Robocop: The Most Hardcore Action Flick of the 80s?

Step out of your 6000 SUX, stop watching TJ Lazer re-runs, put down that flier from the Home Heart Centre, box up your game of NUKEM. That’s right folks, we’re time-traveling to the not too distant future of 2043 Detroit in this episode of REVISITED where Paul Verhoeven set his seminal, all time classic sci-fi action epic ROBOCOP. The Dutch director showcases all of his trademark filmmaking skills and a penchant for graphic violence in the movie and it remains an often copied, but never bettered, example of visceral sci-fi filmmaking. Just think of entertainment empires that are now synonymous with the era in which they first emerged and have gained longevity in various forms - for example; Star Wars, Marvel, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and it’s hard to imagine a mid-budget movie such as Robocop having the same cultural appeal or influence. However, just like its hero, Alex Murphy, it has proved very hard to kill. The most obvious reason for this, is that the movie is, simply, awesome! So, stock up on baby food and get ready to dive head-first into the most violently hardcore sci-fi movie to emerge from the 1980s - Robocop!

#Robocop #PaulVerhoeven #PeterWeller

[petetheelder]

Best part is the movie is only 102 minutes long. Yet it still has in depth world building, multiple memorable characters, satirical comedy inserts, character development, a complex plot, and several action set pieces. Nothing is wasted and it has one of the best hard close endings ever.

[maverickslb]

Masterpiece of a movie. And timeless too. RoboCop's design is one the best things in cinema history.

[bensneb]

Robocop is one of those lightning in a bottle movies where everything comes together so perfectly and it’s just pure excitement, one of my all time favorite movies

[filippos]

A timeless classic! By far one of my favourite films ever!

[johnr.]

Miguel Ferrer was absolutely fantastic in Robocop - he was always great in every role he was in! What a loss - RIP Mr. Ferrer...

[michaelward]

Robocop has been my favourite film since i first saw it as an eleven year old kid! Cinematic perfection!!

[SaChange]

Robocop, Aliens, Predator, Terminator. The 80s were the best for action movies.

[homelessjesse]

If I ever had to show kids these days what the 80s were like, I would simply point out Robocop as the ultimate showcase.

[ryanweston]

This has been my favorite movie since I saw it in the theaters at 10. Hands down still the best looking cyborg to grace the screen. People always laugh when I tell them its my absolute favorite movie. People have no idea just hiw many layers this movie truely has.

[JokersVsZombies]

This is legit one of the best movies ever made.

[ktTube]

Robocop is a timeless masterpiece and will always will be!

[helicoptersrkool]

The decision to shoot on location in Dallas was also important in giving the movie that Cyberpunk feel, especially the night scenes. The Steel Mill in Pittsburgh was a great location too. Even though some matte paintings were used in the Dallas shots, those windy, multi level freeways surrounding the downtown cluster of skyscrapers looks great on film eg: the night scenes when Robo goes on his first mission, the backdrop in the scene with the two thugs cutting the blonde woman's hair, the window views from inside the OCP tower, the scene with Emil at the gas station with Robo looking down at while on the freeway, the backdrop behind Murphy as he's spinning his pistol while Louis drinks her coffee and the early vehicle pursuit with Clarence and his gang. You can see how Houston in Robocop 2 doesn't have the same feel as Dallas.

[motherplayer]

Robocop is one of those rare film concepts that has the trappings of a B-Movie idea, but manages to be legit in getting more than just goofy thrills out of it because of well placed pathos. Much of Verhoven is like that, and I'd give props to films like Midnight Run, Headhunters, Grosse Point Blank, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Dope, First Love, True Lies, Much of Mad Max in general all just to name a few films that went beyond just being a basic fun time by also giving some good drama/comedy to latch onto to make it truly stand out.

[discingaround]

Saw RoboCop in theaters when I was 13 and it imploded my little brain. Absolute masterpiece, plus the toys were frickin sweet.

[karami]

I was a 3 year-old little female toddler in 1989 watching this movie on repeat. I knew how to use the VCR and would watch this movie everyday 😆. My parents didn’t mind the coke scene or the bloody violence. It was a fun movie and kept me entertained.

[bringyourtoystolife]

By Verhoeven's own admission, he used the themes of crucifixion and resurrection (namely Murphy's) to give the film a universal appeal, even having Robocop seemingly walk on water near the end. He also shot him from low angles to deify him. Such a brilliant and talented director that made a $13 million movie look 4 times more expensive. He knew how to block and stage action so the audience always had a sense of geography (the warehouse shoot-out is a perfect example), contrasting the fast, confusing cutting of today. And one genius thing he did which no other Robocop film has done since was to give Robocop an low electronic hum whenever he's on screen, giving us the sense that he's a machine. Just brilliant.

[virgil]

Nancy Allen has aged VERY well. She looks amazing still

[ElMalito]

Kurtwood Smith as the lead villain is the reason why he was chosen to play Red Forman in That 70's Show. Perfect ensemble of strict conservative dad with a bit of death and destruction.

Quote. "Thanks for being here. And I just want to say, when my time comes, I want to be buried face-down so that anyone who doesn't like me can kiss my ass".

[Hicks-gm]

The first Robocop is the best of all the Robocop films bloody violent and character driven

[JounLord]

Pretty cool the house scene is what sold Verhoeven. One of the most powerful scenes in the movie, emotional as heck and really sells the struggle of the ghost of Alex Murphy locked in the metal shell of Robocop. One of the greatest 80s movie (the only reason its not is the stiff competition from the likes of The Terminator, BTTF, Aliens and more) and just plain one of the great movies of all times. Sadly I doubt we'll ever get something new in the series to match RC1 or even 2 but I am looking forward to the new video game made by the same people who did the recent-ish Terminator Resistance which while a flawed game I felt captured the spirit and feel of Terminator better the most movies or games in that series.