"Runner" Review : Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson Deliver Throwback Fun
Independent film company Angel Studios continues its push toward becoming a major Hollywood player with its latest film, "Runner". Scott Waugh directs from a script by Miles Hubley and Tommy White, delivering a throwback to the buddy-action movies that dominated the eighties and nineties.
"Runner" introduces us to former Navy SEAL turned delivery man Hank Malone (Alan Ritchson). A recovering alcoholic, Hank is one of the best couriers in the Australian city where the film takes place.
In the middle of his latest run, Hank is tasked with escorting Ben Bishop (Owen Wilson), who is transporting a healthy liver to a critically ill little girl. However, things are not what they seem, as Hank and Ben are quickly attacked by ruthless mercenaries led by Damian Zaldívar (Rodrigo Santoro), who wants the liver for his own benefit. Naturally, Hank and Ben must overcome their differences and work together to not only complete the delivery but survive.
While I consider myself a believer, I’ve never necessarily bought into the hype surrounding Angel Studios or its business model. However, as a fan of Alan Ritchson and the buddy-action genre, I went into "Runner" with an open mind.
For the most part, the Black List script from Miles Hubley and Tommy White taps into what made classics like The Last Boy Scout and Lethal Weapon work: give audiences two characters who seemingly have nothing in common, put them in a situation where teamwork is a necessity, and let their personalities do the rest.
When we first meet Hank, he’s a hulk of a man, but Runner wisely avoids giving him the expected action-hero introduction. Instead, we see him practicing French and attending an AA meeting. It’s a nice setup that avoids the obvious cliché and gives Ritchson a chance to lead with heart instead of his fists.
Wilson’s introduction, on the other hand, plays directly into the actor’s familiar strengths. Ben has the gift of gab, and Wilson knows exactly how to make that personality both charming and irritating.
Naturally, when the two finally meet, Hank is quickly annoyed by Ben but realizes just as quickly that he needs to keep him alive. Runner works largely because of the chemistry between its two leads, giving both men opportunities to shine without forcing either actor too far outside his wheelhouse.
Kudos to Waugh for allowing the ass-kicking to build slowly before finally letting Ritchson utilize his skill set. I also appreciated that Hank isn’t given superhero-level plot armor. He can deliver a hell of a punch, but he takes his share of hits as well. That vulnerability helps the action maintain some tension instead of turning Hank into an unstoppable killing machine.
Outside of Rodrigo Santoro, who makes for an entertaining villain, the supporting cast largely falls into the familiar character tropes a movie like this requires. But that ultimately isn’t much of a problem because "Runner" knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be.
If its goal was to serve up some old-school buddy-action entertainment with two charismatic stars, 'Runner" easily crosses the finish line.
Final Grade: B
"Runner" is in theaters now.
