Robocop

Robocop 1987
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Writers: Ed Neumier and Michael Miner
Starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Ronny Cox, Miguel Ferrer, Dan O'Herlihy, Kurtwood Smith, Ray Wise and Felton Perry

This is probably one of the best sci-fi films ever made and one that get better with each repeated viewing. IT has really aged gracefully and the use of media in the film is still really relevant today with the saturation of 24 hour news channels now. the anchors in the film you could easily see having their own show on Fox News. The film is ultra violent and gory which really works with the subject matter. The film is really a comic book come to life with the dynamic action sequences and the rousing score that makes you feel that you are in for a ass kicking time. This was the first of Verhoeven's many sci-fi films and still his best I believe. It has a smart script that really makes you sympathize with Robocop. The cast is solid as well, not a bad performance in the film. The film has a distinct visual style that is both campy and hard edged at the same time. The design of Robocop by Rob Bottin is genius and still looks great in the modern filmmaking world of CGI. The sense of satire in the intercut media scenes is a great deft touch too that really lightens the film and makes you grin as you watch it.
The plot basics are this, it is the near future and Detroit is crime ridden and in need of some extraordinary help to police this ongoing problem. There is a corporation that is running the city OCP and they created a huge police robot that develops a major glitch so they look into other options. When policeman Alex Murphy (Weller) is killed by a street gang they find their solution. They use what's left of his body and meld it with cybernetics and create the first robotic super cop, Robocop. He is a rousing success till he discovers that the had crime boss, Clarence Boddekker (Smith) is working for the vice president of OCP, Dick Jones (Cox). this doesn't sit well with Jones and soon the entire city is out for Robocop's blood. With the help of his ex partner (Allen), Robocop plans to bring down Smith and the gang that killed him in his first life.
This is a rousing and exciting sci-fi film. Verhoeven's direction is taut and intense. He really choreographed the action sequences well. He also has a great touch with the media scenes and the faux commercials. He also balances the humanity of the film well too, as Murphy tries to reconnect with his past self. The script is smart and fast paced. The story points really makes it feel like a comic book come to life, but it still gives great depth to the character of Rococo. the villains are very broadly drawn and really are caricatures of evil, but that really works in the film. The cast is exemplary. Weller really gives a great monotone performance as Robocop that really works very well. Allen is very good as his partner trying to help him reconnect with his lost humanity. Cox as always plays a great behind the scenes villains and his scene in the restroom with Ferrer is classic. Smith as the physical villain is great and has some of the most memorable lines from the film. Ferrer's role is small but very crucial and memorable. I especially loved the scene in his apartment. The SFX and effects in the film are outstanding. The ED-209 is an amazing stop motion effect and the blood and gore flies copiously throughout the film. My favorite example of this is the toxic waste scene, it is so grody but so much fun. The score by Basil Poliderous is great. long after you see the film the theme is still pounding in your head. This is one of the most influential sci-fi films and a must see for action and sci-fi fans.
This one gets 5 out of 5