Michael Chricton, writer, director and producer also known as the founder of “techno-thriller” genre, tried different things during his long and fruitful career. One idea was to explore his favourite theme of the challenges and dangers created by new technologies in the form of police thriller. The result was Runaway, 1984 science fiction film which is now considered to be one of Chricton’s lesser works.
The plot is set in relatively near future (or 1991, according to some details glimpsed in the film) when robots became so ubiquitous that police have special units to deal with them when they malfunction and become danger to people around them. One of such policemen is the protagonist, Sergeant Jack R. Ramsay (played by Tom Selleck), widower who lives with young şon Bobby (played by Joey Cramer) in home maintained by robot named Lois (voiced by Marilyn Schreffler). Ramsay has been given a new partner, Officer Karen Thompson (played by Cynthia Rhodes) and their tasks seem routine until they are called to handle robot that apparently started killing members of one family. Ramsay discovers that it was the result of tampering with robot’s chips and leads point towards Dr. Charles Luther (played by Gene Simmons), brilliant but evil scientist who developed all kinds of murderous gadgets that include smart heat-seeking bullets and tiny but deadly spider-like assassin robots. When Ramsay threatens to stop his schemes and take possession of templates used for murderous chips, Luther unleashes his creations on Ramsay, his partners and members of his family.
Chricton’s idea of police film apparently included all the cliches of 1980s police genre, including those that are quite annoying and make the plot and action predictable for more experienced viewers. Protagonist is burdened with past professional trauma and affliction he would have to overcome during action-packed finale. Villain, when his schemes get hampered by protagonist, takes it very personally and acts against protagonist’s family. When protagonist, who is male, gets female partner, their relationship will inevitably become romantic. Protagonist has a hostile boss, played by G. W. Bailey, known for similar role in Police Academy. There is even some gratuitous nudity, although not in the case of Kristie Alley in rather thankless role of Luther’s girlfriend, whose character only gets in underwear while being searched for Luther’s bugs. What this film lacks, however, is humour. Runaway is quite serious film, which makes formulaic nature of the plot quite noticeable.
On the other hand, Runaway is quite successful in strictly technical terms. Chricton directs it with ease, using a lot of moving camera to create realistic atmosphere. Vancouver locations are put to good use, just in the case of cinematography by John A. Alonzo. Action scenes are quick and efficient. Jerry Goldsmith provides his first all-synthesiser score, which probably sounded futuristic in 1980s, but sounds much dated today. Casting is also good, with Tom Selleck, then at height of popularity due to Magnum P.I. television series, confidently and efficiently playing heroic yet believable protagonist. Cynthia Rhodes as his partner adds a dimension of overeagerness to her character. Gene Simmons, rock musician known as member of KISS band, is, however, one-dimensional in his role of over-the-top villain.
Runaway is, however, more interesting and ultimately more successful as Chricton’s prediction of technological progress and its impact on society. Robots of the near future are, instead of human-like androids, more realistically and convincingly portayed as natural progression of contemporary home appliances. Police used drones armed with cameras to get information in situations when actual human would be in danger. There is even hint of ever-present online social networks providing all kinds of information to be abused by malevolent people and organisations. One of Chricton’s prediction was a miss – widespread use of psychics as help during police investigations. However, despite its flaws and it clear inferiority to 1980s science fiction classics, Runaway still functions as good, technically well made and mostly entertaining techno-thriller.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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