Robocop Movie Review (1987)
If you're looking for a classic action movie with a biting satire, "Robocop" might be for you. The film features news anchors reporting current events, an aggressively satirical action movie, and a Cold War-themed board game during commercial breaks. It's full of Reagan-era politics, cutthroat businessmen at war, and local law enforcement as a pawn. And who can blame them? It's a surprisingly good movie for its time.
What Works?
"Robocop" is a complex film with many levels, from social commentary to satire, to action, sci-fi, and comedy. The film is a fun watch if you enjoy a good action movie. Although rated X eleven times, Robocop is still one of the most anarchic movies from 1987. It has everything that makes a great action movie: strong story points, an eccentric villain, and plenty of guns firing. Ultimately, it's a movie worth seeing if you enjoy a fun, slapstick action flick.
"RoboCop" is a landmark film in its era in terms of attitudes toward gender and the divide. A scene in the movie depicts both male and female police officers changing openly. Verhoeven notes on the commentary track that the film tried to make gender neutrality work. The film's creators would eventually return to this concept in "Starship Troopers," another era-defining action movie.
"Robocop" is a film that combines elements of mindless action with emotional substance. While many people expect a mindless action movie, the film integrates an element of emotional substance and overly bloody body horror. It contrasts flesh with steel, anarchy with aggression, and cruelty with violence. The film's strong performances fuel its impact. The movie will become a favorite among action movie goers and you'll have a hard time putting it down.
What Doesn't?
There are many critics who have criticized the remake of RoboCop, but this time around the focus is on Murphy rather than RoboCop's vengeance. While the original movie was more about the morality of A.I. and a human being's right to revenge, the new film focuses on Murphy's quest for redemption and regaining his humanity.
While "RoboCop" embraces a futuristic vision, it is a comedy that also explores modern society. The movie caricatures the extreme evolutions of capitalism, the media's influence, and desensitization to violence and gentrification. It explores the concept of the "hero" and the perception of this figure in society. It is also a thoughtful cultural commentary on the role of media and politics in today's society.
The film's attitude toward gender division was also revolutionary. In one sequence, both male and female police officers are seen changing openly. The filmmakers later went back to this concept with "Starship Troopers."