FILM REVIEW: THE RUNNING MAN (15) ESP RATING: 3/5

Edgar Wright’s remake is action-packed – but surprisingly light on substance.

As a lifelong fan of the British filmmaker – the sort who still quotes the Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End) regularly – I was genuinely excited to see him take on Stephen King’s The Running Man. If ever there were a story suited to his flair for kinetic action and sharp humour, this seemed like it.

Glen Powell steps in as Ben Richards, a desperate man flung into a deadly, televised gauntlet where survival depends on racing from one danger zone to the next. 

The movie barrels forward at a relentless pace: reach this location, escape that location, sprint to the next one, repeat. It certainly keeps the adrenaline high, but it also means the parade of side characters barely gets time to introduce themselves before disappearing again.

Top Gun: Maverick star Powell (in his first major blockbuster lead role) gives it everything - charm, intensity, a surprising amount of emotional weight – but the script doesn’t give him much room to stretch. The villains, meanwhile, are a far cry from the gloriously larger-than-life foes of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 version. Here, they’re so subdued they could be swapped out for anyone else in a ski mask. That includes Josh Brolin as iconic show producer, Dan Killian. 

Even the humour feels dialled back. One of the better jokes has Richards dangling from a giant letter ‘Y’ on a building and shouting, ‘Why?!’ It’s chuckle-worthy enough, but it’s also a reminder of how sharp Wright’s humour usually is – and how little of that signature spark makes it onto the screen this time.

Wright mentioned in interviews that this production moved on a much tighter schedule than he’s used to, rolling from the end of filming into post-production at a brisk pace (mere weeks!). While he insisted the film wasn’t rushed, the ending in particular has a hurried feel – as if everything’s happening just a ‘beat’ earlier than it should, leaving tension and character moments on the cutting-room floor.

And yet, despite all the flaws, The Running Man is undeniably entertaining. There’s so much happening, so constantly, that boredom doesn’t stand a chance. Even when the emotional beats don’t land, the spectacle carries you along, making it an enjoyable ride – just one that leaves you wondering how great it could have been with a little more time and depth.

In the end, it sits comfortably alongside remakes like RoboCop and Total Recall. Nowhere near as good as the original – but a passable watch if you switch off your brain and just run with it.

ESP Rating: 3/5

Mike Clarke

Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, William H Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones & Jayme Lawson

Running Time: 2 Hrs 14 Mins

Director: Edgar Wright

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

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