Rating: Summary: Wha? Review: A great example of how a sequel can taint the film it sequelises, this un-necessary collection combines one of the finest science fiction films of the 1980's with two increasingly bad sequels. 'Robocop' is fantastic - a satirical view of corruption and crime in a near-future Detroit. The effects are fantastic, despite the modest budget, and only the OCP video-wall has dated. Remove the robots and the setting, of a commercial city on the edge of mania, seems edgily real. The violence is both shocking and funny, and Verhoven's sardonic black humour was sorely missed from the sequels.The first sequel, release at the same time as a host of other sequels ('Die Hard 2' being the obvious competition), was like an averaged-out, cruder version of the original. The news snippets are more obviously parodic, the violence is nastier and unfunny, and the whole film is just a bludgeoning mess. As Empire magazine said, 'if you like to stagger from a film feeling numb and slightly sick, this is the film for you'. As for the third, Peter Weller-less film, don't go there. Really. It's bad. No. Look away. Imagine the disappointment you felt on watching 'Alien 3', magnified a million-fold.
Rating: Summary: ahh...robocop Review: He must have cost a bundle...plus, he bursts through a car roof, which costs good money, only to quip the line "No loitering" to thugs. That not-clever chip they put in his body must have cost a fortune alone.
I actually love these movies. Me and my dad used to rent them when I was little and I'd watch in amazement, then go back to my mom's house and repress my feelings. My 10 year old mind loved the plot, and the acting (thought my 10 year old mind) was superb. My favorite part in all of the movies is when Robocop fought the giant robot in the first one(?), and totally beat his ass...and the image that stuck with me out of the whole series was the part in the third where the thug falls into a barrel of toxic waste and comes out looking melted and buttery...yeesh.
Rating: Summary: I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! Review: I like this collection because I like SCI-FIE movies. I always tried to tape them but never made it in time. This is a must have for all movie collectors and watchers.
Rating: Summary: Even better than that fantastic Criterion edition Review: I was skeptical about this when I first saw it at the store, as I already owned the fantastic Criterion edition DVD. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the new MGM unrated version found in the Trilogy boxed set is well worth it. So here is a review for people who already own the Criterion disc and are wondering if they should shell out their hard earned cash for this newer DVD. Here are the differences I found between the new disc and the Criterion one... PLUSES: a.. Anamorphic widescreen. The Criterion disc was not anamorphic. As a result, the picture on the MGM disc is a lot less pixellated than the Criterion one. The color is also more saturated. b.. New sound mix. The Criterion disc was mixed in Dolby surround. The new mix is in Dolby 5.1, and they obviously had fun remixing it. The surrounds are split and very directional. The sound is really an improvement in every way (see (d)). c.. It's the same unrated cut that was on the Criterion disc. d.. They fixed some of the excrutiatingly bad sound edits that were on the Criterion disc. Although Criterion had re-edited the violent footage back into the movie, they neglected to remix the sound for those moments, ie. they didn't remix the sound to blend the new footage. On the new MGM disc, they FINALLY fixed this. Now the new footage sounds like it was SUPPOSED to be there. e.. As one reviewer mentioned before, the director's commentary on the MGM disc is new and completely different than the one on the Criterion disc (ie. don't throw away your Criterion disc). f.. We finally have the sequels in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby 5.1. This is a plus or a minus depending on if you enjoy them or not! Although it would have been nice to have a longer version of Robocop 2, as Frank Miller has alluded that huge chunks of that movie were edited out of the final version. g.. The new MGM version of Robocop also has some good documentaries and other curiosities for you to peruse (only on the unrated cut). These are NOT available on the bare-bones theatrical DVD that MGM has out for individual sale. ------------ MINUSES: a.. The picture is a bit darker on the MGM disc than on the Criterion disc. b.. The director's commentary was recorded when they were watching the theatrical cut of the movie, so it is oddly funny (and a bit distracting) that they will be commenting, "remember how we had to cut out the more violent shot of...." when we at home are actually watching the footage that they are talking about. c.. If you don't like the sequels, it sucks to be you, because the only way to get the unrated cut of the first movie is to buy the boxed set. d.. Don't really know if this is a minus or not as I'm not 100% sure what Verhoeven's intention was. The Criterion disc is framed at 1.66:1, and the new MGM disc is framed at 1.85:1. As it is, Criterion tends not to mess around. I'd wager that it's supposed to be projected at 1.66:1. Either way, 1.85:1 still looks pleasing. ----------- All in all, more pluses than minuses I wager. I found that the new version has everything the Criterion one had, and it presents it in a more pleasing manner (sound, picture, extras, etc..). If you're a fan, I think this would be right up your alley.
Rating: Summary: One movie too many Review: If I were to review each movie individually: Robocop 1 would get 5 stars for the sci-fi story line and the use of comedy. Robocop 2 was a good attempt to recapture the fun in the first movie but falls short with the moral drum beating about the sins of drugs. Robocop 2 gets 4 stars. Robocop 3 is why I called this review - one movie too many. This movie at best is only a 2 star movie. That is why I give the box set only a 3. If it would have left the third movie out and instead gave a disc of more special features, this could have been easily a 5 star set
Rating: Summary: No More Criterion Review: If you want the extended edition of Robocop don't buy the Criterion DVD. This edition has all the Criterion features, plus a new documentary.It has both sequels also in the package and costs less than the used Criterion DVD.
Rating: Summary: Don't forget THIS movie! Review: It's been a while since I've seen Robocop, so I picked up this DVD set. Robocop 1 is such a great movie! Watching it now is a lot better than it was when I watched it as a teenager. It was great back then, but there was so much that I didn't pick up. Watching it now from a man's prospective is a totally different experience. The version of Robocop 1 in this set is the "un-rated" version. I would definitely keep it away from children. Some of the scenes are a lot more gory and grusome than they were in the "R" rated version (A LOT MORE!) and on it's own, this version is hard to find. Robocop 3, on the other hand, is more family oriented and only rated PG-13. The violence from the previous movies has been toned down quite a bit and there is no use of the "F" bomb. It's a nice movie, but it does not have the same feel of the other two(or actor. Peter Weller chose not to return.) These movies have aged well because they were ahead of there time when they came out. A great DVD set and a purchase that I don't regret!
Rating: Summary: A mixed batch... Review: ROBOCOP - The '87 blockbuster that started it all. While I'm well aware that this is not the "greatest" movie of all time, it's definitely my favorite. I grew up with it. Now... true, the film's violence is overwrought and incredibly stomach-turning even by today's standards, but Paul Verhoeven created an incredible world here that has influenced many other films. It's cold and cynical society is established through sardonic television news, commercial products, big business conferences, and the idea that the body of a hero cop killed in the line of duty could be used as the blueprint for a new brand of law enforcement (marketed not by the police force, but by a major corporation). The movie is wickedly satirical, but there is also an incredibly human story beneath the surface, as Robocop, the half-man/half-machine, begins to re-discover his past and what he was, which makes him further resent what he has been turned into. If you're looking for the ultimate sci-fi movie, no need to look further. THIS is it. A modern classic. ROBOCOP 2 - In some ways, 'Robocop 2' is a really underrated movie. I mean, it really is almost just as creative as the original in a lot of ways. During a huge citywide police strike, Robocop is the lone officer that patrols the crime-filled streets, now completely overrun with designer drugs and heartless thieves and criminals. The OCP corporation that created Robocop (and runs the city's police force) is apparently oblivious to all. The chairman played again by Dan O'Heirley has gotten wildly out-of-control after his massive success with law enforcement, and decides to up the ante by creating a newer version of their original Robocop. I don't want to give too much away, but there are quite a few cool touches to this one, although the film loses its bottom by the end and becomes almost a parody of itself. Overall an above average sequel that just barely falls short. Now... ROBOCOP 3 - Ohhh, boy. This is the Robocop movie which you can skip, and not miss a thing. I don't think there is one redeemable quality about this film. The plot is basically OCP is ruynning thousands of citizens out of their homes to make room for urbanization and high-rise office buildings. A small citizens' uprising begins underground and rage guerilla warfare against the capitalist army. Robocop, sensitive to the little people as he is, decides to join them and assist the rebel forces in their crusade. Even the appearance of veteran actors like Rip Torn and CCH Pounder can't save this awful mess. The story plays like an after-school special, with cheesy morals being plastered in your face, and just awful dialogue and corny one-liners from every character. Peter Weller, who played Robocop excellently in the first two films, is replaced by Robert John Burke, and, although you wouldn't think it would be all that noticeable due to Robocop's limited dimensions, it is ANNOYINGLY noticeable. Overall, the DVD set is nothing really amazing, with basically no features on any one of the discs. But at least the films are in 1.85 (NON ANAPMORPHIC) MATTED Widescreen, the way the movies were presented in theaters, and it is recorded in 5.1 dolby digital sound. However, any fan such as myself should be happy purchasing this collection for the simple fact of having the complete trilogy, and the first two films are a VAST improvement over my worn-out VHS copies, especially in widescreen. It's not likely that the Robocop series will ever be resurrected (especially not after the UNFORGIVEABLE third film), but I will never get sick of watching and remembering how fresh, sardonically funny, and action-packed the first two were, and how I seemed to never get sick of the half-man/half-machine police officer who went out against all the odds, refused to let go of his humanity, and kicked serious bad guy butt.
Rating: Summary: ROBOCOP The Ultimate Collection Review: ROBOCOP is now available in a DVD BOX set.YES all three. All movies are presented in DOBLY DIGITAL STEREO(NOT SURROUND,Or 5.1). With some Discrete Audio Sound on rear speakers. Robocop 1,2,and 3 are Presented in a 1.85 (NON ANAPMORPHIC) MATTED Widescreen,The Way the movies was presented in Theaters.Actualy ROBOCOP is original prints is 1.66 as shown on the CRITERION Edition,The original Aspect Ratio. It Contains Chapter Search and Animated Menus, and noting more. NO TRAILERS,Image gallery nore a Making Of.Even the Criterion doesent. But I know this Box set is a Collectors Item since ORION is now called MGM.And they should make a Special EDITION box set because ROBOCOP does have deleted scenes and I know that personally.Also ROBOCOP need to be presented in a 5.1 EX surround instead of STEREO Suround,ED-209's "Whump" has no bass. ROBOCOP WILL ALWAYS LIVE AS A TV SERIES AFTER THE LAST 2 FAILURE MOVIES.ROBOCOP 1 WILL REMAIN THE BEST.
Rating: Summary: Really, Really Cool! Review: Robocop: This movie was very good in storyline, and action. the effects WERE ahead of it's time, which makes it even better. It seems that the only part I didn't like, was when Alex Murphy got shot to death, but you need that part because if not, no Robocop! Robocop 2: This sequel was.....okay. I mean, I wish Robocop told his wife that he WAS Alex Murphy, but instead he said that he didn't know her! That could have made Robocop's 2 and 3 really good! And what's this kid doing as one of the criminals? Ah well. Robocop 3: I liked this one! This one was actually the first of the three that I saw. I liked the action, and the jetpack, and the big gun hand that he put on his arm! Good movies folks....Buy em'!
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