Movie review: The Running Man (1987)

For some who don't see it as a self-parody, it'll be more tasteless than the worst sitcom-with-laugh-track, but for me who didn't actually grew up in the 80s? It's the essence of bad 80s movies but squared, landing it firmly in "so bad it's good" territory.

A kitsch so over the top it eclipses Escape from New York, Robocop and Mad Max 3 all put together, bad guys more inept and ridiculous than in early comics, wooden acting only the prime Austrian musclehead could bring and lines so lame nobody could believe they're not jokes. It felt completely surreal to me, to the point where I was laughing during most of the scenes.

And something tells me this was entirely on purpose… that something being the iconic line from The Terminator being recycled by the one who uttered it in the first place. It cannot be a mere nod, it must be an admission of unseriousness.

What else could I write to sum up my impression? There should be more movies with uninterrupted minutes of dancing athletic ladies in leotards and I want one of these Adidas suits to use as winter pajamas.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot: I think King's novel does deserve a faithful movie and it was way too long, really weakens its comedic punch.