Robocop

Rating:
Summary: The version to have!
Review: The Criterion collection version of this film is definately worth having if you're a fan of this film. Right from the outset the menus are excellent and laid out just right. There are all sorts of extras on this disc with no end of little trivia bits to amuse friends with. The uncut version of the film gives it a whole new novelty, and the commentry explains why scenes were edited and so on. There is quite a good box set available in the UK with all three films on, but if, like me you thought the other two were naff, then get this DVD. Its pakaging is classy and it is even signed on the front by Paul Verhoven to say its unrated!
The only thing that lets it down a little, is the sound is not in full 5.1. It is in surround though, and you'd be hard pressed to know that it wasn't 5.1. How good does ED209's feet sound thudding at full volume!

Rating:
Summary: Future of Law Enforcement!
Review: The first Robocop is definitely the best and the Criterion Edition only makes it better. Yeah it's a little on the expensive side for only a couple more minutes of features. But if you're a fan of this movie it's worth the money.

Peter Weller makes the perfect cop turned perfect robotic cop in this science fiction thriller. The gore factor is typical of Verhoven and can detract from the film if visions of blood get you queasy easily. But if not the film has some interesting deep seeded messages brought out through the commentary. Who would know that Robocop is actually a Christ figure? I thought those literary images only popped up in high school novels.

Anyways, classic action sci-fi film, a must for any true action collection.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best films of the 80's
Review: I think Robocop is a beautiful piece of film. It works on many levels whether it be a satirical 80's social commentary, comic book hero flick, or avenging angel story. Being Verhoeven's first American production I still think its his BEST film yet. Few films can be pungently violent, over the top, and still pull it off as convincing, Robocop is one of them. Vacano's framing and lighting is brilliant and so is Verhoeven's masterful layered storytelling. I love the final frame,

".....Whats your name son?"

"Murphy"

Absolutely beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Satirical Fun and Bloody Carnage...[poor] Criterion DVD
Review: The unrated director's cut really isn't that spectacular. I'd rather not see Murphy's hand disappear in a cloud of blood, or see some exec shot to hell 1000 times more than he should've been, or see a guy doused in toxic waste disintegrate on a car. Those things just aren't that special.

The commentary saves the disc though. It's a great track, one of Verhoeven's best. The storyboards are mediocre, the film-to-storyboard comparison is ok, and the illustrated making-of isn't much fun.

All in all, a classic movie that everyone should own. Expecially for it's satirical take on the Reagan era. But buy the regular version, don't waste your money on this DVD.

Rating:
Summary: The Future of Law Enforcement
Review: Made in 1987, this film paints a rather bleak picture of the future in it's depiction of the escalation of crime in a major metropolitan area (in this case, the city of Detroit), but what's really disconcerting watching it now is the fact that the reality of today seems to be catching up and closing in on this fictional future all too quickly. And it's a scary proposition when you think about it, which makes 'Robocop,' an action/drama directed by Paul Verhoeven, something of a cautionary tale, as well as engrossing entertainment.

Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is a veteran police officer, newly assigned to crime infested 'Old Detroit,' which is about to undergo a major renovation. Plans are on the board for a multi-million dollar new city, but first the vermin who control the present city have to be eliminated. Toward that end, OCP, the major corporation apparently controlling just about everything (including the police department), are about to unveil a new kind of 'policeman,' that will make the 'Murphy's' of the force nothing more than support units. What they're proffering is an ominous looking robot, the 'Ed-209,' touted by OCP Vice President Dick Jones (Ronny Cox) as the law enforcement of the future.

An up-and-comer with OCP, Bob Morton (Miguel Ferrer), has ideas of his own, however, that involve a project he's been trying to implement that would feature yet a different kind of 'future cop.' And when a demonstration of Ed-209 goes awry, Morton makes his move, pitching his plan to 'The Old Man' (Dan O'Herlihy), the CEO of OCP. Murphy, meanwhile, on his first day of duty in Old Detroit, is brutally gunned down and killed (or is he?) by a gang of criminals lead by one Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith). Bad for Murphy, good for Morton, however, who proceeds to turn Murphy into a prototype of his vision of the future of law enforcement. Enter 'Robocop,' half human, all cyborg. Good for Detroit, bad for criminals, especially Boddicker and his gang. Because somewhere deep inside of what's left of Murphy, is a glimmer of memory. And Boddicker's face was the last thing he ever saw.

Going into this project, Verhoeven definitely had a vision of what he wanted this film to be. That vision was dark and violent, and he succeeded in bringing it to fruition, in grand and graphic style. The finished product is extremely violent and at times unpleasant to watch; but it's also riveting filmmaking, and quite effective. it works because Verhoeven gives you more than just a gore-fest; despite the graphic violence (the scene in which Murphy is gunned down, for example, is beyond brutal), he keeps the human element at the heart of the story. He never lets you forget that beneath all that armor there is-- or was-- a man. And he gives you just enough background of Murphy's personal life to make you care about him, and it makes what happens to him all the more disturbing. On the other side of the coin, his villains are despicable, and you get to a point where you can't wait for Robocop to mete out the justice they so readily deserve. Verhoeven's presentation is solid and cohesive, perfectly complementing the action with the drama, which affords the audience a satisfying cinematic experience. And quite an experience it is.

In a challenging role, Peter Weller succeeds in his portrayal of this man-turned-machine; in lesser hands, Robocop may have been nothing more than a machine with a bit of flesh beneath the metal, but Weller plays to the man inside, rather than the machine that encases him, and it makes a huge difference in the way the character is perceived. Weller's performance enables the audience to become emotionally involved with the 'Murphy' he presents, rather than offering just a soulless 'Robocop,' which from an action standpoint would have been fine, but would have diminished the drama and the overall impact of the film. Obviously, this is something Verhoeven and Weller realized, and in the final analysis, it was their collaboration and like-minded approach to the character that made this film really work.

Another interesting aspect of this film is that there are three significant villains, each plying their own unique brand of treachery, and all effectively presented by the actors portraying them. Cox epitomizes the unscrupulous corporate executive, who cares less about the service or product he can provide than the 'bottom line,' while Ferrer's Morton is an insufferable snake. The worst of the bunch, however, is Smith's Boddicker, the kind of villain you love to hate, but who is also unsettling upon reflection, as his outward appearance so subtly masks what a truly evil individual he is. You hate to think that there are really people like this walking around free in the world.

Also turning in memorable performances are Nancy Allen, as Murphy's partner, Anne Lewis; Ray Wise, as Leon Nash, one of Boddicker's bunch; and Paul McCrane, as Emil, another of Boddicker's men (McCrane is especially good at creating characters you despise, as he does with his portrayal here, and currently as Dr. Romano is TV's 'ER').

The supporting cast includes Robert DoQui (Sergeant Reed), Felton Perry (Johnson), Jesse D. Goins (Joe), Del Zamora (Kaplan), Calvin Jung (Minh), Rick Lieberman (Walker), Lee de Broux (Sal), Mark Carlton (Miller) and Edward Edwards (Manson). Hard-edged, thought-provoking, visceral entertainment, 'Robocop' is a film you may have to steel yourself a bit for, but it's well made and delivered, and ultimately, a mesmerizing cinematic experience that far exceeds the typical action genre formula. It's violent, but then again, so is real life; and this is one of Life's stories.

Rating:
Summary: An Nearly Perfect Violent Sci-Fi Classic.
Review: In the Near Futute from the City of Detroit. The Major Business Technology Company-OCP Want to Bulit the Perfect Cop by Making a Cyborg. One Day, Police Officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) has been Killed by a Murdering Gang of Thieves (Led by Kurtwood Smith). The OCP use Body Parts from Alex for Thier Division, when OCP actually Succeed by Making the Cybercop is Success with the Law and Becoming the Ultimate Defender of Justice until the Mind of Alex has Resurrected and Taking Revenge on the Thugs, Who Killed Him.

Directed by Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Starship Troopers) made a Thrilling Well Made Extremely Violent Film. Written by Micheal Miner and Edward Neumeier brings also a Clever and Often Funny Script. This is a Visual and also Stylized Cop Thriller. This was a Surprise Box Office Hit in the Summer of 1987. The Visual Effects are Created and Supervise by Two Time Oscar-Winner:Phil Tippet are Excellent, one of the High-Lights is Robot Villain ED-209 is a WOW! The Latest DVD Edition from MGM/UA has Digitally Remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (The Original R-Rated Version) but No Extras (Expect an Tralier). But MGM/UA are making an Special Edition on DVD Soon. Followed by Two Sequels. Grade:A-.

Rating:
Summary: Lights! Camera! Action! Action! and more Action!
Review: I first saw this movie when it was originally released in 1987. I did not see any previews for this picture before I went to the theater. so, I remember entering the movie curious on what to expect.

On the big screen back in 1987, I was extremely impressed with the special effects, especially the "ED-209" robot. The sound vibrated the theater and I left that night loving the action of the movie. I also remember liking the humor within the movie. I watched it several times since then on video, but each time I did not have the same feeling of "Wow!" since my original viewing. The movie lost a lot on the T.V. screen.

I haven't watched the movie for a least 5 years, so I recently just rented the DVD version. The director added in few extra scenes, mostly adding more blood and gore. The acting is still overboard, the violence still excessive and the special effects still impressive...but I love it. The writing is similar to a Army of Darkness film.

This is a sci-fi, action, comedy movie(if there is such a category!.) And it is still fun to watch after all these years.

Rating:
Summary: More than just a tin can...
Review: Paul Verhoven's 1987 blockbuster combines heroics and satire to tell its futuristic story. Police Officer Murphy (Peter Weller) is killed in the line of duty. However, thanks to the murky dealings of the Omni Consumer Products Corporation, Murphy is brought back to life as a cyborg to fight crime. Now known as Robocop, Murphy must fight crime, using a unique arsenal while at the same time struggle to rediscover his humanity. Nancy Allen plays Murphy's partner and Robo's only real ally. The movie also has some fine supporting performances from Ronny Cox, Dan O'herlihy, and Kurtwood Smith. But it is Weller who keeps this movie grounded, even with its upped violence quotient, you can still find some humanity.

I personally don't have a problem with the movie's violent and bloody content. The unrated cut that is contained on Criterion Collection is not that much different from the theatrical cut. The script is filled with a lot of satire and inside humor This is something that Verhoven uses very effectively, especially for the Media Break sequences. The film's action and effects are well done and given the content, are never over done, in my opinion.

The folks at Criterion have put together a pretty good DVD. There is a commentary track fromVerhoven, screenwriter Ed Neumeier, and producer Jon Davison. It also has storyboarded scences, an illustrated essay, and trailers. The commentary is the highlight though. It is both informative and entertaining. The rest of the extra stuff is good but didn't really add anything. The film may be violent but it holds up very well.and remains a true classic

Rating:
Summary: Takes itself seriously, but has funny moments too
Review: This movie is quite violent. It has a good story. It is interesting to watch someone deal with being turned into a robot. I like the stop-motion animation of the ED-209 robot. It also has some interesting Christian symbolism. There's some gross stuff like when the guy gets the toxic waste dumped on him and starts melting, and Verhoven likes to make things over-the-top bloody.

Rating:
Summary: The Story of a Man - A Machine - A Robocop!
Review: Believe me when I say that this is NO regular action movie. This is the emotional story of a man, a cop, and a loving father.

When Detroit cop, Alex Murphy, tries to capture the known fellen, Clarence Boddicker, he fails, and gets shooten to death by Boddicker and his men. When Murphys scream is heard all over the factory, the villains laugh with no sense of emotions what so ever. The loving father will never again return home to his wife and son, but they couldn't care less.

Murphy is then taken to a hospital. His body is dead, but his mind is still alive. Flashbacks comes to his head. He sees his son infront of the TV, smiling. He sees his wife, also smiling at him. He knows he'll never ever seen them again....

A company called OCP, are working on a "Robocop" project, led by a man named Bob Morton, to make an artificial robot. Everything on his body is metall, but his mind is still the same.

After a while being Robocop, Murphy starts getting flashbacks from the day of his death. He sees his killer infront of him ... He knows he'll never have peace with himself until he gets his revenge...

Robocop is a film that you must see. Many people have this rule of judging movies by their title before even having seen them. ... I admit, Robocop is a cheesy title, but what about "Superman" or "Batman". They're both just as cheesy. Also, many people complain about all the violence in this movie, but in my opinion, I think its necessary to really show how bad Murphy is tortured! If this movie had been like Robocop 3, it would never have been the same! The violence and the swearing makes this movie more lifelike. People DO swear in real life, and people DO get shot in real life, and thats why Robocop is so good, because it totally reflects reality as we know it!

Peter Weller IS Robocop. Just as much as Christopher Reeve is Superman and Michael Keaton is Batman! Weller was THE number one choice for Robocop, and I'm glad they cast him. He makes this movie come to life. His facial expressions at the end are what I like the most. They will bring tears to your eyes...

I'm not gonna review the DVD, but I gotta tell you that its pretty good. The only complaint that I have is the grain in the alternate sequences in the Directors Cut version! Other than that, the featurettes, trailers, the commentary, the deleted scenes, and the storyboards will keep you entertained for hours!

Get this movie, or there will be trouble!