Running Man (1987) Review

Running Man, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is an action-packed futuristic movie.  The plot is that it's 2017 and the world is not doing so well, from what I gather, and the government arrests A LOT of criminals.  Then there is this show called Running Man which is the hottest show out there.  The show consists of criminals being hunted down gladiator style until they are killed.  Can you imagine watching a show like this?  This movie makes the show very flashy with fancy announcers, dancers, and prizes so that the audience can't help but be sucked in.

Arnold gets involved as the good guy who is framed.  He was supposed to bomb a city of innocent people but said NO so he got arrested.  Eventually he gets put on this show and that's where the drama and action begins!  Can Arnold beat the Running Man Gladiators?  Or will he turn up dead?  And will anyone ever believe that he was framed?  You'll have to see!!!

Arnold is great, of course, as the action star!  He's strong, tall, and believable as the man that is very hard to take down.  As you can guess, this movie is full of fighting scenes where Arnold puts his strength to good use.  Maria Conchita Alonzo plays the girl he kidnaps near the beginning.  She plays a good part as well and is believable as the weak/innocent girl, but then she also knows how to kick some butt when she has to.

This movie makes life scary... because it shows television networks straight out lying, changing videos with technology, and twisting stories to fit their needs.  They manage to make it look like Arnold bombed all those innocent people at the start and they use their special effects to get the audience to believe whatever they want.  What's also scary is how the general public so easily accepts all the things the networks tell them!

This movie is entertaining enough to want to see how it ends.  It is the 80s, you have to remember that, so it is a bit cheesy and of course unrealistic.  i would hope a show like this would never happen in real life.  The special effects are decent for the 80s and keep your attention.  The music is so 80s as well :-D  But if you like any 80s action movie, especially Arnold movies, you'll enjoy this. 

Overall this movie reminded me of the show Gladiators, except more deadly.  You had the gladiators acting mean and out to get the contestants, then the criminals trying to just get through each level of the competition without dying.  It's obviously much more life or death than the Gladiators game show, but it really is comparable.  It also reminded me of Let's Make a Deal as the audience tries to win prizes while watching the gladiators and criminals compete.  It's R rated so keep it for the adults.  Enjoy!!