The Running Man (4 Stars)

I admit it: Edgar Wright is one of my favourite directors. He's probably my favourite British director. I can't think of anyone who comes close. I have to watch every film he makes, whatever it's about, whether it's serious or a comedy.

This film is an adaptation of a Stephen King novel with the same name. I've heard it wrongly called a remake of the 1987 film called "The Running Man". No. A film can only be called a remake if it's based on another film. A good example is the long list of films based on Bram Stoker's "Dracula". However many films are made called "Dracula" (or "Nosferatu"), they're not remakes; they're all adaptations of the novel.

The film takes place in a dystopian future. Based on the technology used, it might be 20 years or less from now, but no date is named. That's clever. America has fallen apart. There's a new currency called the New Dollar. Poverty is greater than ever before. The only way out for the average citizen is to take part in a television game show. The top game show is the Running Man. The contestant has to stay alive for 30 days. There's a team of Hunters looking for him with shoot-to-kill instructions, but everyone in America is allowed to kill him if they recognise him in the street. God bless America! You might think it's easy – just hide in a hole for 30 days – but there are rules that prevent it. The contestant has to make a 10 minute video of himself every day and mail it (by letterbox) to the game show. This brings him out into the public, and the location of the letterbox used tells the Hunters where he is.

I enjoyed the film greatly, apart from some problems I had with the ending. I don't want to give away spoilers. Watch it yourself, and leave me a comment telling me what you think.