Running Scared - movie review

Every year there is that one movie that is just ridiculously over the top in terms of language and violence. This year, we officially have our second. The first was Eli Roth's Hostel; the second is the new Paul Walker movie Running Scared. Scenes in this movie would make Quentin Tarantino proud (and in fact did as he has said wonderful things about it). There were scenes in this movie that were a little much and probably unnecessary (I don't want to spoil it, plus I really don't want to write about it either as it was quite unsettling). The characters were more like caricatures of every despicable type of human alive. The langauge was quite graphic and the "F" word has lost all meaning because it was said so much. Speaking of the language, it was funny how pretty much every other word out of Paul Walker's mouth began with the letter "F", but his wife was adamant that he not use the word in front of the son. But in the end, it all worked. For two hours, I was engaged and having a blast watching Paul Walker getting into and out of trouble in have one really messed up night. You had gangsters, pimps, dirty cops, explosions, glowing hockey pucks (Note to Fox - this is what the glowing puck should've looked like in your telecasts as opposed to that abomination that you guys attempted to use in those NHL games a few years back), guns, etc. There were a lot of quick cuts, which added to the ambiance of the film and at times, you really felt you were with Walker and the downward spiral he was on during the night.

The movie was a smorgasboard of violence and it was spectacular. If you think directors like Tarantino and Roth are over the top, stay away. But if you love violence and don't mind hearing some foul language every other word, you should check this movie out. Unfortunately, it is playing in a somewhat limited release and the box office receipts were quite low, so you may need to hurry before this movie ends its theatrical run.

4.5 out of 6 beers