Years ago, I watched the original Arnold Schwarzenegger film “The Running Man”, based on Stephen King’s novel. At the time, I thought it was average at best and didn’t rate it highly. However, the trailer for the remake looked entertaining so I decided to see if this would be better.
I don’t recall much about the original 1987 film but its futuristic premise seemed quite improbable. It was set in 2025 at the time which predated reality TV and similar programmes like “Hunted” (minus the killings!). Nowadays it certainly felt much more relatable.
Set in the future, contestants apply to gameshows like “The Running Man” where they can win big but almost certainly risk their lives. For 30 days, three contestants run and try to evade capture. Lead character Ben Richards, played by Glenn Powell, applies to win and secure his family’s future. The show’s setting is a dark grimy city, a stark contrast to the colourful glamorous world of the TV show. “The Running Man” attracts many viewers and successful contestants try to hide and disguise themselves to avoid capture and death.
Frankly, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away by the film but I did anticipate it would be entertaining. Considering its expensive production, I enjoyed it far more than I expected. At its core, it’s a light-hearted action film with a tongue-in-cheek attitude and it even pays homage to the original Running Man star Arnold Schwarzenegger very early on.
Stunts, action and art direction are all excellent, complemented by fitting instrumental music and a fast pace as Ben battles to win and survive. The story and background quickly establish Ben’s motivations for competing in the show and then swiftly transition to the TV show itself. Glenn Powell delivers a strong performance and is entertaining and fun to watch, he’s likely our new “Bruce Willis” style action figure, especially given Jason Statham’s reduced film output nowadays.
This light-hearted action romp is perfect for a couple of hours of enjoyable escapism. However, don’t get too attached to the supporting characters; they often meet a comic end after just a small number of scenes on screen!
Film Rating
4 out of 5 (mainly instrumental)
Strength of story/plot
3 out of 5
Acting/Performances
4 out of 5
Overall
3.5 out of 5
Certification: 15
Running time: 133 minutes
Screening type: 2D
