Running Scared

Intense. That's really the only way to describe this movie - basically, if you like Sin City, you should like this one, as it has the same gruff look and hardcore violence, same camera angles and visual sequences. Yes, this movie looks like it could have been a Frank Miller graphic novel.

It also employs a plot device that has never failed to entertain me: the entire course of the action takes place on one given night. Straight through, beginning to end. That type of tight-knit span of time, it seems, always ensures that the action is fast-paced. Basically, never a dull moment.

Certain elements are disturbing, though - that of the pre-teen children who are completely dulled to the violence around them. With the son of the Russian, you can almost understand from his family life (the John Wayne-lovin' kid-beatin' Ruskie sumbitch), but the other kid, the son of the main character - while he has grown up around his tough dad, it seemed as though he had been somewhat sheltered from the graphic violence, and I suppose the movie does a fairly decent job of filling out these characters, I dunno.

There are a few plot devices that seem a bit contrived, though, and it lies in the redemptive aspects of both the Russian dad and our main character. To go into detail would be giving out some spoilers, andn I don't want to do that.

Suffice it to say, this is a tough movie - tough enough that I would have to say that, yes, it definitely is deserving of the tag line I read on the cover:

"Makes Kill Bill look like Sesame Street"


(Speaking of Sesame Street, watch out: the scene with the husband/wife and their little "kid movie set" in their apartment will make your stomach churn. And I will spoil this part: it almost makes you cheer when they get what they deserve!!)

VG