By Geno McGahee
In 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in two major releases: PREDATOR and THE RUNNING MAN. Arnold was at his peak, delivering high-explosive hit after hit and establishing himself as the star of this sub-genre of action. PREDATOR was a unique alien-military film that became so popular that it spawned sequels and spinoffs and is still going after all this time. THE RUNNING MAN is an amazing film with plenty of commentary on society and the way that the media and government were headed.
Ben Richards (Schwarzenegger) is a prisoner for a crime that he did not commit. When ordered to shoot upon innocent people, he refuses. The footage of the attack is altered to make it look like he did and did it against orders and is now locked up for life. With the help of Laughlin (Yaphet Kotto) and Weiss (Marvin J. McIntyre), he escapes and is on the run, getting the attention of the host of the most popular reality show on TV, “THE RUNNING MAN.” This is well before reality TV, but the filmmakers saw the change in demeanor of the public and the wanting for more negative and hurtful programming. They even have a poster for a new show called “THE HATE BOAT,” and one for “PAIN, AMERICAN STYLE” as well.
Killan (Richard Dawson) is looking to increase the ratings of his hit TV show and sees some video footage of the Richards escape and becomes immediately compelled. Dawson, former host of FAMILY FEUD, is amazing in this role. He is a total prick, but when he is on TV, he’s the nicest guy in the world, shouting “who loves you and who do you love” to the audience. It’s hilarious.
Looking for an escape, Richards runs into Amber (Maria Conchita Alonso), a woman that works for the network. Unfortunately, Amber’s belief in his guilt leads to his recapture and a meeting between he and Killan and a spot on the TV show, The Running Man. Richards refuses but is forced into it to save his two friends, Laughlin and Weiss. Killan doesn’t keep his word and puts all three of them into the show and now it’s a battle for survival.
On the show, the participants are hunted by the stalkers. The viewers watch on and bet on the action, trying to win on the first kill. Buzzsaw (Gus Rethwisch) brings his chainsaw that he wants to “make a part” of his victims, Subzero (Professor Toru Tanaka), specializing in deadly hockey accessories, Dynamo (Erland van Lidth), an opera-singing fatso with electrical powers, and Fireball (Jim Brown), who has flamethrowers and has a jet pack. These are the men that Richards and his gang need to contend with.
After seeing some media misrepresentation of the capture of Richards the second time, Amber checks the original unedited footage of the crime that he was convicted of, and discovers he was innocent. She is thrown into the game with the other three immediately to the joy of the viewers at home.
Recurring Schwarzenegger actor, Jesse Ventura, comes back as Captain Freedom, a former champion stalker, that is now the expert analyst for the show. When Richards starts taking out all of the stalkers, Freedom is called back into action, but there is plenty of conflict about it.
Steven E. de Souza wrote the screenplay for THE RUNNING MAN, and his track record is amazing. He also wrote the screenplays for DIE HARD, COMMANDO, and 48 HOURS. We don’t have to mention that he also wrote JUDGE DREDD. We all have an off day. He does a great job taking the original story by Stephen King and turning it into a Schwarzenegger, high-explosive action/sci-fi film. There is so much to this story that is incredibly interesting beyond the quality of the film…much like THEY LIVE.
THE RUNNING MAN, in 1987, was a window to the future. The reality TV, lack of empathy, police state and government-run media as come to be. I saw this film when I was 13 and appreciated it for the great movie it is, but there are so many layers. It may not get credit for the clever production it is. I loved this movie then and I love it more now.
Rating: 9/10
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