Run Lola Run

Everyone got their ecstasy pills ready? Alright, drop them... now!

Oh! Why must we be tripping-balls for this post, you ask. It’s because Run Lola Run is basically a giant rave of an adrenaline rush that you’ll need dinner-plate eyeballs to comprehend its awesomeness...

In all seriousness, I was not rolling for this film - that’s one mistake I wont make for the fourth time - however, this movie has such a heart-thumping, bass-kicking soundtrack that you just feel the need to dance under some strobe lights while sucking a pacifier. For all of you that are already lost at what I’m getting at here, let me start from the beginning.

Run Lola Run is a German film with subtitles... with that said I’m just going to skip over paying the cast and filmmaker any credence because, hey, if you’re not American or British... then you’re lucky we’re even referencing you. (Alright, all you need to know is that the lead girl, Lola, was played by the actress who’s Jason Bourne’s girlfriend that gets shot in head at the beginning of the second Bourne flick. Oh, and I think she may have been sleeping with the director during the making of this film in ’98... Moving on!) Lola is the dumb chick who has an even dumber boyfriend that accidentally leaves a giant bag of cash - probably drug money - on the subway that was meant to be given to his seedy, low-life boss. Now that he’s lost the money, he needs to get something like $300,000 (just guessing here) in 20 minutes when he scheduled to make the drop with his boss. And, yes, he’ll probably be killed if he shows up empty handed. So like any self-respecting thug, he calls up his girlfriend crying for help. With a gun tucked into his waistband, he tells Lola that in 20 minutes he’s going to rob the local mini-mart unless she can get to him first to save the day - or at least stop him from turning into a murderer. Lola hangs up, and takes off running to save the day.

Now, I don’t want to give too much away... but the film is SO much more than this simple premise. Aside from the kick-ass soundtrack there’s a vibrant, whirlwind directing style that keeps the film buzzing along at a heart-pounding pace. Sweeney has mentioned that this is one item he wishing to cross off his back-log so I’ll leave you with one last bit of information before I go spoiling everything. The film is essentially about fate. Or more precisely your ability to be able to change it. It seems everyone in this flick - even the extras walking along the street - are given a whole backstory (quickly shown within a brief 5-second slideshow). It may seem trivial, giving credence and attention to characters who’s presence in the film doesn’t even matter, but these slideshows are amazingly effective in communicating a great deal of information (sometimes bizarre and disturbing) in a nanosecond. But it’s bringing to life every person that the film truly utilizes it message in that we have our own fates... or maybe we all ability to change the outcome of our destinies.

Take it as you will, but I highly suggest checking out this flick.