RoboCop (1987) Review

Verdict
5

Summary

RoboCop remains a classic of the genre and essential for every action fan’s collection; try to track down the X-rated Criterion edition as it’s even more violent. I’d buy that for a dollar!

Plot: In a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg haunted by submerged memories.

Review: The original RoboCop is simply one of the best films of all time; not just in terms of action but the satire, social commentary, hardcore violence and humour all come together perfectly which is why it still stands up after nearly 30 years.

I think Kurtwood Smith as Clarence Bodicker is one of the most terrifying villains in the business; when I saw RoboCop for the first time all those years ago (when I was about 10), I remember being so scared of him. I so young I hadn’t really witnessed such evil on screen before and it really stuck with me. Smith has had a great career since RoboCop but to me, he will always be Clarence.

The score by the late great Basil Poledouris was an instant classic; it sounds futuristic but with a hint of Western thrown in, because as we all know Robo is a futuristic cowboy.

I was lucky enough to meet Peter Weller a few years ago and he was really cool; he does however hate being asked about RoboCop, so if you ever meet him, try asking about one of his other roles.

Weller was RoboCop to me though; the voice, the face and just everything about his performance captured a man who had lost his humanity and was now mostly machine.

Hollywood just isn’t the same without director Paul Verhoeven; he would do things that few other directors would do and he wasn’t afraid to take risks. RoboCop, Total Recall, Hollow Man and Starship Troopers are all hard R action movies but they have that sly sense of humour and satire which was the perfect counterbalance for the violence.

The script is endlessly quotable with some legendary one-liners and digs at Reagan era politics; the mock advertisements are hilarious and few movies before or since have managed to capture the same spirit.

The only flaw with the movie for me is that some of the effects are slightly dated but not enough to detract from the film.

Overall, RoboCop remains a classic of the genre and essential for every action fan’s collection; try to track down the X-rated Criterion edition as it’s even more violent. I’d buy that for a dollar!