Robocop (2013)

[TheBoySeggy]

Ok, now the first trailer was very so-so - in fact it was bang average at best. This second trailer..? Let's just say that it now has my attention

[dovetail]

Watched this tonight in Singapore where it's just been released and didn't think it suffered from being a remake of Robocop. I thought it was excellent film in its own right dealing with issues of drone warfare and law enforcement. Felt less like sci fi at times and more like a prediction of our not so distant future.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... -warn.html I would definitely recommend. 9/10.

[davewatts001]

I agree that this one doesn't need a remake from an artistic perspective, but let's face it it's the commercial considerations which drive the remakes market, and this is just another one that has a sufficient mix of existing brand awareness and cult following (for the original series) that the remake is almost guaranteed to make its money back by the time it gets to DVD/on demand streaming in about 4 months time, even if it doesn't set the box office alight down at your local multiplex, and even it it does turn out to be crap.

Having said that, I'm really looking forward to it, not least because I'll be at the premiere tomorrow night.

Will report back after the event with my thoughts on the night and on the film.

[witwicky]

can't wait to see this. the trailer looks great. so wanted to go to the premiere, alas didn't win any tickets. but I don't have to wait too long as it comes out this Friday :)

[davewatts001]

Just back from what purported to be the world premiere at BFI IMAX Waterloo (though as per a previous posting, it appears to have been playing in the Far East during the last week or so).

Quite a lively premiere, with TV presenter Alex Zane acting as MC, asking the celebs all the usual obvious questions (what was it like working with Gary Oldman etc) as they arrived on the (bespoke blue, rather than red, carpet) and lots of extras dressed as robotic policemen. The aforementioned Mr Oldman, Abbie Cornish and Robocop himself, Joel Kinnaman, were the leading cast members present (no Samuel L Jackson or Michael Keaton), and trailing behind were a selection of minor celebs including comedian Bill Bailey, Katie Price and most of the hunks and totty from TV reality show TOWIE. See Thursday's Daily Mail (no doubt) for all the pictures.

And so onto the film. Probably no point trying to compare it to the original (but that won't stop me). If you grew up with it, chances are you consider it a classic. If you are a teenage boy (presumably the target demographic for this remake) you may never have seen it.

I think it will get very mixed reviews. All the primary elements from the original are there (although not necessarily in the same order) but personally I thought there was sufficient which was different to make this a worthwhile viewing in its own right. It gets off to a good start and concludes well but I thought it sagged a little in the middle. Some decent effects shots, particularly in the opening segment, but I thought some a little ropey. Good work in surprisingly meaty roles for Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton and a fun turn from Samuel L Jackson whose character provides some much needed humour and satire and a neat framing device. Not entirely convinced that Joel Kinnaman has what it takes to become a bona fide movie star on this performance, but his title role here will be a significant career boost. Brazilian director Jose Padilha provides one or two interesting visual touches in his Hollywood debut and will probably pick up other English language gigs on the back of this but overall it marks him down as one to watch, rather than someone with a distinctive vision.

Overall, better than expected (and feared) and a decent piece of Saturday night popcorn entertainment, with a few topical themes lurking within if you really want to think about them rather than leave your brain at the door.

[LondonCityNights]

I saw it at the IMAX premiere last night too, and I similarly didn't think it was that bad. It's far from perfect (bit visually uninspired, crap action scenes and a few dodgy performances), but there's enough good, interesting stuff there to make it a worthwhile watch. I thought Gary Oldman in particular was outstanding, and Michael Keaton (who it's always nice to see) was very good.

That scene where they show what's left of his body.... brrrr - gave me the shivers!

Here's my review:

http://www.londoncitynights.com/2014/02 ... dilha.html

★★★

[philipand96]

It has been 27 years since the Original Robocop and with all advancements that 1/4 of a century brings it would appear that the 2014 Robocop is the original the 1987 the remake

Whilst I have NOT yet seen it, until today I completely unaware of the 12A certification

PROBLEM
There was a TV series which failed as you could not have Robocop killing will nilly so he shot things that fell and "neutralised" any threat, rather neutralize the threat with extreme prejudice
1987 ROBOCOP KILLS 2014 NEUTRALISES”
From “My Super Ex-Girlfriend
“Matt Saunders: I'm not going to help you kill her!
Professor Bedlam: Kill? I didn't say "kill"! I said "neutralize"! It's a neutral word... like Switzerland!

All the negative reviews focus on the remake being a 12A

Part quote from ‘VIEW’ "stripping out both the violence (the original film was an 18, the remake is a 12A) and the dark edged satire in favour of attempting to up the sentimentality factor"

Why make a film aimed at 12 year old, in 6 years the can watch the film that should have been made for ADULTS not an audience

Also from totalfilm.com "Joel Kinnaman talks RoboCop’s PG-13 rating Says it remains a very adult film

So it may seem odd for me to "criticise" a film I have not seen, not so all the positive reviews so either omit these facts or at best say go see the film

This was NOT a film made for adults that had to have certain scenes removed to get a classification
Once you aim at an audience, then there is a raft of things that cannot even be considered and having so looked forward to seeing this, I am surprised that the this route was again taken

It is essentially the film version of the TV series

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

As usual no previews for me but still happily waited this one's release today. And now having seen it,

WELCOME BACK ROBOCOP!

OK, that might be a little misleading, because despite my loving open arm welcome to an old superhero friend that was one of the coolest things that made me giddy back in the 80s, this is not quite a satisfying reboot and indeed as some have said, it is a rather generic. Nevertheless, I thank the film makers for bringing back this great icon to the big screen. Thank you, thank you! It could have sucked like Robocop 3 but I would have still appreciated the effort. Thankfully, this one doesnt suck because this was made with some love and respect. Paul Verhoevon may have made the original Robocop and a definitive classic it was too. But the Robocop character is more than Paul Verhoven, he is too iconic to belong to any one director. Robocop has always been in my top five all time movie superheros. Batman, Superman, Robocop, Spiderman and Darkman, my top five. We need Robocop back...well alright, I needed him back. He may not have originated as a comic but he sure as hell belongs in that genre and of course there was a spawn of Marvel Robocop comics that followed anyway. So that's why I looked forward to seeing this. I just love that we are getting another Robocop film.

And so the film makers deliver him to us with a big hearted effort. The film offers a lot of enjoyment.

But....it also misses so many opportunities to make this a really good film. While the satire (sorry, a much touted word by everyone regards to the original) is fondly embellished to evoke the spirit of the original, the direction lacks finesse and ooomph. There no WOW moments. For instance, those of us fans of the original all remember moments such as the "twenty seconds to comply" or that most violent "death scene" ever, or ED209 going trying to go down a staircase. Moments that stick with you for years. This film has nothing here that will make you think in one week's time..."remember that scene".

Also the narrative is very disjointed and the storyline is not as smart as it wants to be. Too many short cuts are taken. It entertains alright but just doesn't deliver the savvy that Robocop deserves. But there is heart and that is very important to making this at least enjoyable.

All throughout there is an admirable effort to entertain a new generation as well as trying to appease the fans of old. And boy do they give us a lot of teasing nostalgia of the classic Verhoven original. Right down to the theme tune, and I don't mean just a new rendition of it but the actual Basil Poledouris track in what sounded like a straight lift from VHS mono tape!!! I kid you not, you can hear the bloody crackle as it plays. The thug ridden city is almost an exact replicate of the original right down to the sloping car park of the police precinct building that Murphy works at.

But see there lies another of the film's problem. It reminds us too much of the old classic by replicating iconic Verhoeven elements but without the panache. Now I am a person that just watch every film for what it has to deliver, detaching myself from what ever source its based on but here I couldn't quite help myself noticing so much in this film that could have been executed better with more dynamic punch of its insistence to remind me of the original.

As I said there is a lot to enjoy but I haven't listed many yet, have I? Well the one thing that really matters and hence my loving open arm welcome, is that I really like the actor who embodies both Murphy and Robocop in a fresh humane way while never betraying the awesomeness that Robocop is. I never seen the guy before but I dig his portrayal. He is an Alex Murphy, bold, audacious, wreckless but caring. There is a slight twist to his personal life status and it actually enriches the story for it (hence why the partner is a male cop in this version). Peter Weller will always be our definitive Robocop but this guy is a great choice to inherit the role and far better than the other actors that had don the suit in Robocop 3 and the tv series.

Then there is the awesome high calibre support cast of Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton and Samuel Jackson all adding gravitas to making this a better film with Jay Baruchel also adding his always funny and unique comic persona to the proceedings.

This is a family friendly superhero movie so of course you dont get all the shocking gore, swearing and violence of the original...and while I am never fussed about ratings.., I have to admit, the sadistic side of me wanted some good ol' shock gore. Nevertheless, there some nice touches that the film makers dare to get around the certification including the a Samuel Jackson dialogue delivery.

That finally leads me to the action. Although Robocop himself is cool as ever (wished they kept the suit grey though!), the action lacks energy and innovation, its too ordinary. Also a major action scene climax happens in the dark as if they spent all their last remaining budget on obtaining the aforementioned VHS tape. I am not sure if certification plays a part here because it did have a very choppy editing feel to all of the action.

So there is a lot to enjoy and a lot to frustrate with this film but for those who have not seen the original, this will serve as a safely entertaining PG12 introduction before the young 'uns sneak out of bed while parents are asleep and stream the original movie on Daddy's desktop.

But for those of who are devout fans of the original but have a mindset that remakes are blasphemous...then you know what, dont see this because I dont think this film is good enough to change that mindset. But if you, like myself adore the iconic Robocop coming back to our screens and appreciate a decently entertaining effort and accept the frustrations that will come with it, then go see it.


7/10

[LondonCityNights]

As usual no previews for me but still happily waited this one's release today. And now having seen it,

WELCOME BACK ROBOCOP!
]

Great review - really hit the nail on the head.

[Tinpar]

Excited by this... can't wait to see it Wednesday :)