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I do believe that the retro buddy action film is making a grand comeback. Look, I’ve always been one to hook on to the nostalgia train especially as I get older but there’s nothing like a full-blown action epic featuring two guys at odds with each other who eventually come together to kick the snot out of the bad guys. Alan Ritchson is an action star and a star reminiscent of Stallone and Schwarzenegger back in the 80’s and while he doesn’t follow the same path as those icons, he’s managing to cement a legacy that checks all the boxes for fans of the genre. Teaming up with Hollywood nice guy Owen Wilson is a chef’s kiss, and the film Runner throws it back to the elite era of buddy actioners while paving its own path at the same time.
From stunt pro turned filmmaker Scott Waugh (Act of Valor, Expendables 4), Runner comes to us from Angel Studios which is a faith-based movie company but unlike some earlier efforts of this subgenre, they don’t hit you over the head with the faith aspect but instead sprinkles it throughout including adding those important ingredients to the plot of the film. There will be many reviews out there that will dismiss this film as forgettable and cliche but if you’re the target audience for it like I am, it’s one hell of a fun time.
For those of you expecting Alan Ritchson to ooze Reacher personality will be sorely disappointed as here he is a flawed, damaged man who has made very bad choices with his life as well as his family. Ritchson stars as Hank Malone, who when we meet him, is a recovering alcoholic and former Navy SEAL, who works as a driver for hire in Australia. Think of Statham’s Transporter but not as exciting. Well, at least till now. Hank is a loner with a heart and when his latest job comes at him, he will learn that it’s going to be a very bad day but one that just might lead to redemption for his past sins.
Owen Wilson stars as Ben Bishop an organ transplant courier who enlists Hank to deliver a very rare kidney to a little girl who will die if not received. You see, she has a very rare blood type, labeled gold blood, and there are many who will kill for it. It just so happens that Damian Zaldivar (Rodrigo Santoro), who is a very bad man running a crew of killers, wants the kidney but it’s not for reasons that you think and that’s one of the aspects that separates Runner from more traditional action fare and I’ll let you find out for yourself what that reason is.
What transpires is a clock ticking race against time with a little girl’s life hanging in the balance and when all is said and done, the bullets will fly, the bones will break and you might just shed a tear when all the dust settles. Waugh has received criticism throughout his career as he has directed a few misfire including Expendables 4 (which I will defend to my dying day) but I believe that he is in an elite group of stunt masters who have segued into filmmaking and knows how to shoot action and make it bombastic, brutal and relentless.
Runner mainly works because of the chemistry between its two stars with Ritchson perfectly playing the stoic gentle giant to Wilson’s talkative and annoying nice dude who likes anyone he meets from the very first minute. Wilson, now in his 50’s does scale the attitude back here but it works and his persona that he’s known for still comes across and his verbal battles with Ritchson work for the most part and they are believable together as they are essentially yin and yang. Runner manages to firmly stick with the tried-and-true buddy action tropes and while there isn’t anything new here, it still works effectively because Ritchson and Wilson carry it on their shoulders. I just wish that the film was a little longer so we could get more interaction between them, but what we do get is retro gold and some genuine, funny moments including the best scene where Hank and Ben visit the former’s ex-wife while all bloody and bruised and holding a parrot.
Now, it’s important to note that Runner is PG-13 and coming from Angel Studios, the film is loaded with action and incredible stunts, but the blood and death is limited as to what you see. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work but if you’re one of those that need body parts exploding onscreen then you’re out of luck. You can have well-choreographed, breakneck action sequences with toned down violence. Waugh utilizes his team to the fullest and all the tricks of his trade as we are treated to several chaotic firefights, car chases and pretty impressive and brutal fisticuffs including a savage altercation between hank and Damian that is ferocious, fast paced and chaotic. Throw in a crowd-pleasing battle between Hank and his assailants at Damian’s lair that infuses some Hong Kong style action design brilliance and the action here is fierce, immersive and even visceral even though you don’t necessarily see bullets hit bodies or blood spray for ten feet. Those of you that complain about action movies simply need to educate yourselves more and watch more movies. there are countless examples of PG-13 film kicking dubious amounts of ass.
Ritchson, along with his career making performance on Reacher, has firmly cemented himself as an elite action star and what makes him special is that he looks like he’s chiseled out of stone but also can come across as sympathetic and extremely likable in any role he does. Ritchson owns any action scene he does and when he executes his moves and goes in for the kills, it comes across as top tier and makes me think of a battering ram driving through bodies. At the same time, during the quitter moments, he reels you in with his soft personality and likable qualities. I’m excited to see what he does in the future whether it’s action or something else as he’s truly become a Hollywood leading man.
I mentioned in my title that Runner does throw it back to the glory days of buddy action, but it also doesn’t conform to the norm. I applaud Waugh and company for delivering an exciting and adrenaline pumping retro flick but at the same time, the movie pulls a 180 and goes off into a completely different direction. I won’t spoil things of course but let’s just say that the finale will leave you with the feels as well as the tingles all at the same time. While a certain aspect of what transpires does suck, it still serves the plot and makes the viewer feel a little.
Runner isn’t looking to reinvent the buddy action movie but at the same time, it just may surprise you. There is no convoluted story or heavy-handed messages as it just wants to be a fun, full tilt actioner with a heart of gold. Yes, this does hail from Angel Studios, and knowing that, there are messages of faith, heart and humanity peppered in with the hardcore, violent action, but like I said, it never becomes preachy or subversive and in your face. Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson are great t, and a key reason this movie works as well as it does, but don’t overlook Scott Waugh’s impressive direction throughout. Runner is a by-the-numbers action movie, but way more fun than I expected.
Overall, RUNNER establishes itself as a full throttle throwback to the elite era of buddy action while managing to pave a new path at the same time. Filled with humor, heart and, most importantly, breakneck action sequences and tier one stunts, there’s hardly a moment to catch your breath. Alan Ritchson is, without question, a true hardcore action star reminiscent to what we had in the 80’s & 90’s and he crushes it here. Owen Wilson continues to charm and reminds us why we love him so much. Don’t let the fact that this is technically a faith-based project deter you from watching as the payoff gives you massive bang for your buck. If you’re a fan of action films with a message, then look no further.
VERDICT: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS
