‘The Running Man’ Is a Enjoyable, Quick-Paced Journey With an Unlucky Stumble

The pairing of director Edgar Wright telling a narrative from Stephen King is past thrilling. One is thought for electrical, pulse-pounding movies stuffed with coronary heart, humor, and motion. The different is liable for crafting essentially the most provocative and terrifying tales of a era. So, with The Running Man, it’s no shock that a lot about it really works so nicely. What is a shock is when, and the way, it doesn’t.

Based on the 1982 novel by King, which was tailored by Wright and author Michael Bacall, this model of The Running Man is sort of fully completely different from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie we all know and love. Wright’s model adheres a lot nearer to the novel, which follows a person named Ben Richards (Glen Powell) as he joins a lethal gameshow in hopes of getting cash to assist his household. That sport present, the titular Running Man, sees Richards and different contestants set out into the world, the place they have to survive for 30 days, so long as they will keep away from the eyes of actually each human on the planet and a bunch of skilled assassins.

Since that is an Edgar Wright movie, it ought to be no shock that The Running Man is wildly propulsive. It takes a couple of beats to lock in, however as soon as it will get going, it by no means stops, and it’s fairly a experience. As Ben goes from metropolis to metropolis and site to location, the entire dynamic of the movie modifications many times. Each massive motion set piece has its personal really feel and a singular, revolutionary take. Wright by no means does the identical factor twice, and throughout the confines of this go-anywhere, do-anything sport present, he finds some ways to have enjoyable and push boundaries.

Powell is unbelievable within the lead position. Charming and thrilling, but additionally pushed and stuffed with rage about his scenario. There’s an ideal stability in there of film star high quality with a relatable, emotional undercurrent that makes you cheer for him. He’s then joined by a shocking supporting solid that features Colman Domingo, Katy O’Brian, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, and a number of other others. Each offers the movie one other stage of vitality and pleasure when they’re on display screen, including to the expertise.

Because the entire film is principally a sport present, Wright and his crew are compelled to spend an excellent period of time explaining and following a ton of complicated guidelines. For instance, each day Ben has to movie a video confessional and ship it to the producers within the mail. There are additionally guidelines about how the money prizes add up, how common folks can take part, and extra. For essentially the most half, these are dealt with nicely and match into the general drive of the film. But, at instances, they will maintain issues again or get a bit complicated.

Thankfully, for a lot of the film, you don’t care just because it’s a lot enjoyable watching Powell on this epic sport of cat and mouse. It’s full of pressure and suspense. You by no means fairly know who he can belief, when the Hunters (led by Lee Pace) will present up, or what may presumably occur subsequent.

That tempo (and Lee Pace) makes The Running Man extremely entertaining for nearly all of its runtime. However, as soon as the movie will get towards the top, issues take a flip, each for the characters and the movie. First, issues kind of grind to a halt. Then, we get to the massive finale, and a movie that’s been so simple will get extremely cheeky with its plot. That’s then adopted by the movie principally acknowledging these points with a really speedy, awkward wrap-up that leaves you feeling largely unhappy. Up to that time, the film has been a ton of enjoyable, but it surely hits a brick wall and virtually every thing about it suffers.

It’s an entire shock, particularly if you add on simply how nicely The Running Man works thematically. Though it’s not set in a particular yr, King initially wrote the e book to happen in 2025, so we are going to all acknowledge themes about grasping firms, power-hungry executives, and the necessity to battle again towards an evil, oppressive system. The kindness of strangers and the enjoyment of serving to others are additionally essential throughlines. All of which unfolds in an expertly crafted film from prime to backside, with gorgeous units, thrilling enhancing, cool music, and extra. So a lot concerning the film works. That’s why you assume it’s going to cross the end line the identical manner. It doesn’t.

And so we’re left with a dilemma. Does a disappointing ending negate all of the enjoyable stuff that’s occurred earlier than? I believe, after sitting with it, I ended up liking The Running Man greater than I didn’t. The ending not working in addition to the remainder of the film positively undercuts a few of the goodwill it created, but additionally, every thing else is a lot enjoyable that it’s partially forgivable. Plus, you get the sense that when you know the way it ends, you gained’t care as a lot on subsequent viewings. It’s a pleasure to look at this solid, this story, and this craftsmanship, all from such a unbelievable filmmaker. You simply want it got here collectively in a manner that absolutely lives as much as that promise.

The Running Man opens on November 14.

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