Credit: Ross Ferguson/Paramount Pictures
Edgar Wright’s The Running Man is out in theaters now, and while the film has received mixed reviews, one aspect of the film has disappointed fans in a major way.
What about The Running Man disappointed fans?
When The Running Man reboot was originally announced years ago, fans were excited about the prospect of Wright getting his hands on the project. The film’s inherent satirical nature, about a world that lives in a dystopian society and consumes violent TV like the titular The Running Man show, seemed ripe for Wright and his unique style.
However, many have criticized the new film for not featuring much of Wright’s usual visual style or humor. He’s known for eclectic films like Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Baby Driver, but many say The Running Man feels more of a straightforward action blockbuster. Polygon says it “never really feels like an Edgar Wright movie.”
Wright, usually known for his fast-pace editing style, creative transitions, and high-brow humor, doesn’t seem to inject much of himself in the new movie. Instead of leaning into the more outlandish nature of the 1987 Stephen King book, which almost treats The Running Man game as a video game of sorts (one of the Hunters in the book is even named after Mortal Kombat character Subzero), Wright’s version instead seems to go for a more “realistic” look for most of the movie.
Although the film does contain tons of humor and action, and Wright does seem to heavily criticize society as a whole, the film did not end up living up to what fans hoped he would do with it. Fanbolt says, “it doesn’t feel like a traditional Edgar Wright film.” Instead of a punchy and fast-paced dystopian adventure, it feels Wright may have focused on making a standard blockbuster with the goal being to have a box office hit. Unfortunately for all involved, it seems like neither might happen now.
The Running Man is available to watch now in theaters.
