ROBOCOP DVD (2014)

SYNOPSIS: In the year 2028, greedy conglomerate OmniCorp uses robotic technology to transform critically injured police officer Alex Murphy into the ultimate crime fighter. He's part-man, part-rmachine...he's Robocop! Back on the streets, Murphy is hardwired for law enforcement but the mind and memories of the human inside long to take over...and the results could be catastrophic.

MOVIE REVIEW:

The original Robocop was an eclectic mix of humor, action and social commentary. 27 years later, Paul Verhoeven’s first Hollywood movie still stands as an iconic piece of work. With a series of past MGM’s properties being earmarked for remakes, the languishing Robocop property finally gets a makeover by Brazilian director José Padilha (Elite Squad).

The outline of the 2014 version remains the same as before. A fierceless police officer Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) is critically injured in a car bomb. Being picked as a candidate for Omnicorp’s “robot soldier” law enforcement product line, Murphy is slowly turned into a walking mechanical robot by scientist Dr Dennett Norton (Gary Oldman). Though more than capable in the combat field, Murphy still retains his emotional conscious much to the dismay of Omnicorp CEO, Raymond Sellars (Michael Keaton) who wants him under constant control. With his family at stake and his enemies at large, Murphy must first set things straight before the world welcomes a part-man, part-robot police officer.

The reboot version doesn’t have a lot of action or fun going on despite a rather hefty running time of nearly two hours. Padilha’s constant emphasis on Murphy’s family welfare especially his young son and his on-and-off conscious status provides a surprisingly heartwarming narrative instead. In addition, the ongoing debate between Norton and the corporate scheming Sellars while answering moral questions and the current political world dragged on far too long making them the two obvious main differences that detract from the original Robocop.  

There isn’t much showcase on why the future Detroit is in need of such technology and the core villain, crime boss Antoine Vallon (Patrick Garrow) is largely ignored as compared to Kurtwood Smith’s memorable outing. Padilha’s favour of indepth storytelling of the relationships between the main characters and MGM’s insistence of a friendlier rating sacrificed the various entertaining aspects which made the Paul Verhoeven’s flick a classic. Gone are the outrageous violence and the tongue-in-cheek humour, the new Robocop is loaded with far more brain than ammunition. The latter firing at all angles at the movie’s climatic finale that took place at the Omnicorp building.  

Serving as one of Hollywood’s many reboots, the new Robocop might still win over new fans with its slick metallic black outfit and rooted treatment. It’s not half as bad as you imagine but lacking the adrenalin of the original might just drive some away.  

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Five insignificant, short Deleted Scenes are included in the extras. Omnicorp Product Announcement is just a slew of fake commercials featuring Omnicorp technologies. Lastly, Theatrical Trailers are also included. 

AUDIO/VISUAL:

The visual is sharp and brimming with details and the Dolby Digital 5.1 provides viewers with clear dialogue and a soundtrack which is surprisingly subtle until the big finale. 

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee