Posted: 02/08/2011

Runaway Review

by Robert Baum

Review: Runaway (1984)

I n writer/ director Michael Crichton’s future world of Runaway, robots will be repsonsible for duties both at home and in the workplace.Of course man’s decision to relegate duties to machines will never be perfect. Look no further than the recent release The Terminator or Crichton’s own Westworld (1973).
“Magnum P.I.” star Tom Selleck is Jack Ramsay, a cop whose specialty is tracking down errant robots or “runaways.” He has a young blonde partner (Cynthia Rhodes, John Travolta’s love interest in last year’s Staying Alive) and a desire to keep matters professional with her. Ironically, he owns a robot which tends to household chores and keeps an eye on the widower lawman’s son (Joey Cramer).
Ramsay discovers that many of the malfunctioning machines have been tinkered with, thanks to the malevolent plan of Charles Luther (Gene Simmons of the glam rock quartet KISS). He has enabled robots to kill those they once served and has a pretty mistress (Kirstie Alley). Luther also has gotten his hands on some ammunition that can find their targets wherever they may go and with lethal accuracy and devastating results.
The always likable Selleck seems to be doing nothing more than a reprise of his work on the small screen but with more sophisticated firepower. Selleck almost looks uncomfortable, no doubt realizing that many will stay home to watch his weekly series and maybe catch this film once it arrives on cable. Selleck makes for a reliable enough leading man though his talents are wasted. Still, he and co-star Rhodes do have chemistry and make for an attractive pair.
As Selleck’s nemesis, SImmons makes for a convincing bad guy. Without the black and white kabukiesque face paint he wore some years ago, he is rather frightening. He has the presence of a captive predatory feline pacing in its cage, longing to be freed from its confinement; and ready to pounce on whatever it may happen upon.
Rhodes and Alley do little more than look pretty for the camera and wind up being maimed or killed. The only other females (a cop, a female party guest, and the wife of one of Simmons’ fellow inventors) are victims. Even Ramsay’s robomaid is not spared from violence.
The effects are passable. the arachnid-like robots are chilling and the final act has some genuinely terrifying moments. It is almost no surprise when we discover the hero’s fear, which this writer will not name, is exploited in the climax.

Robert Baum is Currently a Bryn Mawr, PA-based film afficanado and pop culture junkie.

Got a problem? E-mail us at filmmonthly@gmail.com