Directed by:
Paul VerhoevenCinematography:
Jost VacanoComposer:
Basil PoledourisCast:
Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, Robert DoQui, Ray Wise, Felton Perry, Paul McCrane, Calvin Jung (more)VOD (5)
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Part Man, Part Machine, All Cop. RoboCop, from Orion Pictures, marked director Paul Verhoeven’s Hollywood debut and instantly became an enduring sci-fi/action classic when it landed in theaters in the summer of 1987. Verhoeven’s peerlessly exciting and kinetic visuals were matched by a sharp script, iconic cast and exceptional special effects by Rob Bottin and Phil Tippett. The film takes place in Detroit in the not-too-distant future. Heroic cop Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is gunned down in the line of duty, only to be resurrected as RoboCop - a cybernetic mix of spare human parts and Motor City steel, and the latest defense against crime designed by the all-powerful OCP Corporation. As RoboCop’s memories of his former life as Murphy resurface, only his ex-partner (Nancy Allen) stands beside him to fight against the vicious thugs responsible for his death, as well as a nefarious top-level OCP executive orchestrating the chaos from above. (Arrow Films)
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Reviews (8)
RoboCop is exemplary primarily in its exceptionally well-executed genre colouring. Few succeed in implementing the darkness of the environment and, above all, the emphasis on blood and brutality in high-tech sci-fi as effectively. Cameron partially achieved that in the Terminator series, and Verhoeven precisely accomplishes it here. Technically skillful, decently acted – the villains in quality supporting roles and the atmosphere are top-notch. But what you appreciate the most is the director, his signature can be seen in every one of his films. This applies one hundred percent to RoboCop.
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Another sci-fi classic from the 80s. It may be far behind Cameron's Terminator, but Verhoeven shows his flair for the genre introducing a new iconic action hero to the world. In some moments, of course, it's clear that this film is no longer one of the youngest, but the imaginative and typically Verhoeven gory action scenes make up for it. The future is portrayed quite soberly, without flying cars or buildings, which the visual effects crew probably didn't feel like doing anyway. Instead, we see grim streets filled with violence, burglary and rape, the resolution of which is a routine and relaxed affair for RoboCop, much like going number two is for us. This film won't captivate or surprise, but it will always entertain. 75%
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Cleverly humorous, 80s-style simple, one-sided in tone, markedly satirical, and excessively over-the-top in Paul Verhoeven fashion. And yet, despite all that, it is somehow irresistible. The idea of an almost unbeatable police officer, whom the viewer will passionately support, is surprisingly well-executed, aided most by Peter Weller's perfectly grim expression and the brilliantly straightforward heroic musical theme. And it is exactly the exaggerated social satire that gives all the action a slightly higher dimension.
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Meat and metal classic. Verhoeven reinforced the action time with a bloated can with his favorite news shots, which, from the point of view of the whole, are actually completely unnecessary, but in addition to the classic spectacle, they construct a rather disturbing storyline of the collapsing world of the future. Motives such as the abuse of the police by the private sector and tensions between owners and unions do lag behind, but they also functionally complete the atmosphere. It's straightforward, but it digs so hard with its brutality and foresight that one still feels the slight stomach vibrations from the time when he devoured it like a child in silent amazement.
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In Verhoeven’s hands, a B-movie premise turned into a not entirely B-movie result, with some satire popping up here and there, but I still can’t decide whether I liked RoboCop or not. I think it could be done a lot better and smarter. I would love to see that remake from Aronofsky that people were talking about at some point.
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Gallery (123)
Photo © Orion Pictures Corporation
![RoboCop - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/159/717/159717153_cca8d8.jpg)
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