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ROBOCOP was the first of three great sci-fi action films that director Paul Verhoeven did (the other two being TOTAL RECALL
and STARSHIP TROOPERS). ROBOCOP featured plenty of social satire that still rings true today. A few may think the title is
pretty stupid. Yet Paul Verhoeven saw Robocop as an American Jesus. Peter Weller is Robocop. He starts out as police officer
Murphy who gets blown away by a gang of baddies led by Boddiker (Kurtwood Smith). OCP, a big military corporation, who runs
the police force decides to bring Murphy back as a cyborg known as Robocop. Robocop works well until he starts to remember
the man he was (and that his ex-partner Lewis (Nancy Allen) knows who he was).
"Dead or alive, you're coming with me."
ROBOCOP was a product of the Reagan era, but it also reflects the problems of today. They have really cold killer businessmen
(an OCP employee decides to kill another one who stepped over the line). I love the news breaks and the fake commercials (the
Nuke Em game and the 6000 SUX car). The action scene and Basil Poledouris's score help sell ROBOCOP. It does come down to
the actors- a fine cast (Kurtwood Smith, Ronny Cox in the first of his bad guy roles, Miguel Ferrer, Daniel O'Herlihy, Ray
Wise). I love the bad guys because the actors put in 100% into playing them. Kurtwood Smith is cold and calculating as Boddiker
while Miguel Ferrer is the arrogant business guy who just wants to climb the corporate ladder. I forgot how much fun ROBOCOP
is to watch. ROBOCOP 2 was underrated (good and not as classic as ROBOCOP) while ROBOCOP 3 (also Weller didn't play Robocop
in that one and one important character got killed) mostly sucked. However, the ROBOCOP: PRIME DIRECTIVES mini-series was
quite good. Director Paul verhoeven had talked about remaking and updating ROBOCOP, but I think the first one did it perfect
the first time round.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
DISC ONE-
The original theatrical cutaudio commentary track with Director Paul Verhoeven, Writer Ed Neumeier, and Executive producer
Jon Davison which was re-edited for the Director's Cut in 2014.
New audio commentary with film historian Paul M. Sammon
Second new audio commentary with fans Christopher Griffiths, Gary Smart, and Eastwood Allen
New featurettes for this edition:
THE FUTURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT: CREATING ROBOCOP- a new interview with co-writer Michael Miner
TRUTH OF CHARACTER- newly recorded interview with actress Nancy Allen
CASTING OLD DETROIT- new interview with casting director Julie Selzer
CONNECTING THE SHOTS- new interview with second unit director Mark Goldbatt
ANALOG- a new featurette on the film's special photographic effects
MORE MAN THAN MACHINE: a tribute to composer Basil Poledouris featuring film music experts Jeff Bond, Lukas Kendall, Danel
Schweiger, and Robert Townson
2012 Q&A with the Filmmakers and stars featuring Paul Verhoeven, Jon Davison, Ed Neumeier, Michael Miner, Peter Weller,
Nancy Allen, and animator Phil Tippett
Three vintage featurettes from the 2007 disc release of ROBOCOP-
VILLAINS OF OLD DETROIT- The actors playing the villains share their stories about playing the bad guys. Kurtwood Smith
came up with some good ideas that Paul Verhoeven liked. Ray Wise had alot of fun.
SPECIAL EFFECTS: THEN AND NOW- a look at the special effects of Robocop from the matte paintings to the ED-209 to other
effects. The special effects crew also talk about how special effects have changed.
ROBOCOP: CREATING A LEGEND is a better look at the ROBOCOP film than the FLESH AND STEEL featurette that isn't included
in this release.
Four deleted scenes plus raw production dailies of the unrated gore scenes
THE BOARDROOM- storyboards with commentary by Phil Tippett
DISC TWO-
The original theatrical version has an audio commentary track with Director Paul Verhoeven, Writer Ed Neumeier, and Executive
producer Jon Davison.
Also there are two isolated score tracks (composer's original sore and the final theatrical mix).
Then you have an SD version of the edited for Television cut.
Then there is a split comparison between the Director's Cut, the Theatrical Cut, and the TV cut.
ROBOCOP: EDITED FOR TELEVISION is a compilation of alternate scenes from two different TV cuts (and these scenes are in
HD from reverently unearthed 35mm elements)
FINAL ANALYSIS: Despite some omissions of extras from previous DVD and blu-ray revisions of the original ROBOCOP, this
is one of the best sets of the movie on blu-ray. It is a cult classic that any fan of this movie should own. Arrow Video
has done a great job with this release.
This review is (c) 12-23-2019 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com
and check for further content at http://enterlinemedia.tumblr.com
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