Robocop or Roboflop?
Director: José Padihla
Running time: 117 mins
Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Abbie Cornish, Michael Keaton
Remember that guy that couldn’t review the OldBoy remake without constantly referring to the original? Remember what a pretentious prick he was? Well I’m back! And this time to tell you about the new version of RoboCop that’s currently playing in cinemas worldwide. I’ll get it out of the way quickly, it’s nowhere near as fun or subversive or violent as the classic original but it’s still quite a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
You probably already know the story – police officer is pretty much murdered by bad guys but is saved by being rebuilt as an android that catches perps. So how is it different from the 1987 original?
The finished plot is pretty under baked. It begins by asking some very interesting questions about military hardware and drone warfare but somehow in all of the proceeding action the film forgets to provide any answers. It’s this lack of clear direction that detracts from the experience. Is it a movie about the ethics of using machines for policing, is it about how corporations influence politics, or is about a gangly dude who can produce a gun from his leg? Well it’s mainly the last one and that’s ok.
This leads to it being a strangely bloodless movie when compared to the original. Murphy runs around with a stun gun, there’s no gore, and he never once shoots a man in the balls. However once you come to terms with the fact that this isn’t the ultraviolent pic you grew up with, it actually becomes an enjoyable film. There are a few great scenes including a chilling reveal of the changes that Murphy has undergone and an exciting training shootout with robots.
Performances are fine, Kinnaman as Murphy is OK, Michael Keaton is good as the slimy head of Omnicorp, and Gary Oldman is in Commissioner Gordon mode as the nice doctor that rebuilds Murphy. But even the quality acting can’t raise the script above mediocre. Thankfully though, when the talking stops the action starts and the film starts to come alive. Advances in special effects mean that the action is one area where the remake almost betters the original. When there is action it’s great but there just isn’t enough of it.
RoboCop is a lot like the man himself – a highly polished unfeeling product with no blood. But the good news is there is a soul underneath fighting to show itself. Sadly there isn’t enough heart to affect you in any deep way. But if you forget about the original then this remake is a competent action movie with a lot to like about it.
6/10
The Screenkicker Quality Index (SQI)
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Have you seen Robocop? Are you half man, half machine or all man like me? Let me know below and also check out the awesome 80s Robocop cartoon series!
Screenkicker! 
did you really like Robot & Frank that much? I was skeptical, but now perhaps I should see it…
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Yeah I really enjoyed it. Was a nice surprise, you should give it a go
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I like the SQI, helps put it in perspective!
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Haha thanks! Its very scientific!
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Indices, Pie charts, graphs, a 2×2 matrix – I’m a fan of the visual aids!
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That seems to be the consensus. Not as good as the original, but also not terrible as an action flick.
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Yeah, if the ending had been better I would have given it a 7. I still enjoyed it
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A lot better of a remake than it had any right to be, although I do think it could have been less dull and decided to change some things up with its story more. Good review.
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Thanks mate! Yeah there were some odd story choices in it, plus the second half was quite poor
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I won’t see this movie because I don’t see the point. It was done well enough the first time and by most people’s accounts the re-make does add much that’s worth seeing.
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I had the Robocop game for the commodor 64. It was on cassette.
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Did you ever play Robocop vs Terminator? It was great
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I’m not a big fan of the Hollywood remake bandwagon as of late and I think most of them suck, Evil Dead, Carrie, Texas Chansaw (again), etc… But no one has cried foul on this one so I may give it a shot.
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Yeah it’s quite good fun but don’t be expecting anything as memorable as the original
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Seems we are pretty much in agreement on the remake dude! Nice. I had a bit more of a problem accepting Keaton since he was pretty lame, but good to see others enjoyed him. Everyone else wasn’t too bad but yeah, I really wish it was more violent. Which is a weird complaint to have, but yeah. . .we’re talking about RoboCop here. 😀
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Thanks Tom! I though Keaton was pretty good. But yeah it needed some ultraviolence! And the ending was very weak
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I would like an in-depth review of that SNES game please.
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You really don’t want that! It’s widely considered one of the worst games ever made. It was a fighting game that only had one character to choose!
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Nice review mate. I actually watched the original the other week for the first time and didn’t really rate it. It hasn’t aged well. I might give this a go though, doesn’t sound too terrible. As for Rise of the Robots, I actually had that on the PC. Terrible, terrible game.
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The original Robocop is really of its time and the effects seen a bit shit now but I’ll still watch it anytime it’s on.
I remember how bad Rise of the Robots was too, you could only play as one character!
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Watched Robot and Frank again last weekend, I love it even more second time round.
There should be a Robocop vs Terminator vs Robot vs Frank game
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Robot and Frank would just break into OCP and turn Robocop off
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Oh I LOVE Robot & Frank! I agree though Mikey, there’s a lot to like in this remake, even if it’d never be as good as the original. Joel Kinnaman did a decent job in the lead role, but it’s Gary Oldman who’s the scene stealer.
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I’m glad more people have seen Robot and Frank!
Gary Oldman was great and the first half of the film was great, but I don’t think it built upon that enough
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Nicely done Mikey… can’t say I will be rushing to check this out though!
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I keep forgetting you have a phobia of both robots and cops
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Shhhhh! I shared that with you in confidence! 😛
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Ha! Roboflop! You still got it!
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I never lost it!
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Got to agree with you on this one. Serves as popcorn action, but not great popcorn action. Nowhere near as good as the original…
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Yeah it passed the time but wasn’t memorable enough
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Mighty fine review. I actually had a lot more fun with it than I expected. But then again I was expected a huge bowl of crap!
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Thanks buddy! Yeah it was pretty fun
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Robot & Frank rules! But I let the hubby go to this one without me. Meh…
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