When I was one year and one month old Logan's Run was released to theaters. Why is that important? It isn't really, but it does place me in time with relation to when this movie was state of the art with groundbreaking effects (which actually won the film an Oscar). I was first introduced to the film sometime during the 1990s; I forget exactly when, but I was fascinated by it. The story was interesting, the characters fascinating, and the look, well, it's distinctly 1970s. However, it has been some years since my last viewing. What does this mean? Simple — I do not recall many details of the film. The closest I have come is noticing similarities in Michael Bay's The Island, which actually more closely resembles another '70s film, Clonus: The Parts Horror.
As I watch Logan's Run now in 2009, the film does appear dated. From the opening models to the sparse set design to any number of things — the look has not aged all that well. On top of that, the story, while interesting and nuanced, seems a lot thinner on the surface than I recall. Still, there is something about it that's hypnotic, engrossing, and it is still very easily watchable. The tale is a timeless one, despite the look, and it's quite easy to relate to. I could easily imagine a situation along these lines coming to fruition in the future. Besides, it is not like they set their future time to be the year 2000 — the film is set in 2274, meaning it is still possible for this potential to develop into a reality.
In any case, this future society is set up in a fashion that should be familiar to just about anyone. Everyone wears the same type of outfits, with colors signifying their place within society and they live in a great domed city. It is quite Utopian and everyone seems to be happy, without a care in the world. The one catch is that once you reach 30 you are required to go to Carousel for something called renewal. Set up something like the Roman Coliseum, the 30-year-olds enter the arena where they float up into the air where they burst into flames and are gone. The thought is that since there is limited space in the dome, when someone is born, someone must be removed. Renewal symbolizes rebirth as those who burst into flames will come back as a newborn.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments
1 - New Jersey
Good review. As science fiction, the 3 decades old movie sets are way old, but the concept behind the movie is still over the top. The Sandmen can have any woman in the city. Great for them I guess, not so great for the babes when a Sandman shows up. But the concept of living past 30 when the Who blasted out tunes shouting "I want to die before I get old" was uncool to many young people. Escaping from "the man" when your time was up and breaking out of the city to the outside world is still a hit. I've actually been waiting for a new version of Logan's Run... it's a great concept.