Runaway

PG-13

1984

1h 40m

Sci-Fi

List

46%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

33%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

In this advanced society, most homes have robots that perform everyday menial duties. Every so often, one malfunctions, and Sgt. Jack Ramsay (Tom Selleck), an expert in rogue machines, must deal with it. When he and his new partner, Karen Thompson (Cynthia Rhodes), investigate a robot-involved homicide, they discover strange computer chips. Rather than a malfunction, someone is programming the robots to kill. The police must find whoever is behind the murder before more harm is done.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

As exciting as Runaway is in the beginning, the film quickly degenerates into a routine chase picture, freshened only by one of Luthor's gadgets -- heat-seeking bullets that are programmed to strike only a person with a specific body chemistry.

Rated: 2/4

May 28, 2021

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Lady-cop-robo-fun. Nothing really profound here but who cares?

Nov 5, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

This Michael Crichton robotic nightmare is so trite that the story seems lifted from Marvel Comics.

Jul 22, 2008

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a step down from Crichton’s Westworld, although a remake-reboot isn’t the worst idea, if only to improve on a fairly questionable set of physical effects here…

Rated: 2/5

Apr 25, 2024

Full Review

John Brosnan

Starburst

Runaway is definitely entertaining in its own silly way.

Jul 22, 2022

Full Review

Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

A wooden, cliched cop movie with the tiniest sliver of a sci-fi twist, Runaway stars Tom Selleck and Cynthia Rhodes and features Gene Simmons, cast against type as a sleazeball.

Rated: 1.5/5

Mar 30, 2021

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Jeffrey W

Gene Simmons plays a terrific villain

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

DanTheMan 2

Runaway sees Tom Selleck once again playing catch-up with a Harrison Ford role, this time doing his best Blade Runner crossed with good old Magnum PI. Honestly, the film isn't that far removed from our reality nowadays with the steady automation of seemingly everyday and mundane tasks, just minus the cool robots. Though it may induce a bit of unintended laughter, Michael Crichton offers up a solidly directed and enjoyable slice of 80s sci-fi; combined with a fantastic score by Jerry Goldsmith, Crichton's enormously entertaining writing and his periodically (and impressively) farsighted approach to its sci-fi tech, keep the film grounded and the action ramping up when needed. The film boasts real earnest performances from its cast, Selleck delivering a solid leading man role as a troubled single father alongside the lovable Cynthia Rhodes as his partner. Still, it's Gene Simmions as the villain Luther who is the real highlight, just oozing evil and relishing every moment in the role. Despite a handful of narrative lulls, Runaway is a real cult classic for those looking for our Blade Runner fix, it's Magnum PI gone Magnum AI.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/03/24

Full Review

Chip C

Gene Simmons plays the ultimate villain to Tom Selleck's everyday hero.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/24

Full Review

Steve D

A bit dated but still quite fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/24/23

Full Review

jonathan l

Classy retro 80's take on the future....not too far from the truth

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bad makeup, bad costuming, bad writing, hammy acting, etc. The only nice thing that can be said about it is that the effects were decent for the year it was made. As usual for movies about technology, the tech is poorly presented onscreen. The only real reason to watch the movie is to catch Tom Selleck, Gene Simmons or Kirstie Alley in a role you haven't seen them in before. With that box checked, you can say you never need to see it again.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

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Michael Crichton

Director

Tom Selleck

Ramsay

Cynthia Rhodes

Thompson

Gene Simmons

Luther

Kirstie Alley

Jackie

Stan Shaw

Marvin

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Synopsis

In this advanced society, most homes have robots that perform everyday menial duties. Every so often, one malfunctions, and Sgt. Jack Ramsay (Tom Selleck), an expert in rogue machines, must deal with it. When he and his new partner, Karen Thompson (Cynthia Rhodes), investigate a robot-involved homicide, they discover strange computer chips. Rather than a malfunction, someone is programming the robots to kill. The police must find whoever is behind the murder before more harm is done.

Director: Michael Crichton
Producer: Michael I. Rachmil
Screenwriter: Michael Crichton
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Delphi III Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

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