond to Kramer's methodology: you can either be thoroughly repulsed and offended by it (and if you were I honestly can't blame you)...or you can do as I did: take it as an astonishing black comedy and grin nonstop through its two hours. (Humble advice for Kramer: if someone praises you for this movie being intentionally funny, and you didn't intend it that way...smile, take the compliment, and shut up! However, from noting who he dedicated his film to in the closing credits, I strongly suspect that Kramer may be taking himself far more seriously than I did.) My personal tolerance level for movie gore isn't what it was 20 years ago, but Kramer is so wildly over-the-top in his presentation that Running Scared has much the same exhiliarating effect as the House of Blue Leaves finale of Kill Bill, Volume 1 and nearly ALL of Sin City. And Kramer seems to have fashioned a movie that's pitched exactly at the level of Paul Walker's acting style: in movies like Into The Blue, Walker hilariously rattles-through-his-lines-without-using-punctuation-or-taking-a-breath-or-anything, and Running Scared is so maniacally paced that the subject and star are a perfect match. Granted that 2006 is still very young, but any year in which the Vice President of the United States shoots somebody is one in which absolutely anything can happen; even so, get your affairs in order, stock your pantry shelves and watch for signs of dogs and cats living together, because any year in which Walker gives two good performances (here and in Disney's Eight Below) and Julianne Moore gives a really terrible one (in Freedomland) is a year in which the Apocalypse is more likely than usual to happen!… Expand

This film is the perfect celluloid example of Murphy's Law: If something can go wrong, it wil... and then that'll go wrong too.

This movie was soo bad it was good.

I found it suspenseful and thrilling. While there are a few times in the movie that I didn't quite understand why the characters did certain things (thus complicating their own lives) I was able to suspend my disbelief and enjoy the action. [***SPOILERS***] When you get to the end credits you'll realize that you just finished watching a violent somewhat twisted fairy tale. Definitely enjoyable if you don't mind violence.… Expand

The most violent, action packed, tense movie I have seen maybe ever. Seriously thought it would be okay at best and came away really liking it. This movie is gonna get big on word of mouth. Definitely worth seeing.

This movie just didn't let up. Non-stop action and plot twists for 2 hours. Yes, it's maybe a little too stylish and violent for it's own benefit, but I throughly enjoyed this gritty flick.

Genius, audacious, in your face filmmaking that we won't see again for a long time. Critics who believe they need to warn the public about our decaying morality will never get behind it, but fans of pure, edge of the seat cinema will be well satiated by the time the unique animated fairy tale credits hit the screen. Ignore the naysayers and go experience the most visionary movie of the year.

Are you crazy???? horrible....absolutely trash. was the writer joking? please tell me so.....this is such a stupid movie.

Thank you. A movie that isn't afraid to tell a gritty, surreal, and truly visceral story. Running Scared will probably stay under the radar for alot of viewers, but isn't that always the way of some of the more original and bolder movies? But straight up, this movie is f***ing awesome! Excellent story and directing by Wayne Kramer, whose last movie, The Cooler, was another hot one that went under the radar. Whatever though, just keep em coming brother, you have fans! Highly recommended, pass it on.… Expand

What a pleasant surprise! When I usually watch a movie I have the movie playing on the big cinema display and web surf on the laptop, but this movie kept me glued to it the entire time. Great over the top action with over the top characters. Fun stuff!

I loved it. I found the suspense almost unbearable (in a very good way). The unforgettable sequence with Oleg's sick kidnapper's could be a classic short film all on its own. The plot of the movie was not perfectly logical, and the violence (other than in the above-mentioned kidnapping, where all violence was merely implied) too graphic for some tastes, but I found the movie more viscerally gripping than any I've seen in years.… Expand

Acting: 8/10 Plot: 6.5/10 Action: 9/10 Value: 8/10 (as in watching it again) I'd recommend this movie if you liked: - The Departed - Crank - Training Day All in all, it's a rent.

I had been wanting to see this movie for quite some time but never got around to it. Now that I have I can say with assurance that it is appallingly bad. Some scenes (maybe 3 or 4) are shot with style and substance. The rest of the movie is a frenetic mess of cursing and ridiculous subplots. I do not recommend this movie to anyone. Even if you're mildly interested in seeing it, pass. There are many other better films. This was a terrible movie.… Expand

Great movie, I would have given it a ten but some of the violence seemed out of place and uneccessary near the end .

Intense ... not for the theatre crowd. Action from start to finish. Decent acting, OK plot, semi-annoying cinematography. Did I mention action? If you know what you are getting when you buy your ticket, you will not be disappointed.

First of all amazing movie i love paul walker acting he got that something that puts me on the egde of my seat OOOHHH by the way ladies is show his HoneyBuns. this movie is like sin city with hostel boold wise this movie has A class acting strong story at a fast pace. the characters are very interesting, in different ways compelling. This movie has some major twist that u won't expect. This movie has so much Twisted violence u wonder how can a whole town be this bad and the sidestorys are great to like the mod'dirty cops'hookers'gangs'and F##K up Sicko parnets. this movie will get good world of mouth .What a way to start the year. Go check it out now!!!!! P.S u wont be disapponted hope there a unrated version!!!!… Expand

Absolutely beautiful cinematography - the acting was fantastic, and it definitely kept you on your toes. Something few people have mentioned but which struck me was the music - excellently written, very reminiscent of Scarface. Very enjoyable, well worth watching.

a terrible movie. Anybody that says that this piece of crap is as good or better than Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill needs to be slapped. Boring as hell, lousy acting. Tried to be surreal and cool but was just lame. Worst movie i've seen since Mindhunters, both movies i shut off before the end because i couldn't take the torture any longer.

it had everything you could of wanted in a movie. Good looking lady and a lot of gun play. a very good time.

OK, I got an idea... let's all think of the worst possible elements and through them into a movie. Mix in Pimps and Hookers with child molestors and add the Sopranos with a pinch of the Russian Mob and what do you get... the worlds dumbest storyline to a movie. Just horrible acting and anyone who worked on this movie should be ashamed. (and probably are!)

I like watching Paul Walker, but will probably not watch him again. I felt so stupid after watching this movie. What was the point of all the cussing, sexual stuff, child porn crap and everything else? Not a good plot and not a good movie.

I don't consider myself a prude, but this movie (?) had more uses of the "F" word than I have ever heard. It was a brutal portrayal of the worst of mankind. It's portrayal of women was terrible. The slight redeeming piece of this trash was the final ending.

Pulp Fiction part 2. Great movie and believe it or not, Paul Walker kicks ass. Not for the faint of heart.

Not very realistic at all, cartoonish at times, but a very interesting and entertaining movie. Definetly Tarantino influenced, but I didn't think it was a rip-off. I hadn't seen Paul Walker do anything good prior to this so I was kinda amazed at how much I liked this all the while I was watching it. If there is any criticism it is that the movie at times seems like a bunch of different parts not stitched together all that well. But other than that it's a wild, fast paced ride through a dark and zany world of violence and mayhem.… Expand

I think that Paul Walker was great in the movie and i really enjoyed watching him in it. I say if you dont like it dont see it.

What a bunch of dumb ass reviewers! This flick was a thrill ride to say the least. Sure there was a lot of bad language and excessive violence, but that goes with the territory, and fits the storyline perfectly. I agree, the acting and directing wasn't the best, but this didn't detract from an overall enjoyable movie experience. Come on people, when are we going to get reviews which tell people how entertaining the movie is for genre and type of film you can expect? This is great hardcore, gritty and unpredictable thriller and deserves a "must-see" status.… Expand

I was wondering where all the Jean-Claude Van Damme fans went. They were all out renting this movie. How old is Wayne Kramer anyway? I hear he's a 12 year old middle school student.

What a tremendous ride and WHAT a surprise! Brooding, pulpy and violent - all true - but these are the elements that make it so brilliant.

A true disaster, I mean it. Don't be fooled by a surface we have seen too many times.

Why is it getting all of these 0's? This movie was really good, acting was good, action was decent. I mean come on. I was on the edge of my seat for the whole movie. Awesome. Also, anybody bitching about the "gore", you really gotta grow up. This movie had nothing in it to even be close to gory.

This was pretty trippy. This to me was a funhouse kind of film. The story was OK for a B plus movie.

Great movie, very well done, one of the most entertaining action suspense movies I've seen in a while.

I wasn't at all sure that I'd like this movie. But it was very entertaining. Definitely will keep your attention. The acting is good, Paul Walker did a really good job. Worth watching for sure.