Stop! And Watch This Great HBO Max Movie Before It Leaves Next Week (June 2025)

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This week, several movies from HBO and Max will be removed, with some potentially finding no new streaming platform beyond June’s end.

Among the movies mentioned, one is “RoboCop” from 1987, a science fiction action film often hailed as one of the best in its genre.

Don’t miss out on RoboCop, a film that packs in as much action as you’d expect from a blockbuster, but with the added bonus of a thought-provoking storyline, memorable characters, humor, and emotion. Given its impressive performance, it’s worth catching this HBO and Max gem while you still can before it disappears from your screens this week!

‘RoboCop’ Has a Surprisingly Powerful Story

In the opening scenes of RoboCop, it’s clear that Alex Murphy, an ordinary police officer from decaying Detroit (portrayed by Peter Weller), is about to experience a dramatic transformation. After being viciously killed in the line of duty, he is brought back to life as RoboCop through advanced technology. Despite the seemingly implausible scenario, the film manages to elicit genuine empathy for Murphy, both as a human and later as a cyborg.

The screenwriters Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner skillfully structured the narrative around Murphy’s personal journey towards regaining his humanity. However, it was Peter Weller who brought authenticity to this journey on-screen. Weller effectively portrayed both the human side of Murphy and the robotic aspect of RoboCop, with his expressions and movements adding depth to the character. Significant parts of the film relied on Weller’s subtle emotional performances through his lower jaw and mouth, which he executed exceptionally well. By the end of the movie, viewers aren’t just cheering for RoboCop to showcase his strength; they also empathize with him, yearning for Alex Murphy to return.

This Movie Embodies the ’80s in All the Right Ways

The original RoboCop from 1987 is a clear reflection of its era, making it difficult for the 2014 remake to replicate that same impact. This movie carries an R-rating due to graphic violence and intense scenes, particularly the violent death of Murphy at the beginning. The film’s portrayal of justice by RoboCop is harsh, which justifies its mature rating multiple times throughout.

In a surprising throwback to the ’80s, this upcoming film is technically set in the future, but its themes and characters hark back to that era. The corporate world of OCP, with its ruthless competition, mirrors the cutthroat business culture of the ’80s. Similarly, the police interactions in the movie echo the dynamics of the period.

Notably, Ronny Cox delivers an outstanding performance as Dick Jones, a high-ranking executive at OCP who embodies the film’s main antagonist. His character is reminiscent of Michael Douglas’s character from Wall Street, but even more cold-hearted and malevolent. Cox brings to life the corporate raider that was universally despised in the ’80s, making it hard not to revel in his eventual downfall.

The Film’s Satire Is Sharp — and Incredibly Funny

The humorously satirical aspect of RoboCop primarily stems from the direction of Paul Verhoeven, who infused similar comedic elements into his work on Starship Troopers. Verhoeven, known for this style, later directed the controversial film Showgirls, and despite its initial reception, it has garnered a following over the years due to the director’s distinctive approach. The ED-209, an early model of RoboCop, is particularly comical because it’s inefficient yet deadly at a moment’s notice.

What makes RoboCop stand out is that it manages to include genuinely amusing scenes without slipping into being a parody or a farce. For instance, Kurtwood Smith‘s character Clarence Boddicker delivers some humorous dialogue, yet he also effectively portrays a threatening presence. Notably, Boddocker is the one who brutally murders Murphy in a particularly gruesome manner.

In an unexpectedly humorous twist, even RoboCop finds himself chuckling when he employs his targeting system to hit a would-be rapist in a sensitive area. The scene isn’t intended to be funny, but it manages to elicit laughter nonetheless. Many of RoboCop‘s most comedic moments can be found in the mock TV footage scattered throughout the film. These moments serve as a brief respite for the audience, providing them with an opportunity to laugh and alleviate tension before being plunged back into one of the finest sci-fi films ever created.

Until June 30th, you can stream “RoboCop” on Max. Interestingly, the 2014 version of “RoboCop,” which will also be removed from Max on June 30th, seems to have missed the mark when it comes to understanding what made the original so exceptional.

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2025-06-26 16:53