| Running Scared (2006) Cast:Paul Walker, Cameron Bright, Chazz Palminteri,Vera Farmiga Paul Walker stars as a mob enforcer's right hand man who has to locate the gun, a mobster used to kill a guy with, seems a kid has used it to shoot his abusive step-dad and the kid has taken off with it around town, now Walker must find the kid and the gun before the cops do, in this intense actioner. Running Scared offers the brutal punch missing in the genre since the genre got it's balls taken eight years ago. Everything in Running Scared is hardcore R material and while some might be a bit overwhelmed by the brutal punch of this actioner, most will find this a welcome return to form for a genre unwilling to take risks anymore. Running Scared has moments that even gave this extremely jaded viewer a jolt. For instance the part where Bright stumbles into a child snuff ring, pimps threatening to put kids on the streets and so forth. All of this brings back memories of the Charles Bronson thriller, Kinjite:Forbidden Subjects. While Walker is no Charles Bronson, Running Scared walks the same ballsy wall and delivers it's sleaze value with pride. It is at the most a genre movie not affraid to pull punches. The climax in particular, is very nasty and mean spirited which I for one applauded. This is how an actioner should be. However there are flaws to be had, mainly it's rushed storyline and various supporting characters which add little but shock value deaths, however for fans of the pure 80's action film, Running Scared will be a welcome return to form for the genre. It's also the best Paul Walker movie, I've seen. D.Wayne Kramer*** |