It's very odd that 1988 saw two River Phoenix films where the boy's parents are hiding out from the US government. In "Running on Empty", his parents are domestic terrorists who have been hiding for decades...and in "Little Nikita" they are Soviet 'sleeper agents'* whose son has no idea his parents are Russian spies. As far as Jeff goes, he is living a normal and typical life and he hopes to soon attend the US Airforce Academy, a routine search by the FBI indicates the parents are NOT who they claim to be...and Agent Parmentier (Sidney Poitier) is going to investigate the situation while working undercover. At the same time, a Soviet officer has snuck into the USA about this same family....though exactly what his goals are seem uncertain but may have to do with an agent by the codename of 'Scuba' (Dick Lynch) who is killing the Soviet sleepers!
Of the two movies, "Running on Empty" is superior...and it's a bit of a classic. Now this isn't to say "Little Nikita" is bad...it just isn't in the same class as the other movie. If you only see one, see "Running on Empty".
So why do I think it's not as good as the other film? Well, it all boils down to realism. While "Running on Empty" seems possible as you watch the film, "Little Nikita" seems to strive less for realism and more for sensationalism. The ending also is confusing and really doesn't make a lot of sense. Still, it's not bad...but seems more like a Hollywood story than anything else. And, the ending also seemed very theatrical and tough to believe...much more than in "Running on Empty".
*A Soviet sleeper agent is someone who is a trained spy but who is waiting instructions...possibly years...to become active in the spy game. In the meantime, they blend in and live typical American lives.
Of the two movies, "Running on Empty" is superior...and it's a bit of a classic. Now this isn't to say "Little Nikita" is bad...it just isn't in the same class as the other movie. If you only see one, see "Running on Empty".
So why do I think it's not as good as the other film? Well, it all boils down to realism. While "Running on Empty" seems possible as you watch the film, "Little Nikita" seems to strive less for realism and more for sensationalism. The ending also is confusing and really doesn't make a lot of sense. Still, it's not bad...but seems more like a Hollywood story than anything else. And, the ending also seemed very theatrical and tough to believe...much more than in "Running on Empty".
*A Soviet sleeper agent is someone who is a trained spy but who is waiting instructions...possibly years...to become active in the spy game. In the meantime, they blend in and live typical American lives.