Review of The Running Man (1987) by Sean G — 30 Jun 2009

"You cold blooded bastard, I'll tell you what I think of it, I'd live to see you eat that contract, but I hope you leave enough room for my fist, because I'm going to ram it into your stomach and break your god damn spine!" - Ben Richards [to Damon Killian].

A definitive Schwarzenegger film that has the unnecessary violence, bad puns, one liners, hammy acting, and even the catchphrase, "I'll be back!".

In a dystopic future, the world economy has collapsed and the United States has become a totalitarian society. Television is a driving force in people's lives, but little do they know, that they are being manipulated constantly by it. Ben Richards is a cop and is one of the few trying to make the right choices. While ordered and refusing to fire at a group of unarmed civilians looking for food, Ben is attacked by his ex-fellow officers and knocked unconscious. For the next three years, he works in a labor camp, but on one day he and his fellow inmates escape the compound. It is only a matter of time before Richards is captured again and he is sent to a place much worse. The TV show called The Running Man, is the most popular TV show in history where inmates must run for their lives if they are to avoid being killed by professional murderers. Ben Richards has been framed for crimes he didn't commit and called "The Butcher of Bakersfield." He is forced to perform on the show after a request by the TV program's boss and master manipulator, Damon Killian, who believes Richards has immense star power and could be coerced into being a future slayer on the show. Whether Ben Richards likes it or not, he is now The Running Man but he is going to survive this show, gain his freedom, and kill anybody who tries to stop him.

This film is directed Paul Michael Glaser, a not really well known director but if you have ever seen the awful Shaquille O'Neal movie, Kazaam, then this is the man responsible for it. The Running Man is loosely based on the Stephen King novel of the same name and recalls scenes from the French film, Le Prix du Danger, which has a similar theme to this movie. The only thing that saves this film from being a total bomb is the charisma of Schwarzenegger and the surprisingly humorous performance by the TV show host Damon Killian (Richard Dawson). This film represents one of the worst possibilities of reality TV being the dominant force in people's lives and enjoying the senseless death on screen, much like the Roman Empire had the gladiatorial games. When you watch this movie, you are just the same as the audience in it. Thankfully it isn't real and the real world is what saves us.

As Schwarzenegger's career grew in the 1980's and this was one of his notable films. The only reason why this film made money was because of his name. It wasn't until Total Recall came out in 1990 where it was confirmed that he was an absolute box office draw. If it wasn't for Arnold in this flick, it would have been a total disaster. Arnold brings his unique personality to the table by throwing out one liner after one liner, and I think this film has one of the highest levels of Arnie-isms. Playing the love interest is Maria Conchita Alonso as Amber Mendez. She meets Ben Richards in her own home and decides to take her with him to a place far away from the crazed Running Man society. While at the airport, she yells out who Richards is and he is then captured and taken to the Running Man show. After watching news reports telling lies about Ben Richards, she decides to do some investigating for herself on the matter. She too is caught and thrown onto the destructive TV set of The Running Man. The man behind this highly popular show with close ties to the government is Damon Killian, played by Richard Dawson. Dawson does a good performance as people will surely laugh at this crazed media baron who wants to be more popular and loved than a god. He'll get pissed off easily at his workers and isn't afraid to screw a few people over. If there is one person he'll be nice too, it is the audience. He'll let them choose who the next Stalker, or person who will kill the contestants, is going to be. He'll award them for their cold hearted decision by giving them prizes, including the Running Man home board game. The rest of the primary cast consists of other contestants, freedom fighters, and the TV shows Stalkers who are rather large men. The highlight of these Stalkers is pro wrestler turned actor, Jesse "The Body" Ventura. He flexes his muscles and was once a famous draw for the Running Man show. But things have changed over the years and he has developed a hidden aggression towards Killian. None of the acting here is outlandish and is typical for this 80's sci-fiction/action flick.

The special effects, futuristic vision, and music all have the late 1980's feel. The architecture of some of the buildings isn't that bad, but everything else has the blockish look to it, similar to Total Recall. The special effects, being on a $27 million budget, aren't the greatest but they work. The music would have pleased its 1980's audience, but listening to it in the new millennium, is pretty laughable. There are plot holes in the story that are a mile wide. For instance, there are somehow cameras everywhere capturing perfect sound and each possible cinematic angle. Even though there isn't any there to begin with and you may as well have been watched by a magic crystal ball. The list can go on but you might as well enjoy the mindless fun.

The main thing to learn from this movie is to not let TV become a driving force in your country. Too bad it is too late for the G8 nations, most notably the United States. TV just doesn't have to be the boob tube, as cell phones, iPods, blackberries, computers, and other nick-nacks are always right there with us. If society fell, it is possible we could become mindless cattle watching a TV show like the Running Man. Also, if things like euthanasia are allowed, reality TV may want to go to the next level and spawn its own Running Man game shows. The Roman Empire had the gladiators, now we got the WWE and UFC. They just don't allow people to get killed...yet.

If you are a fan of 80's sci-fi/action and love Arnold, then check this one out.

"I'm not into politics. I'm into survival." - Ben Richards (aka Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger).