This is one of the more inventive movies of the last decade, I would think. It was new, fresh and very different when it came out in the late '90s and still is unique and enjoyable as of this review in early 2006.

It's short - 81 minutes - but plenty long when you consider it's three versions of the same story, each version about 25 minutes after an opening introduction.

That may sound too repetitive or boring for those who haven't seen this, but it is anything but overplayed thanks to the innovative camera-work and interesting angles on the same story. Watching it on DVD was better than the theater because the 5.1 sound is superior, plus you have the option of a good dubbed version or the original German with English subtitles. I use either, depending on my mood but I lean toward the German with subtitles.

Franke Potente, who has since gone on to become better known around the world from the "Bourne" films, is the centerpiece of this film and very, very interesting. The looks of shock on her face, her flaming red hair and wild general appearance and the crazy things that happen to her are always fun to watch and hear.

Added to the unique cinematography, which includes tricks here and there, is a pulsating electronic soundtrack that brings added life to this already kinetic, involving film.

The high rating I give this film could really be summed up in two words: DIFFERENT and FUN.

"Run Lola Run" is one of the most fun, involving, stylish movies I've seen in a long time. The suspense is high from the get-go, with Lola's boyfriend Manni phoning her to say that if he doesn't get 100,000 deutsche marks within 20 minutes, a gangster will kill him. Immediately, Lola sets off running through Berlin in a frantic attempt to locate the money. The fun part is that we see Lola's journey three times with three very different outcomes, determined by little things that happen to Lola as she runs.

Lola (the engaging Franka Potente) manages to be both an iconic, super-cool heroine, and a believable young woman who just wants to get her boyfriend out of trouble. IMDb ratings show that this is the rare action movie that appeals to girls more than to guys, probably because Lola is such a strong character.

This is exhilarating film-making, with a propulsive soundtrack, a fast pace, and many flashy effects like animated and black-and-white sequences--in addition to the most stunning use of split-screen that I've ever seen. Incredibly for such a young director, these techniques are employed with great assurance. I also like how although the film is "hip" and sometimes amused by the crazy things that happen to people, it's never cynical. Instead, there's a sweet optimism to it, a faith in karma and love.

Occasionally, "Run Lola Run" is a bit too clever for its own good. The rapid-fire montages that show the fates of minor characters are superficially amusing, but unnecessarily hammer home the theme that "little things can have a huge effect on a person's life." However, the movie's philosophies are still ambiguous enough that there's a lot to think about when it's over. Furthermore, "Run Lola Run" is an extraordinarily good time; it's impossible to take your eyes off the screen whenever Lola's on it.

This is NOT a great film by any means, but I certainly must admire it for trying to be different (though its theme isn't that different from the movie Sliding Doors which came out the same year as this film). It looks at the same situation with three possible different outcomes based on MINOR differences in each instance. The speed of the film is quite frenetic and intense--and this was its greatest asset. However, there are two problems with the film that keep it from achieving greatness. First, the characters are completely unlikable--the "heroine" is living with a drug dealer and she is trying to prevent his being murdered by his boss. In one scenario, she steals a gun and robs a bank and in another she helps her boyfriend hold up a store. This is certainly NOT The Adventures of Ozzy and Harriet! Despite this, though, for some reason I found myself actually caring what happened in the movie. Secondly, the movie is HIGHLY stylized and has a sort of "new wave" feel to it (though it was made after the new wave films of the 70s and 80s).