Paul Verhoeven's classic '80s sci-fi satire RoboCop (of which I've been a huge fan since first seeing it at The London Film Festival in 1987) is stripped down to its chassis, the biting social commentary and extreme ultra-violence removed, and what's left given a state-of-the-art makeover, resulting in a highly polished ultra stylish machine bristling with modifications designed with a much wider audience in mind. And although I will always opt for the original model given the choice, preferring my movies to have more of an edge, I have to say that this particular Hollywood re-imagining isn't anywhere as lame as it looked in early trailers.
Directed by José Padilha, RoboCop 2014's new features include several interesting subplots—OCP's attempts to repeal a political act that prevents the use of robots in the US, corruption in the Detroit Police department, Murphy's relationship with his wife Clare (Abbie Cornish) and son David (John Paul Ruttan), and the numerous moral dilemmas that face scientist Dr. Dennett Norton (Gary Oldman, giving the film's best performance)—plus there's a brand new look and feel for the central character, who is much sleeker in design and can now run, jump and probably even do zumba. While none of this is much of a substitute for death by toxic-waste, Nancy Allen, big cars with really sh**ty gas mileage, and ED209 saying 'You have 20 seconds to comply', we should at least be thankful for small mercies.
6.5 out 10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.
***Edit 4th Jan 2015*** Having just given the film a rewatch, I now rate this a full 7/10.
Directed by José Padilha, RoboCop 2014's new features include several interesting subplots—OCP's attempts to repeal a political act that prevents the use of robots in the US, corruption in the Detroit Police department, Murphy's relationship with his wife Clare (Abbie Cornish) and son David (John Paul Ruttan), and the numerous moral dilemmas that face scientist Dr. Dennett Norton (Gary Oldman, giving the film's best performance)—plus there's a brand new look and feel for the central character, who is much sleeker in design and can now run, jump and probably even do zumba. While none of this is much of a substitute for death by toxic-waste, Nancy Allen, big cars with really sh**ty gas mileage, and ED209 saying 'You have 20 seconds to comply', we should at least be thankful for small mercies.
6.5 out 10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.
***Edit 4th Jan 2015*** Having just given the film a rewatch, I now rate this a full 7/10.