Runner

Rated PG-13 • Theaters

In this action comedy, no-nonsense military veteran Hank Malone works as a “runner.” He’s the guy who can make sure a sensitive package arrives on time. He’s tasked with delivering a donor liver, and its glib escort Ben Bishop, to the hospital to save the life of a little girl. What starts out as a routine delivery takes a dangerous turn when a gang of criminals tries to steal the liver.

Despite some lackluster marketing, Runner is an entertaining film led by a couple of likable leads. Alan Ritchson’s Hank feels like an action hero straight out of the 1980s, and Owen Wilson plays Ben the way Owen Wilson plays every character. Hank and Ben’s banter might not always sparkle, but it’s definitely amusing. The fight scenes and car chases are competently executed, and the script succeeds in explaining the motivations of both the heroes and the villains.

Runner is rated PG-13 for strong violence, bloody images, and some language. Hank and Ben rack up a high body count as they fight their way to the hospital, and the criminals are proficient at causing carnage. While the violence is pretty high, the bad language is infrequent compared to other action comedies, and there’s no sensuality.

That might have something to do with Runner being distributed by Angel Studios. However, Angel didn’t actually make the movie. They’re just getting it into theaters.

Ritchson, one of the film’s producers, is one of the few Hollywood actors who profess to being Christians. Throughout the movie we catch glimpses of the three nails tattooed to his chest, which are meant to remind him of Jesus’ sacrifice. It’s a fitting visual element in this movie about putting everything on the line for the sake of another.