Robocop (3 Stars)

This is the September selection in my cinema's "Best Of Cinema" series. My intention is to visit every film in the series, but the last film I saw was "The Doors" in May. Family visits and holidays kept me away from the cinema. I want to catch up now.

"Robocop" was made in 1987. I vaguely remember seeing it on television in the early 2000's. I wasn't very impressed, but I couldn't remember why. In the years since then I've often heard it mentioned by friends who're enthusiastic about it. I know that it's generally considered a classic film, so I was glad for the opportunity to see it today.

The film takes place in a fictional version of Detroit, which is due to be demolished so that a vibrant new city can be built in its place. Crime is so rampant that it's deemed necessary to take drastic measures to stop it before the building can begin. The first solution is a police robot that malfunctions in its first trial. Artificial Intelligence wasn't as advanced in the 1980's as it is today. Then a second project is planned using a cyborg police officer, a robot powered by the brain of an experienced police officer.

Alex Murphy is a police officer who's been newly transferred to the central precinct in Detroit. He's almost killed on his first day. He loses an arm and both of his legs. He's the perfect candidate for the new project. The company running the project, Omni Consumer Products, is ruthless. Murphy's brain is wiped clean. He has no memories of his previous life, but he still has his instincts as a cop.

Murphy no longer remembers his own name. He's Robocop. At first he's very efficient. Then he has a dream of his previous life and (near) death. Instead of just doing his job, he wants revenge on the criminals who ruined his life.

I have difficulty understanding why the film is so popular. As we left the cinema, one of my friends told me it's one of his favourite films. I can't relate to the main character. He's hardly introduced before he's shot to pieces. His robotic self doesn't have the same charm as Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Terminator 2". There's no humour to make him endearing. The bad guys are just ridiculous caricatures who laugh as they commit crimes. They're the sort of crooks we'd see in a cheap B-Movie. I have nothing against cheap B-Movies, but "Robocop" wants to be taken seriously. Or does it? There are satirical elements in the film, but not enough for it to be comical. "Robocop" fails where the 1989 version of "Batman" succeeds.

It seems that I'm in a tiny minority of people who don't like "Robocop". I'll make an offer to my readers. If anyone wants to write a full review praising the film, I'll publish it. I'm allowing a second opinion.

Success Rate:  + 1.9

	Order from Amazon.com
	Order from Amazon.co.uk
	Order from Amazon.de