I will admit I have always had a little "something" for the Michael Crichton written and directed 10984 film "Runaway". I will try to keep it brief, but apologies in advance if I go into windbag territory.
I recall seeing TV spots (i.e. trailers) back in the 80s for this film but can not recall ever seeing it actually playing in the theaters upon release. However, the film was released for local rental (VHS, video shops) as well as "pay per view" TV after it's supposed original 1984 theatrical run, and that's how I came to see the film for the first time: recorded on a VHS tape off of a then movie-channel playing flicks usually uncut (or at the very least, in their local theatrical versions) but chopped off in pan & scan 4x3 format. I also think that the first few minutes of the film were missing from my VHS tape, probably recorded on the fly when the film was starting, because *** SPOILERS ! ! ! **** when I re-watched it on DVD (in full 2:35 aspect ratio!) I did not recall the first "cornfield" scene at all... But then again it has been about 30 years (if not more) since I last saw this film!
Yes, the film is quite dated: everything from the police uniforms to the hairstyles to the makeup screams horrible eighties, but maybe that's what the film was supposed to be: an alternate version of the reality of 1984. Still, if you grew up in the 70s and 80s, then you can allow such fashion crimes a hall pass since they were the real thing and not the post Y2K 80s glamorification of today...
Anyway, the film is supprisingly well structured as there is not dull moment or useless scènes which either don't help the story to go forward at a reasonable pace, or offer up a wee bit of characterization and empathy between the characters, except of course for the *** SPOILER ! ! ! *** overly played-out final kiss which finishes the film and has the end crédits start as the two leads keep rubbing lips for a few minutes. But again, this happens at the end of the film, so it doesn't really hinder the story.
Although quite simple and straightforward, the film is remarkably smart. People seem to talk, act, react quite naturally, again considering this was 1984 and "equality between the sexes" wasn't yet part of the daily decorum (ahem!) - meaning of course that one can not shake off the feeling that there is a bit of what was considered "normal" at the time condecendance towards women. It isn't as bad as previous décades, but still...
Anyway, everyone does a great job, from the lead actors (including also some of the bit players) to the special effects (although, again, dated by today's standards but very effective for the time), to the cinematography (the rear-projection isn't as horrible as other films of the time), to the production design, and even the ADR looping is quite noteworthy. Perhaps the weakest point is the rather "standard" 80s synthesizer score which doesn't seem to fully mesh with the rest of the production, although it does manage to be serviceable for what it is supposed to do. Again remember that this is just my personnal tastes talking here...
Anyway, it's not a masterpiece and shouldn't be considered as such, but it is a very fun little romp, well paced and well executed on (most) all fronts and should be enjoyed without being taken too seriously. Like many films, it has it's fair share of flaws, but it is a very nice little film.
I recall seeing TV spots (i.e. trailers) back in the 80s for this film but can not recall ever seeing it actually playing in the theaters upon release. However, the film was released for local rental (VHS, video shops) as well as "pay per view" TV after it's supposed original 1984 theatrical run, and that's how I came to see the film for the first time: recorded on a VHS tape off of a then movie-channel playing flicks usually uncut (or at the very least, in their local theatrical versions) but chopped off in pan & scan 4x3 format. I also think that the first few minutes of the film were missing from my VHS tape, probably recorded on the fly when the film was starting, because *** SPOILERS ! ! ! **** when I re-watched it on DVD (in full 2:35 aspect ratio!) I did not recall the first "cornfield" scene at all... But then again it has been about 30 years (if not more) since I last saw this film!
Yes, the film is quite dated: everything from the police uniforms to the hairstyles to the makeup screams horrible eighties, but maybe that's what the film was supposed to be: an alternate version of the reality of 1984. Still, if you grew up in the 70s and 80s, then you can allow such fashion crimes a hall pass since they were the real thing and not the post Y2K 80s glamorification of today...
Anyway, the film is supprisingly well structured as there is not dull moment or useless scènes which either don't help the story to go forward at a reasonable pace, or offer up a wee bit of characterization and empathy between the characters, except of course for the *** SPOILER ! ! ! *** overly played-out final kiss which finishes the film and has the end crédits start as the two leads keep rubbing lips for a few minutes. But again, this happens at the end of the film, so it doesn't really hinder the story.
Although quite simple and straightforward, the film is remarkably smart. People seem to talk, act, react quite naturally, again considering this was 1984 and "equality between the sexes" wasn't yet part of the daily decorum (ahem!) - meaning of course that one can not shake off the feeling that there is a bit of what was considered "normal" at the time condecendance towards women. It isn't as bad as previous décades, but still...
Anyway, everyone does a great job, from the lead actors (including also some of the bit players) to the special effects (although, again, dated by today's standards but very effective for the time), to the cinematography (the rear-projection isn't as horrible as other films of the time), to the production design, and even the ADR looping is quite noteworthy. Perhaps the weakest point is the rather "standard" 80s synthesizer score which doesn't seem to fully mesh with the rest of the production, although it does manage to be serviceable for what it is supposed to do. Again remember that this is just my personnal tastes talking here...
Anyway, it's not a masterpiece and shouldn't be considered as such, but it is a very fun little romp, well paced and well executed on (most) all fronts and should be enjoyed without being taken too seriously. Like many films, it has it's fair share of flaws, but it is a very nice little film.