Sunday, February 16, 2014

RoboCop Movie Review

Hi Everyone,

The new reboot of Robocop is out and I had a chance to check it out. Remember the original movie was released in 1987 so I have childhood nostalgia about this movie and I remember some parts but honestly do not remember all the little details so I think this gave me a chance to watch the reboot without disdain for the remake but instead open to what the new installment has to offer.


The movie was directed by Jose Padilha, written by Joshua Zetumer and Edward Neumeier. It stars Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Keaton and is rated PG13.


Story Line: In RoboCop, the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years - and it's meant billions for OmniCorp's bottom line. Now OmniCorp ran by Raymond Sellars (Michael Keaton) wants to bring their controversial technology to the home front, and they see a golden opportunity to do it. When Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) - a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit - is critically injured in the line of duty, OmniCorp with the help of Dr. Norton (Gary Oldman) sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer. While television personality Pat Novak (Samuel L. Jackson) attempts to sway public opinion. OmniCorp envisions a RoboCop in every city and even more billions for their shareholders, but they never counted on one thing: there is still a man inside the machine pursuing justice.


My thoughts: This installment did not offend me and I enjoyed the movie. I had to get that out of the way so if you thought the movie was horrible you can move on from this post. Michael Keaton truly sold me on his portrayal of Raymond Sellars who is money first, people later. He added a nice edge and knew how to maneuver Dr. Norton (Oldman) into the right mindset to essentially abuse Murphy into making him more robot and less of a man. 


The action in the movie was the appropriate level. I did not find myself thinking that it was over the top or that they needed to dial back. The proper amount of shooting and explosions occurred. The one thing that I did not like is that it dragged a little bit in the beginning as they were getting to the Robocop moment. I understand we needed to understand Murphy and his process of becoming Robocop but they started to lose my interest in the movie. 


Kinnaman did the role justice. I tried to look up movies that the actor was in previously and it appeared he played small roles until this one. I think he was a great pick as he was not a big name that would have been more concerned about his name than the role. He showed the proper amount of emotion with Clara Murphy (Abbie Cornish) and David Murphy (John Paul Rutton) so we were able to see the man under the robot. 


RoboCop was given a nice black finish as requested by Sellars. He did look sleek and again I was not offended by it. The suit was still shaped like the previous installment and you knew what you were looking at unlike the leaked pictures of Shredder who is extra beefed up with metal. I did like when Norton took apart Murphy to show him how much of his body is left and how much is robotic. It freaked me out but it did drive home the point that he needs the suit to survive. 


Samuel L. Jackson as Novak was a great addition to the movie. He added a necessary element that the movie needed to show how media can have its own agenda and that their information needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Maybe I am reading too much into his role but hopefully it will help others think when listening to media reports. 


Overall I recommend the movie. I do want to go back and watch the original RoboCop to compare the differences but for now I am content with appreciating this movie. Check it out and share your thoughts in the comments. 

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite



2 comments:

  1. It was okay but I was disappointed with it. I didn't hate like some people did last night in the theater but I was disappointed. Awesome review as always.

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    1. Thanks. I think I was able to enjoy it because I just did not remember the original enough for it to ruin it for me.

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