I never saw any of the Robocop movies as a kid, I grew up a bit too late to get into the franchise and yet I knew perfectly who he was, I even had an action figure. My interest was never big enough for me to seek out the movie and watch it and so the years passed. The concept of robocop only felt more ridiculous as I got older so my interest was never really there despite how much people said the movie was a classic. So I decided to watch all of the Robocop franchise, starting with the movies.
Trilogies back in the day were fun since they were never meant to be a trilogy, just kind of sequels and since only 3 were made then boom you called it a trilogy to cash in on the Star Wars craze. I first watched the Robocop trilogy and I wish more themes had carried between each movie and that it got a better arc but I guess it wasn’t the time for that. I’m still happy the sequels did dwell with some of the themes, though its full potential was never used. The concept could’ve done some great 80s action movies that were far more kid friendly and also more philosophical adult movies, sadly it didn’t do either or.
Robocop
80s movies have a certain feel and this certainly has it. Murphy’s death is pretty gruesome and in general the movie can be very gory which grabbed me by surprise. It’s an interesting concept for a movie but I don’t feel it’s life changing or innovative. but perhaps I need to get my mindset in the 80s whenever it came out. It’s shocking to see robocop being a murderer. I can see the kid appeal and potential which is why it was marketed towards them. The stop motion looks awful but I love every minute of it. I have to admit that the movie is good but not the piece of art some people made it out to be. I mean it’s a gritty serious RoboCop take but not what I expected and I guess no expectations would’ve worked better I don’t know. It was not a bad movie I just wanted more action I guess.
Robocop 2
I like how RoboCop can just use police brutality and no one gives a crap. The “Is he human?” segments are kinda neat. I also like the change in color palette to having him be more blue than silver. The concept is still silly so might as well work with it. The movie does feel like a sequel asking questions of RoboCop and who he is. And yet it’s a weird sequel that feels like a continuation, still gritty and different at the same time. It’s aso a bit more ridiculous but also has other better stuff like the final fight. The ed 209 is still cooler end boss though.
Robocop 3
Well the film begins more like I would think robocop was going to be like, I feel an evolution on the story arc of Murphy being a person and not a robot which I find interesting. The movie is definitely upping the cheese on some parts but it does continue the story of his humanityoddly enough. The ninja is ridiculous but awesome, I won’t budge. I don’t know I like the sequels, they continue the story. I know they’re silly but the original I didn’t find groundbreaking.
Robocop 2014
We got a reboot and everyone hated it and yet the movie isn’t half bad. It looks like a modern version of the character and they give modern motives and a more straight forward story. Don’t understand the hate it gets, it did modernize the silly concept and it has a different enough storyline from the original. It is not a rehash so like it reimagining themes the original movies never dwelled on. The ending doesnt need a sequel so it’s a nice story with a cool robot suit made that made robocop cool for the first time in 40 years.
Overall the Robocop movies do seem to be a product of their time. I don’t think new generations will be able to ever get the same feel the people who grew up with them did. I don’t think any of them are bad films but I can’t say I’ve become a fan after watching them. I’m just glad I finally have the context of who Robocop is instead of having my idea of what he was without having watched the movies.