Robocop - Criterion Collection

Rating:
Summary: You have NOT seen this version before UNCUT
Review:

In 1987 ROBOCOP was something of a problematic film. The studio had commissioned the European art house director, Paul Verhoeven, to direct an action-packed sci-fi in B-Movie tradition only he ended up giving them something that was more than a few years ahead of its time and something which the film censors would certainly take apart piece by piece. Knowing that they had a great unplayable film the studio was left with a decision - how much they should cut and what they should cut in order to get it a rating. Thus a number of versions of the film were cut - The Original Director's Cut, a cut R-rated version for the US, another less violent R-rated cut version for abroad and a special cut without any violence and bad language for afternoon kid's viewing.

In the cinemas we watched the cut R-rated version. So we have never really seen the FULL unedited version of Robocop... until now. When a film censor cuts a film, they can actually imply certain things, instead of showing them, which can change the tone of a scene considerably. For some reason the uncut version is a lot funnier than the cut version. This is because the uncut version usually has some extended violent scenes that almost look comical. When reduced, they look at bit harder. For this reason the more sinister version of Robocop seems to be the cut version and the bloodier more violent uncut version a little lighter but certainly bloodier.... got that?

The two versions on this disc are the (1) The uncut, originally unrated, now the new R-rated version of the Director's Cut and (2) The original cut R-rated version. Let's talk about the cuts.

When ED-209 goes on the rampage, killing a businessman during a meeting, the scene is extended to show the young exec being hit several more times while lying on top of the Delta City model. Although this scene is certainly a lot bloodier, with body parts flying everywhere and visible holes appearing in the body, it is more funny than shocking.

When Murphy and Lewis are chasing the gang in the van there is an extended scene of the shootout involving a villain's leg being shot to pieces in close-up.

However the real cream of the crop is getting to see Rob Bottin's (special effects guru on The Thing) uncut version of Murphy's murder. The hand blasting scene is extended to show Murphy holding his stump out for longer with more blood squirting out. There is a scene then of the remainder of his arm being shot off. These extended sequences are quite violent. However the piece we all want to see is the infamous realistic head shot that Bottin masterfully created, but was cut from all the released editions of the film. Bottin built a full version of Murphy from the waste up for this scene. You can see Murphy's face contorted, screaming and the camera pans and you see a hole being blown in the back of his head.... all in one take. This was 1987 remember folks and that effect is as good as anything you will see today! Claps all round to Bottin ... nearly 15 years too late.

The final scene is extended to give the bad guy a more violent death as he staggers around the place with two meter arterial spray for a few seconds more.

Anyway the bottom line is to get this version to see Bottin's effects in all their glory without being cut. It is all A++ SFX work.


Rating:
Summary: Part Man, Part Machine--All Cop
Review: So read the tagline for the movie. Actually, from the number of body parts that were replaced, he was almost all machine--but who's quibbling.

Cyborg storylines are common, but no one has done it better than Paul Verhoven did when he made this satirical look at virtually every facet of a possible future. It is unfortunate that studio execs, in their neverending pursuit of the almighty dollar, chose to make a number of progressively disappointing big-screen sequels as well as a couple of abysmal television series based upon the character.

Peter Weller, then a newcomer to the acting scene, is cast as Alex Murphy--a Detroit Metro police officer, family man, and all-around good guy. In attempting to apprehend the city's most wanted man, Clarence Boddicker, played with chilling effectiveness by Kurtwood Smith (Red Foreman of "That 70s Show"), Murphy is "killed" by Boddicker and his gang of psychopathic thugs--only to be reincarnated as the movie's title character. Although Murphy technically died, a few residual memories coupled with a few chance circumstances, set the Robocop on a collision course with gang responsible for the demise of his human side.

The movie is broad in both its dark humor and its violence, with the latter being over-the-top at times. Interspersed throughout the movie are "commercials" that further indoctrinate viewers to the sarcasm of the age being presented. Although presented almost as a spoof of cop movies, the film keeps the viewer's interest by focusing on Murphy's attempt to hang on to the tatters of his remaining humanity, smart dialogue, fabulous action scenes, and a satisfying ending.

The supporting cast is impeccable and includes Dan O'Herlihy as the grandfatherly Chairman of OCP (the corporate "inventor" of Robocop) with a vicious streak in him; Ronnie Cox as Dick Jones, the Senior Vice President of OCP and an even more vicious SOB; Miguel Ferrer (now of "Crossing Jordan") as Bob Morton, an ambitious junior exec who makes the fatal mistake of crossing swords with Jones; and, finally, B-movie scream queen Nancy Allen, as Ann Lewis, Murphy's ever-devoted partner who inadvertently sets the Robocop on his current path.

Of course, you also have ED-209, a security droid whose cute exterior belies a murderous nature directed at anyone that stands in its way.

Great lines:

"Your move, creep." --Robocop (pointing his gun at a thug, after castrating the thug's partner with a precisedly aimed shot)
"Dead or alive, you are coming with me." --Robocop
"Come quietly or there will be...trouble." --Robocop
"I'd buy that for a dollar." --TV Game Show Host
"You call this a glitch?!" --O'Herlihy (to Jones, after ED-209 obliterates a company exec during a droid test)
"Give the man a hand!" --Boddicker (to Murphy, after he blows off the latter's hand with a shotgun blast)

By the way, despite the comedic nature in which some of violence is presented, this film is most certainly NOT suitable for viewing by children under the age of 15.

Classy in its own way...and classic sci-fi.