Director: Paul Michael Glaser
Writer: Steven E de Souza (Screenplay) Stephen King (Novel)
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, Jim Brown, Jesse Ventura, Erland van Lidth, Richard Dawson
Plot: A wrongly convicted man must try to survive a public execution gauntlet staged as a game show.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Vintage 80’s Action
Story: The Running Man starts by explaining how the Running Man game show is the most popular on television in the future before moving to Ben Richard (Schwarzenegger) and his team being forced to fire on innocent people, where Richards refuses but the mission still goes on as planned. Richards end up in a working prison where he takes part in an escape with Weiss (McIntyre) and William (Kotto) along with the prisoners escape.
When the ratings start becoming too similar Damon Killian (Dawson) starts looking for a way to improve these ratings, while Ben tries to prove his innocents only to run into feisty Amber Mendez (Alonso). Killian decides that Richards is what he show wants and makes him the latest contestant in the Running Man where Richards must take on a string of villains known as Stalkers including Dynamo, Captain Freedom, Buzzsaw, Fireball and Subzero to survive along with his friends Weiss, William and Amber.
The Running Man is one of those ultimate 80’s action films, that lets the action do the talking on screen. It should also be noted this also bought on the idea of television game shows being run by the government and leading to a revolution. While this story won’t get too many marks for the script, but when did action films need good scripts? The big plus on this film is the fact it is fun. (7/10)
Actor Review
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Ben Richards is the wrongfully committed man who ends up becoming the latest contestant on The Running Man but this gives him a chance to prove his innocence for a crime he never committed and lead a revolution against the government running the television network. Arnold gives one of his good typical performances where we know he will win in the end. (7/10)
Maria Conchita Alonso: Amber Mendez is the feisty woman that gets Richards captured but when she starts to look into the truth about him she ends up being part of the game too. Maria does a good job in this role. (7/10)
Richard Dawson: Damon Killian is the charismatic and ruthless host of the Running Man, he picks Richards to help boost the rating but this show could end up being his undoing when Richards starts taking out his Stalkers. Richard does a great job in this role as a villain that wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight against Schwarzenegger. (8/10)
Support Cast: The Running Man has a supporting cast that includes the Stalkers who are all menacing in their own way, the friends of Richards who lead the revolution and an audience that cheer along with us by the end.
Director Review: Paul Michael Glaser – Paul gives us a fun filled film that still feels great to watch near 30 years later. (8/10)
Action: The Running Man has plenty of fighting action sequences along with a few chase moments. (7/10)
Sci-Fi: The Running Man gives us a look into the future where the government run the lives. (9/10)
Thriller: The Running Man keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout even if you can work out who will make it out by the end. (8/10)
Settings: The Running Man creates the bleak looking future that we could one day see. (8/10)
Suggestion: The Running Man is one to watch especially if you are a fan of classic 80’s action films. (80’s Action Fans Watch)
Best Part: One Liners.
Worst Part: Stereotyping in supporting characters look.
Action Scene Of The Film: Buzzsaw.
Funniest Scene: Subzero.
Kill Of The Film: Dynamo.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $38 Million
Budget: $27 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes
Tagline: It is the year 2017. “The Running Man” is a deadly game no one has ever survived. But….. Schwarzenegger has yet to play.
Trivia: Many people who worked with Richard Dawson, on game show Family Feud (1976) say that in real life Dawson was much like his character Damon Killian in his handling of underlings.
Overall: Fun action film that best describes 80’s action.
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