R.U.N is what happens when the stuntmen send the acrobats out for coffee then change the locks behind them. It’s a race through the darkest parts of a Las Vegas that isn’t quite our own, one back-alley brawl at a time. A lean 75 minutes of throw downs, pyrotechnics, scraps, car chases, donnybrooks, motorcycle tricks, livewires, and, in case you hadn’t noticed, a whole mess of fighting.

Robert Rodriguez, the genius behind Sin City, From Dusk Till Dawn and Alita: Battle Angel, writes this graphic novel come to life. Tyler Bates, who’s scored more movies than Gene Siskel, comes in to do the soundtrack. And tying it all together is Masked Singer creative director Michael Schwandt, who sews up all the interwoven stunts, live video, explosive special effects, throbbing rock and electronic and, of course, clowns.

Nah, just making sure you’re paying attention. No clowns.

What is on the menu, though, is a nasty little tale of love, rage and betrayal in what marks a major departure for Cirque du Soleil: not only is this the first all-action spectacular in the company’s 35 years, but it’s fueled for the first time by a ticking clock of a plot that propels the story from chapter to chapter.

In other words, don’t plan on picking up where you left off after any impromptu bathroom breaks. You’re just going to have to hold it. You should’ve thought of that before we hit the throttle.