Essential
Summary
At a whopping five plus hours, this insightful and exhaustive documentary on the making of a cinema classic still feels like it could’ve been longer. It’s that entertaining.
Plot: ROBODOC: THE CREATION OF ROBOCOP is an immersive 4+ hour journey into the making of the seminal sci-fi movie RoboCop (1987). With over 60 cast/crew interviews including: Peter Weller, Paul Verhoeven, Nancy Allen, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, Ray Wise, Ed Neumeier, Michael Miner, Phil Tippett, Jon Davison and many more.
Review: When RoboCop blasted onto screens in 1987, it became a massive hit and a bonafide classic. Critics lauded it for its commentary on modern America and action fans lapped up its mix of dark humour and extreme violence. A new, iconic hero was born.
As the years have gone on, the film’s reputation has only grown so this documentary is an extremely welcome, not to mention admirable, effort.
The makers must be commended for being able to get so much of the crew back after almost 40 years! Special mention must be made of the fact they got Peter Weller involved. A notoriously prickly character, the makers not only got him before the cameras, they got him to open up about the shoot and the day to day difficulties. For anyone who is a Robo fan, (WHO ISN’T?!!) this is insanely brilliant.
Like many films of that era, the doc explores how RoboCop was a perfect, not to mention highly volatile, storm of clashing creative drives and personalities. Dutch director Paul Verhoeven constantly fought with his US crew and producers, and Weller’s eccentricities and methodology of playing the title character pissed off most of his fellow actors. And the constant delay caused by the then first time used effects didn’t help matters either.
All of these dramas, and much more, are discussed in great detail and lovingly recalled by the crew and cast. Other details, like the creation of Robo’s gun and his design, get far more discussion than I would have thought and that’s what makes this doco great. No stone is left unturned.
Made out of love for it’s subject, and filled with hilarious stories (Weller was apparently a massive ladies man back in the day!), RoboDoc is the perfect documentary for any film buff. I was left wanting more!
Well done to the makers. Their effort paid off handsomely.