Runner

Buddy films are about as much a Hollywood staple as are sci-fi flicks. We've seen a number including the Lethal Weapon franchise, "Midnight Run", the Rush Hour franchise, and others. All were crowd pleasers and all profited. So, when "Runner" was released, I felt, and still do feel, that this will do well in the box office due to it being a thrill ride from first frame to last.

A former Navy SEAL, Hank Malone (Alan Ritchson) is thrown into a brutal race against time when a critical medical delivery makes him and his unlikely partner, Ben Bishop (Owen Wilson)  the targets of a ruthless cartel, headed up by leader Damian Zaldivar (Rodrigo Santoro). As the mission spirals into a deadly manhunt, every detour, delay, and bullet pushes them closer to failure. With betrayal closing in from every side, they must survive the chase and deliver their cargo to save the life of a little girl, and relieve her very worried mother, Kate Baker (Leila George). 

Others to round out the cast are Peta Sergeant as Nurse Julie,  Kate Box as Dr. Ainsley, Goran D. Kleut as Luke Robbie, Cecilia Toussaint as Donna Zaldivar, Geraldine Hakewill as Monica, Gyton Grantley as Iggy and Scarlett Crabtree as Ellie.

This was directed with amazing intensity and grit by Scott Waugh ("Act of Valor" '12, "Need for Speed" '14, "6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain" '17, "Hidden Strike" '23, "The Expendables 4" '23) plus a short. As far as the pacing and timing, this film is reminiscent of the film "Speed" '95, whereas there was non=stop action very close to frame one until the end. As soon as something was solved, something else harrowing begins to make the situation more haphazard. It definitely kept its audience on the edge of their proverbial seats. It was equally well written by Miles Hubley (Shorts) and Tommy White (Shorts). While neither of these writers have no feature film experience, their first time out as film writers is amazing. Their script was tight, concise and cohesive which is more than I can say for a number of seasoned writers. Their ability to hold its audience attention is captivating as well as it is entertaining. If you like their style of writing, their "The Shave" is being written at this time. Hopefully that film is as interesting as this movie. 

If you like high-pulsating, adrenaline ridden, 'buddy films', this is the film for you. This film pulls its audience right in and doesn't let go until the end. As with "Speed" which I liked, this was a movie that keeps one riveted from frame one until the end frame and you walk away with an exhausted feeling only because of the adrenaline it creates in the moviegoers. 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                           Rated: PG-13                                           98mins.