The Running Man [1987] (re-watch) — 4/5
In a scant 100 minutes, this movie reveals 18 identifiable, memorable characters. Here, let me list them:
• Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
• Yaphet Kotto
• Nerdy third guy
• Maria Conchita Alonso
• Damon Killian
• Security guard guy
• Subzero
• Buzzsaw
• Dynamo
• Fireball (who I've only now realized is Jim Brown!)
• Captain Freedom
• that character actor (Kurt Fuller!)
• that guy who was the Principal in Buffy
• that nerdy audience member who can't choose
• that old lady rooting for Ben Richards
• Mick Fleetwood
• Dweezil Zappa
• The gamblers in the slums (collectively)
A mixture of big stars, stunt-casting, iconic supervillain names, character actors, and idiosyncratic bit players fill every frame of this movie. Each of them bring some element of bigness into every small scene, each surrounding two people who just exude largeness. Early on, Richard Dawson looks at images of Arnold running away from prison and correctly predicts that this man's gonna get ratings. They both have presence, they take up all the space in a room, they control its energy just by stepping through the door. They both look like they could destroy you.
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