About the film (courtesy of 20th Century Studios):
In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian, to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.

The Running Man, as it turns out, is a lot more entertaining than many might assume. Many, for one, might have wondered if this was a project that even needed pursuing. As it turns out, Edgar Wright and Paramount Pictures have a surprisingly solid survival flick on their hands. While the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger-led original became somewhat of a cult classic due to its leading man, it doesn’t hold up when compared to the quality of today’s standards.

What was unclear going in is that The Running Man is more of a continuation, albeit several decades in the future, rather than a remake, which was initially assumed. That said, the premise is virtually the same as the original. The difference this time around is that it feels like a much more polished and complete film.

Edgar Wright embraces the challenge in making an R-rated film that can appeal to the masses. Wright brings his zest for carnage, comedy, and compelling characters to the forefront of this film. The Running Man does exactly what it sets out to do: take the audience on a thrilling ride while rooting for the underdog to come out victorious against a system built to keep people down. While some might say there are obvious, possibly even blatant, parallels to our current climate, that’s not for discussion here. This is an entertaining 133 minutes from start to finish which provides a nice little break from the real stresses of the world.

Glen Powell excels in the role of Ben Richards that basically has no guardrails or safety nets in place. He simply gets to cause mayhem and have fun doing it. As the protagonist, he’s definitely not a mild-mannered, squeaky-clean character that does no wrong. And that’s what’s so compelling about him: moral ambiguity, which helps drive the plot forward.

The main antagonist is Dan Killian, played by Josh Brolin, and he seems to embrace being a baddie. This time, rather than ending lives by simply snapping his finger, he pulls the strings from behind. Colman Domingo is a scene stealer as the game’s overly pompous emcee. Other actors that provide much-needed and appreciated substance are William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, and Michael Cera.

And while there is no single A-list actor equivalent to what Schwarzenegger brought back in the 1980s, this version of The Running Man has a sum that is greater than its parts, making it better entertainment on the whole. The funny, and maybe a bit ironic, part is that even with a runtime that pushes past two hours, it feels a slight bit rushed. Edgar Wright shoves a lot into this story and still is able to balance a brisk pace throughout.

Whether you’ve seen the original or not, The Running Man is absolutely worth checking out. It won’t be in line for any best picture, director, or actor Oscars, but as mentioned earlier, its sum is greater than its parts, and everything works together in unison. See it only in theaters starting Friday, November 14th.