Movie Review: Robocop

by Toh Hong Rui

PHOTO: www.robocop.com

RoboCop

Action, Science Fiction [NC16]
Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L Jackson
118 min

(Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars)

Movie reboots are a rising trend in recent years, and RoboCop is one of the latest movies to get one. Fans are excited about RoboCop as it has gained a steady cult following since the 1987 classic movie of the same name.

RoboCop follows the titular character, policeman Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman), in his transition from human to the first half-man, half-robot ever created. After escaping death, Murphy’s wife enlists him in the RoboCop programme to become the ultimate law enforcement solution, wrecking his body for the transition.

RoboCop was sanctioned by OmniCorp, a leading company in robot technology, which aims to convince the skeptical public about the beneficial use of robots. Complications arise when Robocop combines the brutal effectiveness of machines and the vulnerable emotions of humans.

Murphy constantly displays internal struggles between his human and robot sides, alternating between playing a loving father and a cold-blooded law enforcer. The modification of the RoboCop software also causes him to lose some of his memories.

However, he manages to retain a sense of vengeance for himself and partner Officer Jack Lewis and, in the process, uncovers a deeper, darker plot. This leads to an eventual showdown between him and his owner, OmniCorp.

While Kinnaman gave a stellar performance switching between human and robot, the one who really stole the show was Gary Oldman as Dr Dennett Norton, the creator of RoboCop. The veteran Oldman was truly in his element, with his gritty portrayal of Dr Norton, who was constantly plagued with moral dilemmas in the show.

However, fans of Samuel L. Jackson may be disappointed. His character as Pat Novak, TV host and hardcore supporter of the robots, plays only a small supporting role in the movie. Nonetheless, Jackson managed to slip his trademark humour into the movie.

Sci-fi and technology geeks will be on the edge of their seats. Despite being set in 2028, the technology shown in the movie is convincingly futuristic — they do not seem too far-fetched and retain a sense of realism. Furthermore, RoboCop’s suit boasts a new, slicker design, one that looks cooler than the angular and bulky one of the 1987 version.

Amid all the futuristic set designs, RoboCop retains some of its 80s elements — its transitions and sets are reminiscent of the period’s portrayal of the technological future.

Impressive computer-generated imagery (CGI) and sleek looking sets aside, avid fans of the 1987 version may feel let down by the story’s heavier focus on politics instead of pure action. The ferocity that was proudly displayed in the 1987 version is lacking here, taking away much of the magic of the original story.