Remakes, sequels, and biopics. That seems to be all that Hollywood is into these days. When I first heard they were remaking The Running Man I thought, “well there’s a guaranteed bomb!” as the 1987 original is a common favorite among cinephiles everywhere. No matter how cheesy it is by today’s standards. However, when I heard Edgar Wright was at the helm, and Glen Powell was going to hold the titular role, I was intrigued. That’s two men who don’t dick around with their chosen professions. Having watched the 1987 Schwarzenegger classic recently, I decided to catch a showing of the remake, and I purchased a copy of the book. Both films have their strong points, but only one holds a flame to Stephen King’s original vision.
Logic dictates that I start with the one from 1987 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. First off, it’s a total 80s Schwarzenegger actioner. (COMMENT: Should I have said “spoiler alert?”) Set in a dystopian future where the United States is a total police state driven by a media conglomerate, a former police officer is imprisoned for refusing to follow an order that would have resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians. He’s later given a choice: die in prison or take his chances on a show called The Running Man. The show involves contestants in a blocked off portion of Los Angeles repurposed as an arena for 4 killers to hunt down the contestant while they try to survive. (COMMENT: Hunger Games? Battle Royale?)
The cast consists of some 80s favorites, like, of course, Arnold. And there’s also Maria Conchita Alonso. Yaphet Kotto (most known for the villain role in the debut Roger Moore James Bond film Live and Let Die). Other tough guy actors include WWF (COMMENT: for you Gen Z’ers and younger, the old name of WWE) wrestlers like Jesse Ventura and NFL players such as Jim Brown. (COMMENT: I guess they had to make it a semi fair fight….)
I said the film screams 80s. If the cast wasn’t enough, director Paul Michael Glaser’s vision for the film includes total 80s imagination and vibes. (COMMENT: Yes….Paul Michael Glaser. Detective Starsky in the 70s cop show). The film is filled with plenty of neon lights, crazy spandex outfits complimented with shiny gear, use of crazily sharpened weapons such as parts to a motorcycle, a razor sharp hockey stick, etc. Naturally the machine guns seen have the most muzzle flashes to give the effect of raw power. (COMMENT: Will someone tell Wes Anderson that this is the way to do overcompensation for weapons and not his ridiculous idea of a .357 magnum with a bayonet?)
What 80s actioner is complete without a score that was done by Harold Faltermeyer? Faltermeyer is the early Hans Zimmer. I don’t mean he had the musical genius of the great maestro. I mean before Hans really claimed the GOAT title, Harold Faltermeyer handled all the Tony Scott, Jerry Bruckheimer crazy action film scores. Filled with percussion beats, synthesized strings and keyboards, and high tempos, Faltermeyer defined 80s action movies with his musical prowess. The result? Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Tango and Cash, Fletch, Kuffs, etc.
Like all Schwarzenegger actioners, The Running Man script consists of crazy one liners, including the signature “I’ll be back”. (COMMENT: I could’ve sworn James Cameron owned the rights to that line, but it’s becoming more n more evident that Arnold muscled his way for it). The storyline is definitely more complicated than most 80s action flicks, but I think that’s thanks to Stephen King. However, from what I can tell this version is definitely not like the original novel. Which is not surprising, because most Stephen King novels have had some liberty taken with them.
Decent script, fun 80s aesthetics, rockin’ score, and not terrible acting. I can see why many consider this to be one of the best action films from the 80s. But what does the remake have to offer?
First let’s take a look at the cast list. The titular character is portrayed by Glen Powell who has the same guy who played Hangman in Top Gun Maverick, the “Tornado Wrangler” in Twisters, as well as Sydney Sweeny’s love interest in Anyone But You. Sorry Arnold, but Glen Powell brings the one thing you couldn’t in your performance…personality. Powell is supported by a media exec villain portrayed by Josh Brolin, totally channeling his Wall Street 2 scumbag performance. Michael Cera is brilliant as a total “Fuck the System” nutbag, and William H. Macy brings the feels as a good-hearted blue collar shop owner that is a close friend of Powell’s character. The “hunters” are portrayed not by retired muscle heads, but total mercenary cut-outs. (COMMENT: I was wondering what happened to Erik Prince’s employees when Blackwater got destroyed by Congress).
This iteration appears to be closer to Stephen King’s original vision. Glen Powell’s character is not an ex-cop. He’s a former defense contractor, factory worker, blue collar type of guy who is having trouble supporting his family because he keeps getting fired for doing the right thing. When his infant daughter is really sick and can’t afford the medication. He volunteers for the dystopian future network games, hoping for any show other than the running man. But in the end, they selected him for you guessed it…The Running Man. The concept of the running man in this iteration (and Stephen King’s original novel) takes place in the entire world. Doesn’t matter where the contestants are at. Just everybody’s out there to get them. He’s got to survive in the world for 30 days. While anybody can rat them out. And the hunters will go and kill him. Or somebody can kill him and collect. (COMMENT: Sounds like a career in the government)
The script is very well written. A lot of sarcasm, a lot of attitude from Glenn Powell’s character. (COMMENT: Powell gives Ryan Reynolds a run for his money…..see what I did there?) The hard luck father who’s desperate to be able to help his family volunteering for the job of human target is very relatable among fathers/husbands everywhere. Edgar Wright is most known for his cheeky humor as portrayed in Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, and The World’s End. But he brings the darkness and the chaos of Baby Driver in this film, culminating foot chases with bullets flying and playing hot potato with a grenade. Only to end with a fantastic message to his audience, “Still here shit eaters!”
I can definitely understand why this film is rocking a favorable yet lower level on IMDb for reviews. Probably because people are going there without having seen the first movie or having seen the original film but have not read the book. It’s also entirely possible that people are watching the film through their political lenses, which as many of you know, is my problem with a lot of film viewers these days. The story does not show “mainstream journalism” or “educated” people in a positive light. Police state/dystopian future films never do though. (COMMENT: I don’t remember uproars when V for Vendetta, Equilibrium, 1984, Metropolis, Escape from New York/L.A., were released. Probably because people could sit back and enjoy blatant works of fiction and not be “offended”…hint hint guys!)
But let’s take off our political lenses and let’s look at this film through the lens of the Arnold movie or even the original book by Stephen King. Director Edgar Wright had apparently dreamed of remaking a cinematic take on the original novel since he read the book decades ago. To keep the vibe of the original Stephen King’s story but still satisfy audiences 40 years later, Wright made sure he kept the described environment laid out by Stephen King, but worked in references to modern history, and works of King written further in his career. Will audiences appreciate the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie more because it was the first one they saw? Probably…hell, most likely. Because it’s human nature to allow the first of anything to define their interpretation. But to be honest, the Arnold Schwarzenegger version is exactly what I had previously said it was…an Arnold 80s actioner…all muscle, no personality.
But you know what? There’s also probably a healthy number of audiences that haven’t even seen the original Arnold movie and will just watch this for its own merit. (COMMENT: Actually probably more people than I’m guessing) Because, let’s face it, the current generation of people watching this movie probably have memories of watching Schwarzenegger films from their childhood, but not as I and others do. I think of The Running Man, Terminator 2 Judgment Day, Predator, True Lies, etc. Gen Z’ers are going to think of The 6th Day, Collateral Damage (only if I’m lucky), Escape Plan, and The Last Stand. (COMMENT: I did see Total Recall growing up, but I prefer the Colin Farrell remake for the same reasons I preferred the remake of The Running Man).
All in all, I personally prefer the new Running man movie as opposed to the original Arnold version. But both are good for their own merits. I ask everybody to watch both and enjoy both. And for those interested, read the book and enjoy the book. And please for the love of God, enjoy them through the lenses of what they are supposed to be. A good action story, regardless of what political spectrum you fall on. Feel free to let me know what you think, either on here, social media, or via email.