Rating: 
Summary: Don't throw that Criterion DVD out just yet...
Review: Since I've already reviewed the single-disc versions of RoboCop (Criterion Collection edition, dated July 18, 2002 at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1559408898/qid%3D1090823802/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-5229942-8183256), RoboCop 2 (July 25, 2004 at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001VTPW2/ref=cm_aya_asin.title/002-5229942-8183256?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance) and RoboCop 3 (July 26, 2004 at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001VTPWC/ref=cm_aya_asin.title/002-5229942-8183256?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance), I'm gonna spend the vast majority of this review covering the RoboCop 1 extended edition disc and its extra features, and make comparisons and contrasts between it and the Criterion Collection version DVD.
And away we go...
While the picture in the MGM box set version of `Robo 1' is not quite as grainy as the Criterion edition, it's also a fair deal darker-- which doesn't help out the nighttime and low-lit scenes, `natch. The remastered 5.1 soundtrack mix adds a few new layers of sound to the movie that have never been heard before. I noticed the sound difference when I did a side-by-side comparison of the Murphy death scenes on both DVDs. The MGM box set version featured more screams of agony from our ill-fated hero than what could be heard in the Criterion rendition. And before you ask: yes, doing side-by-side comparisons of my fave DVD movies is something I consider "fun". Hey, you didn't think I attained my status as a Top 100 reviewer (as of this writing) by having any sort of social life, did'ja? Let's get real here, folks...
Anyway, let's get back on the track. The MGM version also contains a new secondary commentary track with most of the same guys who did the Criterion commentary track, including director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer John Davison, and co-writer Ed Neumeier. Most of the stuff covered in the new track was not discussed in the old one, which means you'll inundated with a whole new set of info and anecdotes that ya didn't hear on the old track. The weird thing is, the guys talk about the scenes that they had to shorten for the theatrical release-- which were restored to this DVD-- as if they hadn't been restored to the DVD at all. Kinda makes me wonder if MGM was originally going to include just the cut-down version of the movie to this box set, but then thought better of it without getting the guys to record a new commentary track. Eh, like it really matters all that much...
The MGM version also includes a wide array of special features that weren't on the Criterion release, such as deleted scenes like an extra vignette with Bix "I'd Buy THAT For A Dollar!" Snyder, a Q&A press conference with Bob Morton (Miguel Ferrer) about RoboCop, and a couple other excised bits that look like they were recorded on that film they use to film actors testing for screen roles. I think it's called "B-roll" film or something.
Also included is a slo-mo look at the initial ED-209 stop-motion scene and corresponding storyboards featuring commentary with stop-motion man Phil Tippett. I found myself zoning out about halfway through this piece out of sheer boredom, and bailed on it as soon as I could. Topping things off is a trio of behind-the-scenes/"Making-Of" featurettes that give ya a peek at the effects, stunts, and other things that went into the production of the movie. I found these featurettes reasonably interesting, but I'd get a bit wacky when the director and actors would talk a little too seriously about the "depth" and "significance" of the production and the characters they play. If I wanted to hear about that stuff, I'd have hit the local sci-fi con where Peter Weller is the keynote speaker, thank you very much. Oh yes, we mustn't forget the obligatory theatrical trailers and a fairly cool TV spot.
Unfortunately, the Criterion version of the DVD contains extra features that aren't available in the MGM release. Such Criterion-exclusive extras include film-to-storyboard comparisons, storyboards of unfilmed scenes, and a text article on the making of `RoboCop'. So needless to say, if you're a completist Robo-fan DVD-phile who's just GOT to have every single `RoboCop'-related bit of bonus material available on digital video, you're gonna hafta grab both this set AND the Criterion Collection DVD (available at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1559408898/qid%3D1090823802/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-5229942-8183256) if ya wanna have it all...
`Late
Rating: 
Summary: The Robocop Trilogy is FIRST RATE!
Review: Some of the reviews of this film are superb and will tell you why this original directors cut of Robocop is so terrific. The Anamorphic Widescreen is clear, crisp and the sound is perfectly surround. Robocop 2 is great and satisfying and has great action and truly horrid bad guys. Robocop 3 is sappy and silly... but it's fun to see as a curiosity just the same... but the real treasure here are the first 2 films and the lush packaging and extras. This is well worth the price. LOVED IT!
Rating: 
Summary: ROBO, ROBO, ROBO
Review: The director's cut of Paul Verhoeven's thrillingly original satire Robocop is included in the ROBOCOP TRILOGY (MGM). In Irv Kershner's sequel, the adventures of the cyborg are greatly intensified. Underrated and much criticized upon its theatrical release, this action-filled, morally-centered follow-up tale takes deadly aim at a society that sanctions the drugs and pop culture crap that's aimed at 12 year olds. The third title in the series no longer stars Peter Weller and is borderline silly with a flying Robocop and none of the fierce satirical force of its predecessors.
Rating:
Summary: ROBO, ROBO, ROBO
Review: The director's cut of Paul Verhoeven's thrillingly original satire Robocop is included in the ROBOCOP TRILOGY (MGM). In Irv Kershner's sequel, the adventures of the cyborg are greatly intensified. Underrated and much criticized upon its theatrical release, this action-filled, morally-centered follow-up tale takes deadly aim at a society that sanctions the drugs and pop culture crap that's aimed at 12 year olds. The third title in the series no longer stars Peter Weller and is borderline silly with a flying Robocop and none of the fierce satirical force of its predecessors.
Rating:
Summary: Almost CRITERION, almost...
Review: The one thing that doesn't seem to be getting any fanfare, with the new release of this trilogy from MGM, is the fact that the first movie, is in fact, the UNCUT DIRECTOR's CUT, that was presently, till now, only available on the out of print (and pricey) Criterion version of this DVD. Oddly enough, even the new trilogy packaging and extras, don't go out of their way to press, what you'd think would be a GREAT selling point, almost as if the decision to use the directors cut, was a last minute thing. Funny enough, even the commentary (which, unfortunately, is NOT the commentary present on the Criterion disc) was made, with the director and crew, watching the theatrical version of the movie, as they keep referring to this fact, and discussing the deleted scenes, EVEN as we, the viewers, are watching the very scenes that they are saying are missing in this version. It also amazes me, as to how they managed to sync up the commentary to the cut film, over top of the uncut film, without any lag or dead spots, where the cut scenes are replaced, but they did it. One thing that MGM did fail in though, is that they placed back in the cut scenes, but didn't bother to colour correct, or do anything, to make the scenes run seamlessly, as you can always spot the new scenes, by the sudden loss of quality in the picture, which, in itself, is another reason that you'd think that MGM would have indicated that this was the uncut version, and explained (as most movies that add in extra scenes, but don't bother trying to fix them up) that the extra scenes have not been cleaned up, so that the viewer doesn't think that the film has glitches, or that MGM's quality is inconsistent (as the overall picture quality is pretty descent, except for the extra scenes, that is). Another complaint about the new set, is the stupidly constructed fold out packaging, as it boggles my mind, as to why they couldn't just use the new, slim DVD cases, in the box set slip cover, instead of the "Road Map-like" fold out, that you get. You technically need a whole kitchen table to open the set up on, just to extract one disc from the set. BUT, that said, for the money, this set is VERY good, and definitely worth getting. Or is it just me? :)
Rating:
Summary: Robocop!
Review: The Robocop movies are awesome! I love "Robocop", "Robocop 2", and "Robocop 3"! These are three amazing films! This is a must have DVD collection! I love these movies so much! This is a must buy DVD set that everyone should own!
Rating:
Summary: Great Films
Review: These are must-own movies for any serious Sci-fi fan. The first movie in particular was a defining moment in the genre. Not mentioned in amazon.com's detail here, curiously, is that there are a number of goodies available on the first (and only the first) RoboCop movie in this set. For example, R1 feature anamorphic widescreen, a new Dolby 5.1 treatment, commentary tracks, deleted scenes and a 'making-of' featurette. Some of these features are not found on any prior region 1 release of RoboCop, including the excellent Criterion edition. These features are undoubtedly why you can only get R1 in the box set, while R2 and R3 will be available for individual sale. A bit of a scam, perhaps, but any serious Sci-fi fan will buy the box set for the goodies on the R1 DVD. Go Robo!
Rating:
Summary: Prime Directives
Review: This is the Robocop Trilogy including all three action packed instalments. Of course the original Robocop is the only one that really makes it a point to comment on society the other 2 are still entertaining. Although this boxed set only includes special features for Robocop 1 and only trailers for 2 and 3 it's the only way to get the "Extended Cut" of Robocop, which contains 1 minute of extra gore I beleive. So, the price is right, and this is worth the purchase for any scifi/action fan.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!!! Totally Awesome!!!
Review: What else can you say about the Robocop series except... WOW!
The Lord of the Rings movies? The Original Star Wars trilogy? The Godfather saga? The James Bond films? They all look like the Police Academy series compared to The Robocop franchise! Robocop burst onto the movie scene in the 1980's and the film world has never been the same. Robocop revolutionized the way people looked at sci-fi cinema. It blazed a new trail in special effects, direction, editing, storytelling, and acting. Robocop tells the Story of Murphy, a cop who is nearly killed only to come back as: ROBOCOP. Half robot, half cop, Murphy (now Robocop) comes back to deal out death and destruction (not to mention JUSTICE! ) to those that prey on the innocent. Not since Charles Bronson kicked bad-guy butt in the Death Wish movies has such an awesome hero graced the movie screen. The best thing about the Robocop movies is that unlike most movie series, such as the Lord of the Rings films, thes movies actually got BETTER with each film. Robocop 3 is easily one of the best three-quels of all time. So, the next time you're sad or depressed, or just want to see some of the best Science Fiction/Action-Adventure movies of all time pick up this dvd set and watch yourself some... Robocop!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Anamorphic sequels....finally!
Review: What I find disturbing on Amazon.com and most other DVD sites is the lack of information about a release's format. All three ROBOCOP films are finally in Anamorphic Widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1. This is the first time Robo 2 and 3 get anamorphic releases, so for me, this alone was worth the cost, since I already owned the definitive Criterion Robocop. This is a slightly better release, however, in that it has some featurettes and trailers. It's great to finally watch Robo 2 (and the slightly sillier Robo 3) in Anamorphic Widescreen on my 65" HDTV, and in DD 5.1! While Robo 1 is still the best of the three, by far, don't discount Robo 2 and 3 for they have their moments too.
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