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A mostly entertaining film that often seems to be treading water and is only buoyed by its star’s likability. I’ve seen the first film adaption but barely remember it and I’ve read a summary of the novel, so I have two different points of reference going into this remake. Plot-wise, it sticks close to the novel till it decides to go its own way for the ending, which ends up being more convoluted than it needs to be. It doesn’t help matters that the Running Man game is supposed to go on for a month and there isn’t enough story to fill up that time frame. There’s shockingly little action in the movie, and none of the set pieces are very memorable. The film also veers occasionally into dark comedy, but that’s a bit more hit or miss. And while there is opportunity to use satire and parody in a way films like “Robocop” did the make a point, there isn’t much here more than surface level. The lead actors are solid throughout, but most of them don’t end up with much screen time outside of Glen Powell. He does a good job playing both an everyman and an action hero, and he keeps you invested in his story even through most of the films many lulls.
**1/2 out of *****