Logan's Run

Rating:
Summary: Logan's Run: No one lives passed 30.
Review: Now this is a science-fiction fantasy! However, if you saw this film as a preteen or teenager, we all thought this was what the near future would look like. The futuristic city sets are fantastic. The most memorable scenes of the film are the futuristic city look of transportation was the best and Farrah Fawcett with the running mascara gave us all boys nice dreams. The cast: Michael York, Richard Joudan, Jenny Agutter, Roscoe Lee Browne, Farrah Fawcett-Majors (She was married to the "Six-Million Dollar Man", Lee Majors at the time), Michael Anderson Jr and Peter Ustinov. People here can not live pass the age of 30. They are not allowed to. When signaled or called upon they must enter "Carousel". If they don't and they hide or run, they are called "runners". Those that enter "Carousel" are destroyed, but people are lead to believe, they are "renewed". Logan is forced in a situation before his time, to run as well. He has to find out if there is a way outside the city they are held in. Great scenes of a nature-taken-over Washington DC. Look closely, use yor "zoom", Peter Ustinov is wearing U.S. Pennies as buttons. Followed by a short-lived tv series "Logan's Run" (1977-1978). On the DVD, a 9-minute featurette is titled "A Look Into The 23rd Century" and theatrical trailer. A very informative and detailed Audio Commentary by Michael Anderson, Michael York and Bill Thomas. One Disc, Full Screen and Wide-Screen.

Rating:
Summary: Watch this film, Runner!
Review: Less than a year before "Star Wars" hit the box-office, "Logan's Run" hit the screens as a bright and highly entertaining sci-fi yarn that starred Michael York and Jenny Agutter. While it wasn't the hit like "Star Wars" came to be, "Logan's Run" still fared well and is now considered a cult classic.

I have never read the novel, but I must say I was intrigued by the film. A great, thought provoking story about how humans had to retreat to domes because of ecological disaster and overpopulation. The story takes another viewing to get the jist of, but it's a great story. Reading other reviews, people have pointed out that the first half is far better; while I agree that the film is good on the whole, the second half was what drew me to the film, especially when they discover Washington, D.C. in ruins (WOW, great production design!).

Peter Ustinov has a co-starring role as the Old Man they find at the D.C. ruins and he's probably the most remarkable actor here. His lines, primarily taken from one of T.S. Elliot's poems, often raise an eyebrow and are quite humorous. Richard Jordan is almost menacing as Logan's pursuer and best friend, Francis 7. Michael York (Basil!!) does a fine job as Logan 5, a sandman who decides to run because he yearns to live past 30 and make a difference.

The production designs and the visual effects are nothing to scoff at either, considering the time period. Ok, so the pastel costume colors are 70ish, but who cares. The visual scope of the film is grand, and you can tell director Michael Anderson was perfect for the job.

Finally, before I conclude this review, I must also commend Jerry Goldsmith for his electronic score. This score often goes unregarded in this prolific composer's career, but I must say that it was a bold experiment into electronics. He composed yet another great score in his career.

Overall, if you can get past the 70s bright colors, this film is a treat. A great sci-fi flick. Don't miss out.

Rating:
Summary: We Came Through The Ice. We Got Past Box.
Review: Logan's Run is the last great science fiction film of its era, before Star Wars came along and changed our idea of what a science fiction film is.

I loved watching this movie in the theater when I was ten, and I still love it. Logan, played by Michael York, lives in and enclosed domed city in the future. This city offers every creature comfort, and plenty of leisure time for its citizens. Logan is a Sandman, and his job is to hunt down and kill runners who do not participate in the ritual of carousel when they turn 30. In this society, it is the belief that there is the possibility of renewal, for those who must die when they turn 30 in the fiery ritual of carousel.

After hunting down and killing a runner, Logan brings back to Sandmen HQ items he retreived from the dead runner, including an Ankh, which is an ancient symbol for life, and also for what is known by the city's computer as Sanctuary. After having seen this movie dozens of times, I wonder if the computer was preprogrammed to allow a Sandman to explore outside the city and bring about the collapse of this enclosed and protected world because conditions outside the dome were acceptable again for humans.

Logan has already seen the Ankh. A woman he met the night before named Jessica, played by Jenny Agutter, was wearing it around her neck. After the Sandmen HQ computer has ordered Logan to find Sanctuary, the computer has changed the crystal in his hand, also known as a life clock to a red that flashes with light, indicating that he has reached last day, and in order to survive, Logan must become a runner too.

Logan asks Jessica for her help, and they go to a plastic surgeon to make Logan look younger. The surgeon finds that Logan is both a Sandman, and a runner, and tries to kill him. After a really bizarre series of events, they escape the city, and to the outside. I loved the scene in this movie where both Jessica and Logan see the sun and the outside world for the first time.

After traveling on foot through a world that is entirely new to them, they stumble upon the ancient ruins of a large city, which they both assume to be Sanctuary.

The best part of the whole movie was when they meet the old man, played by Peter Ustinov, living in what once was our nation's capitol. I loved how Logan relates the story of how they got where they are to the old man, and the old man tells them about the cats that live with him by quoting T.S. Eliot.

After having bought the DVD, and having listened to the commentary, I found that this story was really rooted in 1960's and 1970's culture. It was a common saying, "Never trust anyone over 30." At the end of the story, those who meet the old man for the first time learn that those over 30 can be trusted after all.

Rating:
Summary: A visually stunning sci-fi spectacle
Review: I have fond memories of seeing "Logan's Run" in the theaters many years ago, and am delighted to see this film getting a fine presentation on DVD. Directed by Michael Anderson, the film takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where humans live a hedonistic life in the shelter of a domed city. There's just one catch to this pleasure-oriented utopia: nobody is permitted to live past the age of 30. The title character, played by Michael York, is a Sandman: an elite policeman assigned to kill those who flee the birthday death sentence. But a surprising assignment takes Logan on a voyage that will change him profoundly.

"Logan's Run" is an adventure tale, a love story, a crime drama, a social satire, and a sumptuous visual spectacle all in one. The whole package is superbly enhanced by Jerry Goldsmith's inventive and varied score. This is one of the most visually stylish science fiction films ever made; it's full of scenes that are truly unforgettable.

The film is really grounded by the performances by the superb cast. Michael York and Jenny Agutter make an absolutely enchanting screen couple; the evolution of their characters' relationship is one of the key pleasures of the film. Richard Jordan brings complexity and intensity to his role as a fellow Sandman. And Peter Ustinov is delightfully warm, funny, and loveable in a critical supporting role.

The DVD includes a vintage "making of" featurette, as well as a full-length audio commentary by actor York, director Anderson, and costume designer Bill Thomas. The three discuss casting, stunts, special effects, Peter Ustinov's ad-libbing, and other aspects of making the film. They reveal some fascinating and delightful bits of trivia along the way. This is one of those great commentary tracks that makes you appreciate the film even more.

Rating:
Summary: Groovy Future Romp!
Review: This movie is full of intriguing and refreshing concepts.

For example, in the future, all of of mankind lives inside a city covered up by giant domes and run by a 'nice' computer.

In this city you don't have to do anything except party, do drugs and have sex until you are thirty. After that they finish you off by having you float around inside a giant bug zapper while people laugh.

Those who pass on the bug zapper, get to amuse people by running away from killer policemen with torch guns.

And the fun never ends!

But now to the plot:

Logan is one of those killer policemen guys, but the comp tells him his life is over in ten days unless he can find the secret hideaway all the 'we pass on the bug zapper people' are running to--talk about a 'why me?' moment. Not only that, but the comp doesn't even promise him his life back if he does!

So Logan pretends to be one of the 'run from the zapper people,' (note he doesn't even bother taking off his old policeman clothes to go undercover--but with a proposition like that, why try so hard?).

The rest of the story just rocks!

You'll have to see it for yourself to believe it, but do not the following neatoes:

Keep your eyes open for incidents indicating Logan's best friend, Francis has very 'special feelings' for him.

Also, Logan orders his love interest with what looks like a pay-per-view TV clicker.

Included as well:

Human incubators.

Giant mall-like settings.

Plastic surgery while you wait.

Disco orgies.

Giant aquariums.

Murderous street gangs (yes, they figure in somehow).

And don't forget the talking refrigerator and the naked popsicle people.

And once they do get to the 'outside,' the sole surviving species seems to be, well, I won't tell you what it is, but many people keep them as pets and it starts with a 'C'.

There are A LOT of more groovy things I did not mention, but that you will only be able to experience by seeing this crazy thing called Logan's Run, and yes, I DO want some of that stuff the writers were on when they wrote this.

Rating:
Summary: 70's Sci-Fi at its pre-'Star Wars' finest!
Review: 'Logan's Run' is a great film about the city of a fascistic society in the future where no one is allowed to live past 30, instead they are transformed into dead people by a futuristic lightshow celebrated by the town's inhabitants. The society is controlled by a 'Brave New World' type Bacchanal government, which means you can do what you want, but at 30, make way for others like a good citizen. No one knows that they are actually killed, however.
Logan decides he don't play that game, and goes on the lam with a girl, finding his way outside and past a cheesy robot that likes to store running people as food. The robot is humorous in a 'Black Hole' sort of way, but probably the film's only low point.
The special effects surpass previous 70's sci-fiers (aside from '2001'). This film is perhaps more poignant today than when it was made in the 70's, when now it appears our American society is used to the Bacchanal mind control that was merely in its infancy when this film was made.

Rating:
Summary: Tacky fun
Review: Ok. This is not really a fair review. I have been weaned on this movie since I was very young. I would always catch the end or bits and bobs on TV for years and years. Not util I got the DVD did I see the film for the first time. Shockingly dated, bad special effects and it is very slow in a lot of points. But it does tell a story. One could, if they wished, say that this is a parable for the "ME" generation. How life is over once your 30. How live is about the searching for pleasure. How one person beings to see that life does not end at 30....bla bla bla. But it's just a movie and a fun one. If you could imagine a future designed by the same person who designed all those 70's discos, this is what it would look like.

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Summary: "Logan's Run" RENEWED and Looks Great at 27
Review: This review refers to the WB "snap case" DVD edition of "Logan's Run".......

In a story where your time is running out at 30 years old,this film has been restored beautifully, and in the nick of time! A 27 year old film that has a crystal clear picture and fabulous sound is what you'll find on this DVD.

"Logan's Run" takes place in the year 2274. The whole population lives in a "Domed City", that is Utopian like.Everyone lives blissfully..no one has to fight in wars, no one is homeless, no one is starving, no one has to worry about pollution, and NO ONE is over 30!

Upon turning 30 all citizens of the dome, must go through a spectacular, ritualistic ceremony where they will be "Renewed" by the powers that be.But what happens to these citizens? What about the few that don't want to be renewed and want to grow old? Well, they must go on the run, and it is the job of the "Sandman" to hunt them down and end their lives.

Logan 5 is one of these Sandmen. It is beyond him why anyone would want to get old and sees no problem with shooting down these "runners". That is until it is his turn, and "The Sandman" becomes "The Runner".

Go on the run with Logan 5 and Jessica 6 as they try to find "sanctuary" and discover "life" in the outside world. It's a wonderful cinematic experience with some special effects that were used for the first time in this film and recieved a special academy award for it's visual effects achievemnets.It's not only a thrill ride but a beautiful story as well.

The film stars Michael York as Logan and Jenny Aguttuer as Jessica. You'll also see a young Farrah Fawcett and as the only "OldMan", Peter Ustinov is outstanding.It was directed by Michael Anderson, who gives us a wonderful peek into the future.

As I mentioned above, the DVD transfer is magnificent! The colors jump out at you, and the picture is crystal clear. The sound and soundtrack(remastered in 5.1) is also excellent. This edition has feature length audio commentary by the director and the costume designer(very significant in this film). There is a "Behind The Scenes" look with some commentary by the stars at the time the film was being made. It may be viewed in English or French with subtitles in both. There is another edition, with a few more "extras" and a keep case for only a few dollars more, if you choose.

I don't review alot of Sci-Fi, but there are a few that really stayed with me for many years, this is one of them. The first time I saw this I was not yet 30, and naturally thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Now that I am, well, closer to Ustinov's character, I see it from a new light and still think it's one of the greastest sci-fi flicks around.Now that WB has given it such a beautiful "Renewal", it can be enjoyed by all ages for years to come. It is rated PG, but parents should note that there are some nude scenes.

"Run, Runner, Run" and get this classic Sci-Fi for your collection!....Have fun.....Laurie

Rating:
Summary: Run Runner!!
Review: A great DVD! The commentary track and bonus featurette are a fantastic addition to this great sci-fi classic. Unfortunately, none of the footage tossed by MGM is available, so we will never see the 3 minute love shop scene! This is my personal favorite of classic 70's science fiction, buy it now!!

Rating:
Summary: The most impressive world of Sci-Fi before Star Wars
Review: It has been blasted by those who called it a shopping mall of scantilly clad teenagers, but to this writer it will always be a world of Wonder and a great movie.

I went to see this movie when I was a kid and it was incredible. The scantilly clad women were a big turn on to a little guy like me too !

Basically the World as we know it has fallen into a post apocolyptic computer driven world where everyone's life is directed until they reach 30. Then its the red blinking crystal and either wearing a hocking mask and a red flame uniform or learning how to do the 500K dash in a very fast time.

This movie is impressive in what it says about society and people. No matter how you arrange our lives we need change and diversity. If you try to program us from birth, our natural rebellion will always seek ways to overthrow the status quo.

A very worthwhile fantasy for those who have never seen it, and for the really cheap prices they are asking a bargain !

An all English cast reminds viewers that even though they are in post apocolyptic America, that the English may be all thats left of us ! Also sad is the apparent lack of other racial groups in the film. Perhaps it is a social commentary of movies of that time, or perhaps the producers wanted a uniform future. But to this writer, I would prefer a future that has people of all races alive and well, and I have an English background.

For those who want to enjoy a fantasy, don't take it as being a blueprint of the future.