Review of The Running Man (1987) by Michael Z — 14 Apr 2009

Aside from the Terminator movies this is arguably Schwarzenegger's finest hour - a gripping uber-violent slobber knocker of a film.

Set in 2017, but made way before the advent of reality television exploded, it's not too difficult in this day and age seeing a show like The Running Man - convicts chased by gimmicky stalkers around a nightmare game zone - actually coming to pass. Gladiators is only a few years away from looking like this, mark my words.

Arnuld is aided by a good story and script here to compensate for his lack of acting ability, and there's a good range of characters from the comic book style stalkers (Buzzsaw, Sub Zero) to The Running Man's host Damon Killian - kind of what you imagine Bruce Forsyth to actually be like backstage on Strictly Come Dancing.

The Running Man is extremely violent, as all the best 80s action movies were. There are a number if imaginative deaths as Arnie disposes of one gladiator after another heading towards Killian himself and the salvation of television....or something.

The Running Man is an excellent movie. It has an engaging decent story backed up by a great script and some cracking action, and Arnie has rarely been better. The remake must surely only be a matter of time.