The Running Man

In 1987, Paul Michael Glaser, who apparently couldn’t just go by “Paul”, brought us a look into a dystopian future where a totalitarian government runs the United States with an iron fist and convicted criminals have to fight for their lives and freedom on TV. The Running Man stars Arnold “It’s not a tuma” Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards, a helicopter pilot who refused an order to gun down civilians and was punished with prison after the recordings of the event were doctored to make him look guilty. Arnie escapes prison, kidnaps a woman, and gets caught trying to escape to Hawaii. Blah blah blah, he ends up on a game show with a few of the freedom fighters he escaped with, and they all get sent down to a televised dungeon to fight against a group of “stalkers” which are celebrity gladiators that had their costumes made by a 1987 housewife took inspiration on the costume design from her 8-year-old son. Anywho, that woman who Ben kidnapped is caught discovering a conveniently labelled tape that proves Ben’s innocence and is thrown down to join the others in the game as they all must fight to survive.  Also, there are some revolutionaries around, and they revolt. The Running Man made a modest $38 million off of a $28 million budget and enjoyed lukewarm reviews from the critics, but does it hold up?  Listen in as Jon, Colin, and Brent discuss first drafts, “on a budget” set designs, and working out in lingerie as we see if this is one you should run to, or away from.