Running Man reviews: Glen Powell is branded ‘Tom Cruise’s successor’ but critics blast ‘anticlimactic’ ending of the Arnold Schwarzenegger remake
Taking on the monumental task of remaking a classic action film, director Edgar Wright did not face any easy success.
The jury was out on Running Man; While some described Glen Powell as ‘Tom Cruise’s successor’, others questioned whether the actor was capable of being the leading man.
Before the film was released in theaters on November 14, early reviews ranged anywhere from two to five stars.
Running Man is set in a dystopian future where a TV show follows criminal ‘runners’ on the run from professional killers, with Glen playing Ben Richards.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s original film, released in 1987, was based on Stephen King’s novel and gained cult status due to its moderate box office success and mixed reviews from critics.
However, judging by the first reviews, the remake does not seem to live up to the classic.
Initial reviews for Running Man, starring Glen Powell, ranged from two to five stars before it was released on November 14.
The jury is out on Running Man critics, with some hailing Glen Powell as ‘Tom Cruise’s successor’ (pictured)
chief film critic Telegram Robbie Collin gave the film a five-star review.
He wrote: ‘Look, I’m not saying that ever since Glen Powell came to world attention in Top Gun: Maverick, the puppy Texan has been deliberately and strategically positioned by Hollywood as Tom Cruise’s successor.
‘But if there was someone – well, it’s hard to think of a more effective way to do it than by starring in The Running Man, the kinetic, stylish, obviously physically and technically challenging new adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel about a life-or-death reality TV show.
‘It feels like a classic Cruise project from the Minority Report and Collateral era; ‘An action movie with a timeliness that never overwhelms but emphasizes its full-time showmanship.’
Hollywood Reporter He doubted Glen’s stage presence as the film’s leading man and said the plot was “empty”.
‘Edgar Wright’s update of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle of the same name has no shortage of action and adrenaline, but ultimately feels empty. David Rooney wrote, “This also doesn’t remove lingering doubts about Glen Powell’s viability as a leading man.”
‘The new version, which Wright wrote with collaborator Michael Bacall, is much closer to the source material than the previous version.
‘But the playful qualities and irreverent personality that power Wright’s best films stand somewhat awkwardly against the bleak picture of class and wealth inequality, poverty, inadequate health care and oppressive law enforcement. ‘Somehow it’s both fast-moving and cumbersome, exciting and numbing.’
The critic added that while he was invested for a while, he eventually felt ‘worn out’.
Some critics doubted Glen’s stage presence as the film’s leading man and said the plot felt “empty”.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s original film, released in 1987, was adapted from the novel by Stephen King, under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, and gained cult status.
Independent He believes that Edgar has ‘lost the once solid sense of tone’ for which he was known, and gives the film two stars.
Wright, who made his name with witty genre parodies (most famously Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz), increasingly turned to more traditional Hollywood fare. In doing so, he lost much of his once solid sense of tone,’ wrote Clarisse Loughrey.
‘King’s novel was previously loosely adapted in 1987, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Richards. It’s extremely crude, but at least the satire works in its characteristically garish way.
‘Here, all that bite is muted with deft maneuvering and sweet wit, while Wright adheres more closely to the book’s original plot.’
The film scored marginally better Guardwho gave the remake three stars.
Reviewer Peter Bradshaw wrote: ‘Full chase scenes, punk aesthetics and urgent music mean there’s plenty of fun to be had as Edgar Wright revisits King’s original 1982 novel.
“The resulting film is certainly nothing but cute and entertaining, but it’s never as disturbing as it should be, and its ending is contrived and unexpected.
‘Still, there’s plenty of joy to be had.’
The novel revolves around a desperate Ben Richards (played by Glen) who needs money for his sick daughter, so he joins the popular TV show The Running Man.
The longer the contestant survives, the more money that person wins as Richards soon uncovers the show’s dark secrets and evil producers.
Edgar has been involved with the project since 2021, after stating that it was the film he most wanted to remake.
John Brolin, William H Macy and Edgar’s Scott Pilgrim star Michael Cera are also in the cast.
Glen spoke about his role in the project in a summer interview with IndieWire: ‘I’ll be shooting The Running Man in the fall.
‘We’re going back and forth on the script and it’s a lot of fun.’
‘The world Edgar has developed on this thing is truly ugly. Very good.
‘And actually we’re both big fans of Stephen King books [the movie is based on]and he will be a great character. I’m so excited about this.’
Running Man will be released in theaters on November 14.
