Related to the 1986 Billy Crystal-Gregory Hines buddy cop movie in name only, "Running Scared" marks "The Cooler" director Wayne Kramer's brazen march into Tarantino territory, but the concussive, hyper-violent results would have benefited from a lot less pulp and better fiction. To be more accurate, there also are hints of Doug Liman and Tony Scott to be found in this hopped-up, bullet-riddled crime thriller, but while certain sequences pack an admitted visceral kick, the prevailing effect is one of utter overkill. Even though Paul Walker, currently occupying the boxoffice top spot with "Eight Below," commands a loyal fan base and there isn't much in the way of fresh competition arriving this weekend, this New Line release probably won't scare up imposing overall numbers, but it likely will do better in certain overseas markets.

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