Logan's Run

<<

Catching Up

>>

Going back to 1976 for this one, it may not be too big of a surprise to people that this was one I never got around to seeing. I'm not sure a lot of my friends have even seen it. But it was always a well enough known title.

For those totally unfamiliar with it, it's probably a story that you've heard of nonetheless. Basically there's a population of people who live under a giant dome, and essentially live in their own pleasure paradise.

Every so often, there is an event called "Carrousel"; a cult-like event where everyone who is about to turn 30 goes into a sort of arena, and get to "Renew" (in other words, they get killed off because no one in this society ages over 30, but they think they get to come back as a newborn). The whole process is this weird, trippy UFO abduction-looking deal. Only instead of going up into some sort of spaceship, they pretty much just explode one by one.

Throughout this whole society, there are those who get scared near the end, so decide to run. Meanwhile, a team of soldiers called "Sandmen" (who apparently shoot worse than Storm Troopers) are meant to stop them. At one point, one of the Sandmen named Logan (Michael York) is put on a secret mission to pose as a runner, and find "Sanctuary" outside of the dome. Sanctuary being where the Runners believe they can get to if they skip Carrousel.

It's an interesting film that's pretty much split into two parts. The first part involves the initial mission, and getting outside of the Dome. The second half, and frankly better half, involves what they pair manage to find outside of the Dome. It may be strange to some that I like the second half so much more. The first half is pretty action-packed while the second is more of a pleasant surprise in story-telling.

I won't go into too much detail about what is found on the outside, but among what is discovered ends up being a very likable character, who's sort of crazy about cats, and you'd swear must have voiced Mr. Magoo at some point. Along with this, is the intrigue that the two have about what exactly it is they're taking in. With their limited lives in the Dome, there's so much they have never seen.

All in all, it IS a pretty damn dated movie as far as the action and special effects are concerned. It's enough that you can easily laugh your ass off at someone who gets shot because it looks so silly. But I have to admit that the overall story was something I was impressed with. It's an interesting concept when you have characters who have been locked away for so long interact with what we know as the modern world. It's what made that 'Room' movie so entertaining. And games like 'The Last of Us' do it, but more as though it was a life a character never got to be a part of.

Overall painfully dated to watch. Like, 'Mystery Science Theater' material. But with the story being interesting enough, and the action sequences being entertaining enough (even if the entertainment we're getting is laughing at it) that I can't help but really enjoy it in my own way. It's bad enough to be considered "so bad it's good" in some ways, but in other ways, the story is basically timeless. If you have a couple of hours to spare, get a group together and check it out. It's actually entertaining on several levels.

3/5

---