Hyperviolent, but with that Verhoeven edge and wit (and dozens of quotable lines, and some fine acting talent).
Sadly, it's not clear we've moved away from the dystopia it portrays …
Originally shared by +Old School 4 Life™:
On this day:
At 17th July of 1987, "Robocop" premiered in US theaters. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, the film stars Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, and Ronny Cox. "Robocop" was cited as one of the best films of 1987, spawning a franchise that included merchandise, two sequels, a television series, a remake, two animated TV series, a television mini-series, video games, and a number of comic book adaptations/crossovers."Robocop" was among the biggest surprises of 1987; a sci-fi action film with a silly title that turned out to be a biting satire of big business practices. A tribute to the perspicacity and skill of director Paul Verhoeven, "Robocop" is capable of satisfying audiences with diverse agendas and preferences.
For those interested in films with substance, issues pertaining to "techno-ethics" are addressed. For those seeking laughter, the story is laced with dark humor and parody. And for those looking for a bloody revenge thriller, it doesn't get gorier or more violent. "Robocop" is like a Michael Bay extravaganza with a brain to go along with the testosterone and adrenaline.
"Robocop" opens in Detroit of the near future, where crime isn't just rampant, it's a way of life. Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is a new transfer to the police force, and he comes with the goal of ending lawlessness in Old Detroit the way Wyatt Earp tamed Tombstone. His partner, Anne Lewis (Nancy Allen), admires his gumption but is dubious about his potential for success. He hasn't been on the job long when he comes face-to-face with Detroit's most dangerous psychopath: Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith).
After humiliating and torturing Murphy, Boddicker leaves him for dead, which is the state in which he would remain forever if his remains were not claimed by Omni Consumer Products (OCP), the company that has bought out the police department. They decide to use Murphy's organic remains for a pilot cyborg policeman program.
Thus is born "Robocop", half man, half machine, a Dirty Harry with a bigger gun. Robocop is the brainchild of OCP executive Robert Morton (Miguel Ferrer) and his success angers his main in-house opponent, Dick Jones (Ronny Cox), who has his own rival program underway. Jones doesn't mind playing dirty and the success of Robocop forces his hand.
The main story of "RoboCop" itself is simply and not that complex, however Verhoeven manages to put many different layers for the story as well as the characters in the movie. The social satire in the movie works out brilliantly and is what makes the movie perhaps more entertaining than thrilling or tense. Especially those typical Verhoeven news sketches are brilliant!
But also those who will not be able to understand or fully appreciate the social satire elements in the movie, will have plenty to enjoy while watching this. The action itself is top-class and the characters are fun as well as cool. RoboCop himself looks awesome, both in his movements and the way his costume looks.
At the time of its release, "Robocop" was scoffed at, sight unseen, by critics who elected to evaluate the production based on its title and premise alone. However, those who watched the movie found it capable not only of generating the expected visceral reaction but of stimulating the mind as well. "Robocop" was a financial success for Orion Pictures, which subsequently made the unfortunate decision to move forward with a sequel. Verhoeven wisely did not return, instead turning his attention to work with Schwarzenegger in "Total Recall".
A great action movie with funny dialogue and humor along the way, "Robocop" proves to be one of the greatest action movies ever made. It remains incredibly enjoyable to watch even 30 years later.
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Eek is right — half my life ago.