Review of Runaway Train (1985) by Scott A — 23 Aug 2013

Okay, I really did dig the contrived story here and how the entire first half hour is about two guys escaping from prison, and then hitching a ride on a train, who's driver happens to die after starting the train and off they go.

All the train tension is pretty great, as it all looks real and all.

De Mornay doesn't show up until the half way point and she is okay. She's very glammed down, almost looking like a dude.

And I guess many liked the leads, but I thought Voight and Roberts, doing their best hick accents, just came off annoying to me. Voight was an over the top dick, and Roberts was the over the top moron. Their bickering got old real fast.

And what was the deal with the Prison dude??? The train could crash into a Chemical Plant and kill thousands, but all he cares about is bringing Voight back to jail to keep peace? Really?

And the ending was a big let down too.

I guess it could be quite good if you can find anything to like with the leads, but I just couldn't.

Oh, and when Roberts is boxing in the beginning, that is Danny Trejo boxing him. He looks crazy young!