The Running Man
review by Bobby Blakey
In 1987 action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped into the world of Stephen King aka Richard Bachman for his action film The Running Man, but the film lost a lot of the deeper King themes throughout the writing process and became a straight up action vehicle for Schwarzenegger. Now director Edgar Wright is bringing a new version of the story to life that is supposed to be closer to the source material starring Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson with Colman Domingo and Josh Brolin. Could this latest version capture the essence of the source material, or will it be a game not running through?
​
The Running Man follows the top-rated show on television The Running Man—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward in a near-future society. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian, to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
I was always a big fan of the 87 Running Man. Admittedly the film is cheesy and doesn’t hold up all that well, but it’s still a ton of fun. This new chapter brings a different energy following closer to the source material and instead of just trying to get to the big action it brings some social commentary and heart along with it. Have no fear, there are plenty of action here, but it’s a whole other animal in a good way.
There are plenty of elements that pay homage to the original film with one especially great, but it takes its own path and works great. The story of getting
him to the game is completely different, but still brings all the conspiracy, betrayal and insanity to the mix. I was surprised that it wasn’t more action packed, but I think that there was more expectation from the old film. It brings the action when it needs to but also lets it breathe to let the story and characters shine through.
The cast were all great with Powell leading the charge and doing a great job. I was bummed we didn’t get more creative hunter themed killers again but makes a lot more sense here for the grounded tone. While Powell is great as the lead, it was Michael Cera that stole it for me. Despite not being in the film for very long, his entire sequence is manic and fun with him only outshined by Sandra Dickinson who plays his mother and is a hilarious crazy woman.
There are some pacing issues here and there and I felt like it was trying to stretch it longer than it needed to be with the ending feeling a bit rushed despite still bringing it home. The final moment is simple and perfect, but I was hoping to get more in the finale than we did. It does change the ending from the book, but I dug it and think it added a bit of dark humor to it all.
This is one of those times that I think it was a good plan to remake this story and Wright and Powell knocked it out of the park. I hope it finds the audience it deserves that also gets people to check out the original as well that is a fun cheesy ride of its own.
Decide for yourself and hit the ground running with The Running Man in theaters now from Paramount.