Robocop (2014) Paul Verhoven’s 1987 science-fiction action thriller Robocop is one of my favorite science fiction films of all time. Taking its legacy into account I wasn’t surprised that the CGI generation would get its own version of the story. When the new version was released earlier this year from upcoming director José Padhila, the response (as with most remakes) was mixed, but the occasionally positive reviews had me really curious of whether I’d enjoy this version. So did I like it? Well, I think it all strongly varies. It has a very similar premise as the original, but it contrasts very much in tone and appearance. These differences either make the movie enjoyable in its own way or slightly weaken the excitement it’s trying to offer. Where-as the original film was mostly a social commentary about the corruption of both the city environment and the police department, while also focusing on Alex Murphy’s thirst for revenge, the remake focuses on both elements while also showing us how Murphy’s transformation affects his family. The addition of the family subplot gives this version a bit more emotional, as we see Alex Murphy wanting the best for both his wife and son, who were both devastated by the accident which has permanently changed Murphy and are afraid of how this change will affect the behavior of Murphy. When mixed together though, the three plot elements throw the movie in various directions like a glitch-ridden computer program, with the family subplot stealing most of the viewer’s attention. It also doesn’t really help, that while the movie is set in a dystopian future, the movie doesn’t feel very dystopian and instead reminds me of the upbeat “Tomorrowland” ride in Disney Land. As with it’s plot, the movie either has good execution in it’s special effects and performances, or occasionally they come as a little stale. Much like how the original made great use of practical effects, this movie takes full advantage of computers to give the film an engaging updated appearance. The OmniCorp robots are both threatening and frightening when shown on screen, but considering how these robots are viewed negatively by the world for their behavior and functions I would have liked to see them get a little more screen time so the audience can get a firmer idea of why the American citizens were against having them for law enforcement. The Robocop outfit is well designed, and considering how it comes off looking like a ninja outfit, the robot does not perform his duties in an over-the-top fashion, but simply maintains its intense capabilities. As for the characters, some of them are generally memorable, with Joel Kinnaman offering a decent performance as Alex Murphy with his speechless emotion and stable depiction of a mechanical human under someone else’s control while and struggling to escape his confinement. As usual, Gary Oldman has an effective presence as the good-natured and persistent Dr. Norton who is trying hard to do his duty for a corrupt company and maintain a fresh relationship with Murphy. Abbie Cornish makes the best of her scenes, as the typical worried wife and mother Clara Murphy. The more antagonistic characters such as Anotoine Vallon (Patrick Gallow), Raymond Sellers (Michael Keaton) and Karen Dean (Marianna Jean Baptiste) have their motivations, but I fell they are a little flat and don’t come off entirely as threatening as they could be. With strengths and weaknesses within the craft of José Padhilla’s Robocop remake, the film just manages to be a solid remake. While I like the new things, the film was trying to focus on I just feel they make the pale a little in comparison to the more metaphoric original version. On it’s own, this remake is a fun action-thriller that does a decent job staying in line with what made the original really exciting, but left me slightly unsatisfied. 6.5/10
Posted on: Sun, 15 Jun 2014 16:22:13 +0000
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