Stream the Ultimate RoboCop Double Feature: Watch the Classic Hit and the Epic Flop Now

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Currently, the intellectual property of RoboCop is thriving, as it’s set to release an expansion for its successful game, RoboCop: Rogue City, and a TV series is in development. Compared to The Terminator franchise, which has always enjoyed greater popularity, RoboCop hasn’t had a flawless journey either. Despite the ups and downs of The Terminator franchise, it’s fair to say that RoboCop’s is built around one exceptional film, an acceptable sequel, and two subsequent disappointments. If you’re interested in watching that outstanding movie, a Max subscription will suffice.

If you’re interested in contrasting the aspects that make it great with those that didn’t work in its flawed remake, you certainly can! Shall we spend this evening watching a double bill featuring it? I propose, “The choice is yours: watch the original or the failed reboot?

What Makes RoboCop (1987) So Great?

After transitioning to Hollywood, the renowned Dutch director Paul Verhoeven showcased a captivating series of films, much like David Cronenberg. His work skillfully blended intense violence with profound ideas, and generally, this combination proved incredibly effective.

From 1983 to 2000, a series of American movies were produced, which featured films such as “Flesh and Blood”, “RoboCop”, “Total Recall”, “Basic Instinct”, “Showgirls”, “Starship Troopers”, and “Hollow Man”. Although “Basic Instinct” stands alone as a classic, director Paul Verhoeven excelled when blending science fiction with satire. Despite the strength of “Total Recall” and “Starship Troopers”, nothing can surpass “RoboCop”.

A significant factor in the film’s appeal lies in the intensity of its satire and the impact of its violent scenes. These can range from an office worker getting gunned down by his own company’s machinery to a gang member being contaminated with toxic substances. However, another crucial element that contributes significantly to the film’s success is its exceptional casting. Peter Weller delivers a compelling performance as the main character, and he is ably supported by a trio of convincingly portrayed antagonists: Ronny Cox as a ruthless and treacherous executive from Omni Consumer Products, Kurtwood Smith as his menacing enforcer, and Miguel Ferrer as the ambitious Omni insider who initiates the RoboCop project.

What Makes RoboCop (2014) Such a Failure?

In essence, director José Padilha’s take on the RoboCop remake seems to have been clear in its intention, yet unfortunately, none of it manages to succeed. The satire, aimed at criticizing imperialism, is admirable but fails to leave a lasting impact.

Additionally, the main events seem less impactful, primarily consisting of RoboCop battling training drones. The initial film’s action sequences were graphically intense, contributing to its high stakes and emotional resonance due to the storyline of Alex Murphy’s brutal death, resurrection, and separation from his family. In this version, however, there appears to be a lack of excitement for the viewer.

Just like the initial movie, the new version boasts an exceptional cast. Regrettably, Joel Kinnaman doesn’t get many opportunities to shine as the main character, nor does Gary Oldman in his role as the doctor. Michael Keaton largely takes on the role that Ronny Cox originally played, but he fails to create a truly imposing figure. The root of these problems lies in two aspects: one, the script lacks the spark and sophistication found in the original, and two, the PG-13 rating just doesn’t fit the RoboCop narrative well.

According to Kinnaman himself, he acknowledges the film’s shortcomings. In his own words, “It was an exciting journey,” but looking back now in his career, he believes he might have expressed some of his reservations about it more clearly. Moreover, Kinnaman hinted that if given the chance, he and director Padilha could have paid more attention to fan feedback beforehand.

Regarding the film’s more toned-down approach compared to expectations, actor Kinnaman had initially believed that RoboCop would receive an R rating. In his own words, “During my first interview for RoboCop, immediately after being cast…I was asked the first questions about RoboCop, and the question was, ‘So, will it be rated R?’ To which I replied, ‘Naturally, it’s going to be R-rated! Who in their right mind would make RoboCop a PG-13 movie?’ The next morning, I woke up to 47 missed calls.

If you’re keen on continuing your binge-watch with “RoboCop 2” and “RoboCop 3”, streaming these films would require a visit to MGM+. If you managed to endure the 2014 movie, it might be somewhat rewarding since “RoboCop 2” is one of the better movies in the series. As for “RoboCop 3”, it’s also quite diluted and messy, typical of a PG-13 rating. However, compared to the remake, “RoboCop 3” had more distinct character.

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2025-04-20 21:41