Runaway (1984 film)

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This article is about the 1984 Tom Selleck film. For other uses, see Runaway.

Runaway
Runaway movie poster
Directed by	Michael Crichton
Produced by	Michael I. Rachmil Lisa Faversham (associate producer) Kurt Villadsen (executive producer)
Written by	Michael Crichton
Starring	Tom Selleck Gene Simmons Cynthia Rhodes Kirstie Alley G. W. Bailey
Music by	Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography	John A. Alonzo
Editing by	James Coblentz
Distributed by	TriStar Pictures
Release date(s)	December 14, 1984
Running time	99 min.
Country	United States
Language	English
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Runaway is a 1984 action film starring Tom Selleck, Gene Simmons and Cynthia Rhodes. This film also has Kirstie Alley in one of her early roles. The film was written and directed by Michael Crichton. The original music score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith. The film was marketed with the tagline "It is the future. Machines intended to do our work are programmed to turn against us. Someone must stop the madman who started it all."

[edit] Description

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Typically for a Crichton work, this movie deals with how technology can have devastating and sinister consequences. Runaway is set in the near future, where robots have become commonplace and a part of everyday life. Sgt. Jack R. Ramsay (Selleck) is a member of a special division of the police force which deals with robots which go haywire, or become "runaways".

Ramsay stumbles upon integrated circuit templates for killer robots. Dr. Charles Luther (Simmons) is the mastermind developing an army of homicidal robots which use the circuits. Luther not only developed the deadly templates, but can seem to tap into any computer network and turn them to his advantage.

With his new partner, Karen Thompson (Rhodes), Ramsay attempts to track down Luther and apprehend him. Their attempts are continually foiled, however, by Luther's army of insidious robots. His small "spider" robots can get into almost any facility and can climb almost any surface, so they can easily hide before attacking their intended victims - and the spiders are just one variety of robot assassin.

Eventually Ramsay makes a deal with Luther to turn over the templates by meeting him at the top of an unfinished skyscraper. Through luck and quick thinking, Ramsay is able to trick Luther's spider robots into turning on their creator, killing him.