Robocop




They'll fix you. They fix everything.

It is undeniable that there is some kind of allure between kids and Robocop. Sure he may look like a sweet action figure, but the oodles of violence in the movie should be noted. I first saw this movie was when I was just a wee little gnome. What were my parents thinking?

Office Murphy (Peter Weller) has just been transferred to Old Detroit's police force. Unfortunately, his first job gets him massacred by a local band of degenerates, led by Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith). Detroit's police force is now being run by an industry behemoth called OCP. When the prototype of the company's newest weapon goes awry, they seek an alternative product. They find it in Murphy, who they bring back to life as a crime fighting cyborg (this is set in the near future).

Despite having grade B cheese written all over it (I mean come on, look at the title), Robocop rises above its expectations. Perhaps that is its biggest strength. It is more than just an action flick starring a cyborg as the good guy. There's a thoughtful intelligence that drives things along as well. It tackles the issue of where modern society stands with public decay and corruption. OCP is ripe with it, as corporate official Dick Jones (Ronny Cox) is the main bad guy. The resurrection of Robocop also has some stuff going for it, though he isn't really a Christ figure.

Biting satirical undercurrents are also to be had. The news often pops up, though it is used for more than just a plot device. Good news is hard to come by, and the intercut commercials only underline the darkly wry humor. On some levels it does work as a murky comedy, with the gratuitous violence and other over the top elements.

Peter Weller isn't all that impressive until he dons the suit. Even after that he's a little blank (though he does a good job with Robocop's motions). So it's passed along to the villains to fill the gap. Smith comes immediately to mind, as he takes a seemingly ordinary criminal and steps him up to a whole different level. His mood swings and twisted humor really make the character. The rest of the cast also provides ample support, including Nancy Allen as Murphy's ex partner, Ronny Cox and the overly ambitious Miguel Ferrer.

Despite the violence, I loved the driving nature that Robocop harnessed. How can someone watching Robo taking down bad guys while accompanied by Poledouris' score (one of the best themes ever) not be thrilled? But alas, I may be a bit biased. Still, aside from some of the hiccups in the script, it still touches a nerve and remains an interesting blend of science fiction and satire.



-The Gnome