9 out of 10 stars
Robocop is a remake, or more accurately, a re-imagining of the first movie by the same name. The original Robocop was released in 1987 and was so popular that it spawned two sequels, a mini series, a live action television series, and two animated series.
Robocop is reborn in this 2014 version of the movie starring Joel Kinnaman in the title role. Gary Oldman is, as always, spectacular as Doctor Dennet Norton the creator of Robocop. He shines as the caring and purposeful researcher that ultimately has his hands tied. This movie features the long unseen Michael Keaton as Raymond Sellars the slimy CEO of Omni Consumer Products (OCP). He maneuvers and worms his way through the movie manipulating the characters and events of the story with ease. Abby Cornish does a nice job as Clara, the wife of Alex Murphy.
This new movie has been both updated and reworked to fit in with today’s culture. It still retains the basic premise of the original, but there are some sub-plots added to enhance the story.
The main story is about a police officer named Alex Murphy played by Kinnamen. He is severely injured on the job to the point that he is basically dead. The company called Omni Consumer Products takes Officer Murphy and uses him as a prototype for a new law enforcement program they are developing. They transform Officer Murphy into a cyborg and name him Robocop.
Robocop is a modern day adaptation of the Frankenstein story from the Monster’s point of view. It deals with the loss of humanity and the struggle to regain it. The original movie is very direct and in your face about this theme. Whereas the 2014 movie version takes a more subtle approach. Alex Murphy believes he is still “intact” for lack of a better term. He has to cope with the discovery of the fact that he is not “himself” and find a way to merge his memories with his current situation. This is a more intimate story in the fact that the audience sees how this condition affects his family.
His wife chose to “save his life” with this procedure and signs release papers to begin the process of turning Officer Murphy into the cyborg. After which, the audience sees the reactions and interactions of him, his wife and his son. It is a stark contrast to the original in which Murphy has no choice in the matter and becomes, essentially, an automaton. The only real interaction he has there is with his partner Officer Lewis. She is his lifeline out of that metal cage that is his new body.
Where the original was more focused and local in its setting, the new movie expands the scope into a more global one. Both films begin with a news program. Unlike in the 1987 film, the news show in this current film, hosted by Samuel L. Jackson’s character, shows events from around the globe. He focuses in on a segment from Iraq where one sees enforcement drones patrolling the streets and asks the audience why these are not used here in the United States if they are so effective.
Another location that displays a more global aspect of the story is China, where the facility to construct these drones exists and where ultimately Robocop is built. Still another location in the film is Malaysia. This is where the training facility and proving ground is located. In the original film everything is done within the Detroit city limits, or at least one is led to believe it to be.
In the new version, the public welcomes Robocop with enthusiasm and excitement. It was like the public was anticipating a new model car. This is because OCP had a huge marketing campaign set up and running even before Robocop was completed or even tested. OCP decided to test run the project in Detroit with plans to expand into other markets, meaning cities, if successful. In the original, Detroit was selected because an urban renewal project was in the works on a grand scale called New Detroit. This project was to be erected in the place where Old Detroit stands. Robocop was essentially made to clean up the slums of Old Detroit and then patrol New Detroit. Robocop was dumped into the public spot light surprising the public and thus the public had mixed reactions albeit slightly favorable.
Like in the classic movie, Robocop cannot harm a member of Omni Consumer Products. That was part of his program. This new version takes that idea and expands on it and puts a realistic touch on it. Robocop like the drones he is modeled after, is unable to harm anyone wearing a signal device identifying them as friendly. Without divulging any main plot points, this plays a key role throughout the movie.
Both movies are very entertaining in that there are some touching moments, humor scattered about, and lots of action. I highly recommend seeing both as they have their moments and place in history. Neither one is better nor worse than the other as they both tell essentially the same story from entirely different perspectives. The original is more satirical, whereas the new one is more grounded and more character driven. Both are great popcorn fare and should be enjoyed by science-fiction fans or action aficionados of all calibers. If action is your thing then this is the film to see. Welcome to the future of law enforcement entertainment!
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About Erich Appelhans
Erich is the author of the thriller, Is Love Everlasting? He has a BA in Communications from Colorado State University. He lives in Arvada, Colorado with his cat, who always tries to help him with his writing. He enjoys watching movies, writing poetry, or reading a great book. Follow Erich on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/erichswritingspot. Get his book at Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/410406
About Erich Appelhans