Mark Kermode reviews Robocop

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

Its amazing how good and creative Hollywood was in the 80s. Then when I seen Robocop I was blown away by the originality as I was with Alien, Total recall, Terminator all of Spielberg's, and more, the list is endless. So how will a remake live up to any of them. So the adults have already seen them and the kids know of them. Its sad when a all a critic has to say "not as bad as I thought" with the origional in mind

[@charlielogan2538]

Well, as the saying goes 'we can see for miles, because we stand on the shoulders of Giants'. The 70's were glorious for 'meaningful' films. Heck, even Star Wars was, basically, about totalitarianism. That's no surprise given Lucas made THX1138 before that. My point is, if the ground work had not been done in the 70's(for arguments sake, let's lump 2001 ASO in the 70's, that being the single greatest anti authoritarian film in Hollywood history), then there wouldn't of been the movies you mention in the 80's.

[@icecubatron]

I watched the original Robocop not that long ago and the special effects still look great. I really don't see the point of remaking remaking Robocop.

[@12schoolies]

Mark the reason the remade Robocop is that it's 2014 not 1987. There is a whole new generation waiting to fall in love with the story again.

[@OliverHarper]

Mark was way too kind. It was very bad and a total bore. One of the worst remakes. To be honest i'd rather watch Robocop 3.

[@theinternetgavemeaids5393]

Oliver Harper lol I was just watching your retrospective!

[@shadowman2192]

This guy is a good critic.

[@scrubbychicken]

"There are things in it that are actually perfectly... alright". haha love it.

[@StanWilks]

I completely agree with you Mark. The original RoboCop is my favourite film of all time, going into this I was not only skeptical, but also worried. I actually didn't think that this film was that bad, the political satire was used really well and the 12A rating feels completely fine. Although I do miss the blood splatter from the original. Overall I really don't mind this remake, I did admire the credits theme and Jackie Haley's line, 'I wouldn't buy that for a dollar.'

[@bradboy101]

"nobody ever built a monument to a critic"

[@websalsero]

I agree with him. There is a lot of good things about this movie and I actually enjoyed. Some people just wanted to hate this film, before they even saw it.

[@jetstreamjohn3058]

This sounds like a very fair review. It doesn't look outstandingly bad, but it does look "not as bad as it could have been" while there being the question of a remake being needed at all. Some nitpicks: - It was Verhoven's wife who gave the RoboCop script a second chance - Most of the social satire was in the script, by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner. Director's tend to get too much credit for movies. Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner also did the script for Starship Troopers.

[@MJ2327]

after watching this review i'm curious can somebody reveal the song they are talking about? (which plays during the credits...)

[@mat24486]

Fed up of remakes. Not watching it.

[@hunterkiller1440]

I enjoyed this movie. But my gripes were the ending, how it randomly connects the bad guys together felt very forced and the bad guys are like generic villains no character development whatsoever. The remake is like a PG-13 version of the original that's modernized, no Clarence Boddicker style villain and never showed us how Dick Jones is related with Clarence Boddicker.

[@hobowithashotgun48]

I was very sceptical of this remake like everyone else, until I realized it was made by the guy who also directed the Elite Squad movies, which were fantastic. Plus, a mixture of action and political commentary is exactly what he's good at.

[@jetstreamjohn3058]

"sceptical" It's spelled "Skeptical".

[@Sinnessa]

Jetstream John Not in Britain it isn't.

[@hobowithashotgun48]

Jetstream John in Britain it's sceptical. Don't try to correct someone before you're sure that you're right. Makes you sound like an idiot.

[@DeepEye1994]

I was surprised by this movie.

[@Vebinz]

I tend to think that in the original the "man vs machine" theme is actually a secondary importance to the politica/social satire.

[@limecat1986]

"It's far less bad than you'd expect" That's not saying much still about this remake. Say "It's actually brilliant", then you have a complimentary review.

[@TheIrishGamerGuy]

I thought the movie was decent, original is better but it maintained the themes more or less albeit some were marginalised more than I wish.

[@steven_lobo]

He says that the movie isn't bad, talk a lot of great things about the movie but never say what we think he want to say, that he really liked it.

[@wucodu]

Shockingly, I really enjoyed it. The rating wasn't an issue, I loved the gore in the original, but this film takes a different approach entirely and it's works fine. Those who're criticising a lack of satire, clearly haven't seen the film, SLJ does a great job of parodying Bill O Reilly's 'The O'Reilly Factor'. They're right about the credit track rounding the film off well too (The Clash - I Fought the Law). It's honestly one of a few remakes I've enjoyed in recent years; saying that, I'm struggling to think of any others... Dawn of the Dead, yeah; this and DOTD. Every time I see another 'remake', I tell myself it'll be the last one, but films like this are keeping me on edge.

[@elenaphisher244]

The film is great, and it shows his family dealing with the tragedy more than the original did.

[@JD1010101110]

I don't get the point of remaking something unless you are taking it a completely new direction. Otherwise what is the remake adding to our culture?

[@Antonio_Barrino]

I felt it was actually very well put together. They did well to remake that....so....I mean.....as a fan of the old franchise....I enjoyed how they changed the story up...they could have always told the story just was it was.....think about it

[@DieMenschMaschine85]

Hmmm...might actually watch this film now.

[@Luvie1980]

I have no desire to see this film. The first, original, one did it for me.

[@VodCrack]

Saw it a few hours ago. Everyone seems to be awfully pissy in this comment section, I think Mark is just about right here. It's a perfectly decent movie but it doesn't compare to the original and it probably doesn't really need to exist. All the same though, I thought it was enjoyable enough. I actually enjoyed it slightly more than Robocop 2, which I think is a bit rubbish but I have never seen 3.

[@1SaG]

"A lot less bad than it could've been". I guess in this day and age that counts as .. errr .. praise? Thanks, but no thanks. I'm still going to avoid this one like the plague. One of the many, many reasons for that is the PG-13 rating which - at least in my mind - shows that the remake has indeed no respect for the film it's based on.

[@TxWIll]

what's the song at the end of the movie he's talking about?

[@DrDavidCJames]

Findecanor on KZbin It's the Clash - I Fought the Law

[@RedUncle]

what is the end credits track to which they're referring?

[@killzoneroper]

i fought the law

[@RedUncle]

thank you, man!

[@shamanahaboolist]

Yeah I think I'm with Kermode on this. I really don't know how I feel about it but I do know it wasn't a terrible movie. The problem I have is that I feel like the movie changed the fundamental nature of Robocop. The future was less dystopian in the new film and I'm not sure that worked. In fact it felt a little like a pro 'murica, pro military drone, pro surveillance propaganda pitch disguised as satire.

[@opsin]

When I saw in the trailer the line "you've got to talk to your son" I lost what little interest I had. No you really don't. You'll make him a monster!

[@roasty80]

Saw it twice at imax. Awesome and love the original too

[@shanecochran2491]

Nicer than I thought he would be

[@SteveFusionX]

From hearing reviews and seeing the trailer.. it seems this whole movie is about advertising or normalising the use of the US/UK drone program (to "liberate" the middleast) Is this a fair assumption? (to anyone who has seen the film)

[@LSJShez]

I feel the same way about it as I do Terminator Salvation.

[@BronzeBullBalls]

The problem with the film is that they called it: Robocop. They even used the music and the logo from the original. This remake in no way tried to do something completely different with the source material... it was a strictly by the numbers typical Hollywood action movie.

[@burkezillar]

Ah now Mark, what's going on? My opinion of the original film was that it centered around a man who was murdered and then ressurected. You then see him go through a process where he's finding his own identity, knowing what happened to him and who did it, and more importantly what was taken away from him. You only seen his family in flashbacks. Judging only from the trailers, they've not done that. The family are still involved in his life, and more importantly you can see him kick back against his creators. Part of his programming in the original film was that he couldn't do anything against a serving OCP officer. So what the hell? From what I can see in the trailer that's there to entice people to see the film, they've made Frankenstien film out of metal. Also, his movement - not exactly robot like is it? The guy who played Murphy in Robocop: Prime Directives does a better impersonation of a machine than this bloke in the new film - and that is saying A LOT! What has Paul Veerhoven done to Hollywood to make them want to destroy two of his most iconic films? I haven't watched the new Total Recall out of protest as, like Robocop, it didn't need to be remade. I mean bloody hell they don't even get to Mars in the new film, THATS THE WHOLE POINT OF TOTAL RECALL!

[@burkezillar]

The whole point of a trailer is to entice me in to the cinema to watch it. If I'm to ignore the trailer, what is the point of the trailer in the first place?

[@burkezillar]

Trailers are made up of the best bits of the film to get cinema goer's to go and see it. I point blank refuse to spend nearly £10 to go and see this film when the trailer has told me all I need to know. If you have a genuine argument about what I said - how I'm wrong etc - then I'm all for hearing it. But saying I should actually pay to watch a film whereby the trailer has failed to convince me to part with my hard earned cash is no argument at all.

[@burkezillar]

Also, Mr.Kermode will get his ticket prices back as expenses (either by the BBC or HMRC). I don't have that luxury.

[@burkezillar]

It's not just a film, it's a part of my childhood. It's like someone taking your teddy bear and butchering it up, then restitching it to make it different and then it being given back to you. It's just not cricket.

[@monoperative]

Michael Burke Your teddy bear still exists - that is to say, the original Robocop film still exists, you can still watch it. It's not like they've recorded over it with the new film or anything. Also, I agree with Christopher. While I understand your point about the trailer essentially being a 'best of' reel to entice punters into the theater, anyone who's ever gone to the cinema more than a few times in their life will no doubt be aware of the fact that, a large proportion of the time, the trailer for a film can bear very little resemblance to the full feature. So, it makes far more sense for a savvy filmgoer to seek out the viewpoint of a respected film journalist, rather than rely on inherently misleading trailers. That's certainly why I'm here - I trust Kermode's judgement, and wanted to hear his take on this film so that I can decide whether or not to see it myself. Is that not why you watched this review, too? If you're here merely to suggest that his relatively positive review of the film is wrong, then you're setting yourself up for ridicule - he admits to initially having very low expectations, and while still unconvinced that the remake is warranted, is happy to concede that he enjoyed it in the end. Seeing as he's seen the film and you haven't, you're not exactly in a position to refute his opinion.

[@Quickblood1]

I saw it this afternoon and it's OK, I'm not really sure what people are ranting about.

[@SteveFusionX]

What was the deal with the "drone" storyline? Did the film make the use of drone attacks a positive thing? This is a deal breaker for me lol (even though this film is fictional) I don't like the idea of films promoting our illegal wars and drone-program in any form.

[@Quickblood1]

SteveFusionX . I really don't remember the film promoting drones, I take it this was one of Pat Novak news bits but that was propaganda.

[@DrGregoryHouseIT]

SteveFusionX . The drone storyline is actually pointing out the opposite. The evil character (and the TV presenter played by Samuel L. Jackson) who promote the use of those are painted as evil and insane. All in all, it's a good movie with some faults, that works quite nicely as a companion piece, not superior in any way shape or form to the original (maybe to the sequels, certainly to number 3) but worthy of the Robocop name nonetheless.

[@SteveFusionX]

Gregory House Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad to hear the drone storyline is told in that way, I had a feeling it would be from seeing the trailer and the "why is everyone so Robophobic?" line was cool. I saw Man of Steel the other night for the first time on DVD and loved the part where he smashed down the surveillance drones :P I may go see this afterall :)

[@alittleolder]

Why didn't Mark even mention the rating?

[@DopeteK]

ROBOCOP 3 FTW!

[@ZoranRadovanovDrums]

yes!!!

[@SuperWillHatch]

OmniCorp supports this review.

[@The_Griffins_99]

4:07 At this point I quit watching the video

[@Phantom096]

I guess ill give it a chance. So the new one is PG-13. The original was not for children and it is a Masterpiece.

[@Wilks363]

Not as good as the original but enjoyed it none the less..!

[@av733]

I liked the film.

[@HappyCynic]

Kermode finally sells out.

[@vivalaminion2936]

I can't wait till they remake 2001: A Space Odyssey, ET, Forbidden Planet, Back to the Future, Close Encounters, etc. Just think of how awesome it would be to see remakes that aren't as good as the original.

[@ReXtion88]

I think it managed to sneak under the wire with Mark because he was expecting it to be an experience akin to Sex and the City 2 or the Texas Chainsaw remake when in fact it sounds like (haven't seen the film) an experience more akin to the remake of Solaris. Still sounds execrable based on what I have heard and while I will probably watch it I have no intention of paying money to do so.

[@scarface44243213]

I thought it was a pretty damn good film, a lot of ppl are just being biased (I saw the original, it's better) but think of it as a fresh idea & you'll find it to a be a very good action flick.

[@MurderCapital666]

I don't wanna believe it, Kermode... The trailer looks awful, this remake has to be bad.

[@monoperative]

Oh, well if the trailer is bad, then it must be, mustn't it? Because trailers always accurately portray the feel and narrative of the film they're advertising in a way that is not misleading or disingenuous in any way. Oh wait.

[@MurderCapital666]

Arthur Chang Well, the trailer is the selling point, isn't it? And are you saying that they are trying to mislead people to not see the movie with a terrible trailer? Logic, out the window!

[@monoperative]

No, I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying that a trailer cannot always be relied on to provide an accurate representation of the film. I'm seen plenty of good films with rubbish or confusing trailers, and vice versa. Given the inherent brevity of the medium (a commercial, lasting seconds), it's up to the studio to decide what the film's most compelling selling point is, and include as much of it as possible in the trailer - in this case, they've decided that the main draw for Robocop is footage of him shooting baddies and looking cool. They're obviously not trying to convince the audience to stay away, that would be ridiculous.

[@chocolater101]

it was one of the worst films of the year. Just watching the COD style robot fight sceen was just aweful

[@tarantulaguy1998]

Absolutely missed the mark with this review. This remake was about the worst thing it could've possibly been. What elevated the original Robocop movie above just standard action schlock was that it was an interesting commentary on the human condition, with the whole 'I can feel them, but I can't remember them' schtick, plus the fact that Alex Murphy died, not just injured a bit in a car bomb, but he died, as in SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD died, and when he came back as Robocop, all he knew was his directives of law enforcement, and subsequently fought over the course of the movie to regain his humanity. In this trite, glossy, watered down 'remake', he remembers instantly, so that character arc goes right out the window. Not only did all the interesting commentary on the human condition go right out the window when he remembered who he was, Robocop now carries a stun gun. Not the badass awesomeness that was the Beretta Auto 9, a F**KING STUN GUN! This was quite honestly one of the most disappointing movies I've ever seen.

[@wingwong2828]

This is probably the first time I completely disagreed with Kermode. I thought the film was terrible.

[@luizpalombini3425]

I think it would be best for Hollywood to change the word REMAKE to ADAPTATION... I'm from the 80's and I've just saw the Robocop "Remake" and thought it was fantastic!... sure it would be cooler if it was rated-R but the main thing about the movie... free will... human vs machine... humans vs the system... what is to be human... the human value... what humans do better then machines is far... far greater then the original... I loooved the new Robocop and can't wait for the sequel... ps... just the first Robocop was cool the second and third were more or less ok... nothing special.

[@Peroy1]

They did NOT chose the right track for the end credits, because the context is ALL wrong... :/

[@davidmcquaid2557]

I was given this version of Robocop on blu-ray as a gift.... it's now my coffee coaster.

[@danrc777]

Good film! Well directed! It needed a better soundtrack though.

[@MagnificentFiend]

I hope this doesn't set him off on TTSS again...

[@filmblog]

Sorry Mark, but this RoboCop was even more boring than Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. I didn't think that would be possible.

[@theinternetgavemeaids5393]

DeFilmBlog don’t be that guy, it was better then Pirates.

[@trickykid73]

I wouldn't buy that for a dollar !

[@skinwalkerxxx]

Aranovsky screwed us of a Great Wolverine and a Great Robocop.

[@Streetsy]

Just rewatched this. I’m a fan of the original. And this one. It’s a good film that didn’t deserve the bad rap it got when it came out. I agree with some comments here, that remakes are kind of pointless, and I would love to see a new story with this cast. But overall... it’s fun to watch.

[@VYD239]

I'm a massive fan of the original, and was not looking forward to this and still feel the world didn't necessarily 'need' it. But aside from a few frustrations - there's a part when he runs and it looks silly, the soundtrack was kind of weak, his motorcycle could have been introduced in a more dramatic way - it's actually not too bad for a remake. You have to go into the theatre and treat it as another movie in it's own right.

[@alittleolder]

It's still far less effective because of the PG-13 rating. Verhoeven was great with bad language, Sex and especially violence. All that is missing from the new one. Same reason Total Recall didn't work. Those movies should be R rated and that's it.

[@Stav182]

The good Doctor is being far too kind. a terrible film. And I thought the closing credits song was an awful choice. A great song on it's own but a bad idea to close this film.

[@wasantube]

The only problem of the film is originality, that's all. It's a fun film to watch, its not the dark knight but its ok.

[@StuckInnerRut]

Don't know if Mark mentioned it or not but it isn't as bad as it could have been. :p

[@virtncable]

well said most of the actors are better than the 1s in the original

[@nathanbaxter9748]

Please Please Please all directors intending to film remakes. CHANGE THE TITLE! otherwise a good solid short name like Robocop becomes either the Original Robocop or the Robocop Remake. Both Crap in comparision

[@antonzandt159]

Pocobor.

[@relinquis]

They neutered it... There is little consequence to the actions and choices in the film. The violence is sanitised. It is neither graphic, nor is it emotionally/morally honest about what is at stake. Without this, all of the philosophical and moral themes are rendered impotent. No one, years from now, is going to care that this film "is a lot less bad than it could have been". It will have to stand based on what is on the screen and therefore it will fail and be seen as a whitewash of the original.

[@xtraspecialmango]

Such a bloody boring film (& badly directed)

[@lucristianx]

The original was far more Shakespearean

[@ForthMonkee]

Well that was a null opinion if I ever heard one... "It's not as bad as you might imagine in to be if you imagine in to be horrible"? Just view the movie as a standalone and "admit" if you enjoyed it or not for crying out loud.

[@Eliguitar1]

i'll rent down the road maybe...but really mark....i am quite sure you are being too kind here. first of all there can be no pg13 robocop....the utterly savage visceral violence was a huge part of robocop, as was the gritty analog stop motion aesthetic. as well all know the real murphy was brutally dismembered by shotgun by kurtwood smith. full stop. politics or no...it doesn't matter if the vibe is wack. cgi drones don't help.

[@beadelf8158]

terrible film, really disliked this film on every level, the acting, the music, the direction the story went in. Pointless and bland remake!

[@terratrema]

Don't believe it. Not interested in finding out. I gave Kermode a chance with Prometheus and Stoker and in each case was treated to two of the most miserable experiences of my adult life. Also, not interested in continuing to support Hollywood in their plundering of their back catalogue rather than trying to come up with original ideas.

[@BURP39R]

basquat76 I've changed my mind about watching it. Not at the cinema though, no chance. I'll see it for what it is then return to the original. Because it didn't need remaking at all.

[@wallofboingo]

Stoker was great, sorry.

[@Goochbot]

Another pointless remake. Bring on The Crow.

[@jor9423]

Not seen the original but the film is perfectly fine. Generic in style but it does at least maintain a sense of philosophy at its heart

[@WoahLookAtThatFreak]

The original is amazing. This movie is terrible

[@oAlmostFamous]

Quite an empty film I think! Wasn't great but wasn't utterly terrible. All your comments are right really - 12A! Doesn't make sense does it?

[@edding8400]

kermodeandmayo 1337 videos

[@mitrooper]

i was bored out of my skull by this unnecessary movie.

[@jedifonz7684]

Was bored out of my mind with Marc review. Lol

[@12schoolies]

My point is that in 1987 the film was exceptional and is still a good watch. However that is quite a while ago and film CGI has moved on, along with fashion, architecture and music soundtracks. I think an updated version is worthwhile for a new set of teenagers, the target audience. They can watch both and make their mind up. Plus let's see if other critics like it and how it does at the box office. Having said that I am not a fan of remakes.

[@Prolix8]

Erm... Sorry but disagree with Kermode on this one. A total bore and pointless remake. Completely predictable as well.

[@kagewilliams4475]

No. I'm afraid this film is a turd, rolling through Hollywood's landfill.

[@Mankysteve]

Bit like Tron legacy? not a bad film but not brilliant

[@RoodeMenon]

Correct. Good comparison.

[@danrc777]

***** Is it because you simply don't want to see a reboot/remake that you give a bad mark!? Why is it bad?

[@danrc777]

the one on feb 11?

[@Mankysteve]

Dany Rockwell Got to fair to Chris he never mentioned anything about other remakes. I think of recent remakes you've got Total recall on the (far)bottom end spectrum then tron in the middle then at the top Dred.

[@danrc777]

what do you think of the new RoboCop?

[@marcofreitas3844]

Jose´ Padilha s not Hispanic; pronouncing his first name the way JOSE is pronounced in Spanish is wrong

[@dcflake5645]

I'm not sure if this is a good film or not but this was an awful Robocop movie. There is no Robocop character in this movie. Where is his prime directives or even a hint to the laws of robotics? He walks around with his visor off and full human emotions for most of the movie. Just awful.

[@chrishiggins7166]

Despite its strong acting, actions & themes of political intrigue, the film falls into dullness, satire & lack of tension. (46%) (2.5/5 stars) (mixed)

[@Horrorfreak106]

This remake was the worst remake I've ever seen. And I saw the Nightmare on Elm Street remake.

[@cbarcus]

So much better than the original, and the original is good. This one is far better sci-fi.

[@dinojammusic]

i dont know why everyones treating the original robocop with so much respect, remaking it isnt some sort of "travesty", its robocop for gods sake!

[@alozor13]

maybe because the original is a classic in this genre, that is still relevant (maybe more now) and holds up 28 years after its release... this remake, which isn't terrible, will be forgotten in a few weeks after captain america, spiderman, x-men, transformers, tmnt etc are released...

[@dinojammusic]

maybe its just me but i dont regard robocop that way, to me its on the same level as something like starship troopers, a good film, action packed, politically relevant etc but not a "classic"

[@kilroybop]

anderchri But the original Robocop IS a classic. I'm not saying you have love it, that's totally fine that you don't. I'm not a fan of the original Halloween, but at the same time I acknowledge that it's a classic based on its cult status and monumental influence on cinema. The same applies to Robocop.

[@ethzero]

The film was a bloody mess.

[@LegendaryAang]

spoiler.! already watched it almost 2 weeks ago. the elements and story about robocop and conflict is there. the politics satire is great. i really dig the story and most of our question about a man in machine being answered. it feels slow more like tv drama feels more than action movie. the robocop classic music theme are underused in which in my opinion could helps the emotion convey more. at the end great robocop story but wish the director built up more suspense on visual and theme music

[@timetochronicle]

Agreed on all parts. I kinda wanted Robocop to be a hero, the way he was in the original. I "get" that he's more of a family man in the remake, but I think there was an ample situation that he could have been a hero, and they would have restored the classic theme (then again, maybe they might do that for the sequel) For the lack of suspense on visual, I think I'll blame that a bit more on executive decision. I *really* am curious about what Padhilla's true intention for Robocop was, citing his disagreement with the studio.

[@Sheathking]

The remake of Robocop is a soulless, bland mess. Watch the original - one of greatest satires on the privatisation of public services ever filmed - and enjoy. The casting of Joel Kinnaman in any movie should be a red flag to any potential audience.

[@incadove]

It was AWFUL.

[@djpeekay25]

Boring film

[@alidukey12]

fair enough if mark liked it. i just thought this movie was bland, charmless and lacked any of the Witt that made the original great. this film is just so forgettable and boring and the characters in the film don't go anywhere interesting.

[@carljthatsme94]

Got to disagree this film is bad and the satire has gone for the most part, well the black comedy aspects are shattered anyway. Praise where praise is due, I think if you stream it or rent you'll be mildly entertained