Robocop (1987) - The Most Epic Entrance in Cinema

Here is why Paul Verhoeven's classic Robocop (1987) sets itself apart from other hero and superhero action movies. Most superhero entrances are filled with glamour and spectacle. Robocop's entrance is unique because it uses understatement rather than flare and glare.
What do you think? Leave a comment, subscribe, hit the notification bell, and share if you liked it!
00:00 - Intro
01:07 - Typical Hero Entrances
2:48 - Why Robocop's entrance is more memorable
3:04 - Robocop's entrance
3:45 - Breakdown of prelude to entrance
4:30 - Stroke of genius, Robocop reveal
6:21 - Deconstructing Robocop's entrance
7:31 - The power of restraint in film
10:21 - Like and subscribe. You have 20 seconds to comply.
10:47 - Robocop's full reveal
13:18 - Outtakes

[@ThomasFerrugia]

On the Criterion Edition DVD commentary, Verhoeven says he chose to reveal Robocop this way to help the audience slowly accept Robocop's appearance. He was concerned that one large reveal would cause the audience to immediately think "man in a suit." And, as we all know, it worked beautifully.

[@notallthatbad]

Interesting, I didn't know that! Makes sense, and it was (is) a brilliant approach. Thanks for that.

[@56postoffice]

Verhoeven stated he revealed Robocop bit by bit because he didn't want people to laugh. And you're right: it worked to a tee.

[@epsilon6516]

It’s a miracle that this movie was even finished, it went through absolute production hell. The suit itself wasn’t even working for a long time, and they almost scrapped the whole project. One of my favorite behind the scenes facts is that in the original script RoboCop wasn’t supposed to be slow, lumbering, and robotic like he is in the final product, this was a limitation because Peter Weller could barely move in the suit, so they had to completely reimagine how he moved and operated. This matches up with how you’re saying that Verhoeven want to show him to the audience slowly, because he didn’t think it was working at all.

[@hdfiuhl]

@@epsilon6516 May well be, sort of enforced artist approach, you are aware of your downsides, but do not want to give up, so you try to rework the downsided to the upsides rather by setting up the scenes, like the well written book or so... Remember seeing this in the 90es on VHS with single voice cheap dubbing from copy of a copy of a copy (I guess 😂)and still it had lasting impact, as it was quite different to anything I saw before...

[@ME-hw1pg]

@@notallthatbadbroooo you forgot the gun scene when the whole police department stops because of the immense sound of RoboCops gun

[@solgoode1]

The sound in the theater of Robocop's footsteps will stay with me forever. It blew me away. It was incredible.

[@notallthatbad]

There are just some sounds in cinema that become ingrained in the culture or stick with you long after you hear them. Lightsabers igniting, Jurassic Park dinosaur, the sound of the Predator, and Robocop's machinations. All magical!

[@SFox-if9id]

We're spoiled today, I think. For us old types, home video audio was a poor shadow of the theatres.. That base element to those heavy footsteps is still enough to make you shiver, I'm so glad we have the audio at home now to do it justice.@@notallthatbad

[@tomtaggart3788]

@@notallthatbadpredator. 100%.

[@macandbern]

True Lies is that film for me. . .that was just insane at the cinema. 😜

[@geort45]

those thuds are engraved in my mind, unique and powerful

[@Rystefn]

Robocop shows up like the monster in a horror movie. First you get hints without him on screen at all. Then you get glimpses. Then you finally see him. It's really well done.

[@oleksandrsavchenko5388]

Never think in this way👍

[@KristovMars]

He is a monster in one sense, like Frankenstein's monster he is alive and conscious but also a created being - and one who is obviously separate from the humans he shares some parts from.

[@jaklumen]

Interesting. Two related franchises, which have all had crossovers together -- Predator and Terminator-- are sometimes described as horror films, because both the Predator warrior and the T-800 are revealed in that way.

[@oleksandrsavchenko5388]

@@jaklumen many action movies has horror elements, such lot of blood and severed limbs.

[@DerDieDasBoB]

i would say, a much better comparison than some superhero movie's 30 years younger. modern (hero)genre movies developed there own language, what Robocob to that time couldn't.

[@amirhashm1]

I'd buy this entrance for a dollar. Considered and executed so well!

[@evshrug]

How about after adjusted for 40 years of inflation?

[@dgurevich1]

It's funny how this ad is almost universally remembered... Even by people who didn't actually watch the movie just know.

[@amirhashm1]

@@evshrug after 40 years he'd probably say I'd finance that for a thousand dollars a month!

[@amirhashm1]

@@dgurevich1 ha yes very true. There should be a psychoanalytical breakdown of why this is!

[@r0ckworthy]

You could probably buy Robocop on VHS for a dollar ;)

[@supersynth818]

I love the scene where he first leaves for the city. Like a knight in shining armor riding out from the castle, made epic by Pouledoris' music.

[@notallthatbad]

Couldn't agree more! Working on a "best scenes" from the movie and that one is included. Stay tuned!

[@finegamingconnoisseur]

Robocop's entrance was so epic because he showed that he didn't need any flashy effects or spectacle to make the audience sit up and pay attention. His stomping footsteps, the background silence, and the fact that he was partially obscured until he sat down on his chair, did all of that. Also, he looked real badass even to this day as he did back then.

[@notallthatbad]

Precisely! And he still holds up. That design is timeless!

[@user-mi5sq4zc5p]

I agree some. But the ED209 had a way bigger, devastating, menacing entrance. When Robocop encounters ED209 the audience knew robo was in deep deep trouble , and at the same time he/robo was the only one could make it against such brutal opponent and yeah there were plenty of dangerous opponents

[@taja1976]

The sound that accompanies Robocop's thudding footstep is absolutely brilliant, it is a low and heavy electrical frequency running through a flanger SFX output. Both intimidating and very atmospheric.

[@notallthatbad]

The sounds are hypnotic, aren't they?

[@RuiMaia-xm6lo]

Just before the reveal, there is one of the most amazing scene transitions ever, from Murphy being declared dead to Robocop first being activated. You can just sense time has passed away, a long time, many things have changed, and all this with a single black screen. No fadeouts, no time stamps, just a black screen is all you need.

[@RCAvhstape]

Showing the employees having an office Christmas party helped show the passage of time, too.

[@MegaLojay]

This movie was such a big part of my childhood......dont tell mom..... But yeah, the whole department going silent, suddenly, actually caused me to hold my breath. Loved it.

[@notallthatbad]

Yes, it really is a "time standing still moment" isn't it? It grabs your attention fully. Incredibly well-conceived and filmed scene like the entire movie. I won't tell your mom if you don't tell mine! XD

[@Hanoua2]

Crazy to think my parent rented the VHS when I was around 6 years old and let me watch it with them XD

[@notallthatbad]

@@Hanoua2 wow! Did you look away for the violent parts?

[@alfredocanas6802]

Every kid I knew watched Robocop, it wasn't meant for kids due to it's gruesome violence but in the 80's kids were allowed to watch violent movies as long as there wasn't any nudity/sex scenes or things like that so we kind of get a pass for that.

[@kingnick6260]

I was starting to think I was the only kid who watched this haha. I’m still traumatized from Murphy’s death, especially the hand explosion 😅

[@DamienLeone84]

Glad to see people continuing to appreciate the absolute brilliance and nuances of this masterpiece. Great video! You should do a follow up on what a masterclass this movie is regarding set ups and payoffs.

[@notallthatbad]

Glad you liked it! Good idea on the set ups and payoffs, and even more nuances. Could explore how Murphy was brutally murdered and got his justice. What other ideas do you have? I'll keep it in mind for part 2! I'm working on a Soldier (Kurt Russell) analysis and review right now!

[@fladder1]

​@@notallthatbad dont forget it is also a drama movie hidden in an action movie!

[@JediPiIot]

I know this is 3 months later, but the data spike he uses to find his killers is what deals the final blow to Clarence, and Directive 4 which came from Jones ultimately was dealt with in the final scene when he is fired, after using it to save his ass when Robocop tried to arrest him@@notallthatbad EDIT: or the "Murphy, it's you" ending up with Robocop saying his name is "Murphy" as the final word in the film. Now I'm not a film analysis person, so maybe these aren't examples. I've just been a Robocop fanboy my whole life lol.

[@johnkingsize]

@@notallthatbad Speaking of nuance and the neat coherence in this work, the music in this movie is a masterpiece. The orchestra used in the movie is overwhelmed with metal, even the lesser themes such as the quick-paced theme of the TV news or the almost techno beats of the scenes involving tech. But the main themes that go with the strongest parts of the moves are the pearl. Murphy is accompanied by brasses that bring his almost naive motivation for keeping order to life with a tune just as optimistic as he is. These same brass play a more degrading tune as he falls, countered by a more ominous tune played with deeper brass. When Murphy comes back as Robocop, his theme is still present, but seemingly enclosed by cold, strong and regular beats of metallic percussions. However, these only lead to Murphy's theme raising higher and stronger. Rarely have I heard a music go so handsomely with its film and it still gives me goosebumps even after twenty years.

[@tobyallen1203]

the sound design in this movie was such a HUGE part of this film. Those footsteps, his sidearm firing, the sound of his holster opening and closing....so damn good

[@notallthatbad]

Yes, those sounds rank up there as culture, like lightsabers and the Jurassic Park T-Tex roar.

[@cockmcsteel6083]

My thoughts exactly. I also find that "white static noise" as a fearful sound, while his heavy stomps fill the room with every step he takes.

[@nintendianajones64]

Oscar winning sound design

[@casedistorted]

That’s what makes me sad about the new RoboCop game is they didn’t get the gun sound correct

[@DavidSherman1980]

@@casedistorted If you're playing on PC through Steam, you can drop in a few modded files which contain the theatrical sound effects of not only his Auto 9, but also his footsteps and the sound of his leg holster opening and closing. It's brilliant and totally adds to the immersion factor.

[@MS-jp3op]

I always loved that during the scene were Robocop stops the two rapists there's a billboard that says "the future has a silver lining" right as essentially a knight in silver armor appears. You nailed it, Robocop is like a force of nature. Justice unleashed, not even technological shackles could hold him back for long.

[@TheMichaelBeck]

I was 15 years old when this came out. Still one of my all time favorite movies.

[@notallthatbad]

Just an awesome movie, a true fixture of the 80s and holds up to this day.

[@bigd7696]

Do you remember the first movie trailer for this? It showed the 1st person walk with the Terminator theme music. I freaked and thought this was a Terminator sequel.

[@TheMichaelBeck]

@@bigd7696 No, I never saw it. It sounds cool. Cheers.

[@patricklee7241]

Same here. One of the best times at the movie theater, great times!

[@Nightweaver1]

I was 8 when I first saw it on HBO (my parents let me watch it, hehe). Never saw it in theaters, sadly.

[@mattybbg6850]

The initial reaction from sgt Reed (Robert DoQui) and the dull electrical hum really sells it for me, very much a 'we're in a whole new world now boys'.

[@DanLemire]

Robocop's entrance was so epic, such a big part of my childhood its original magic will stay with me forever. No music, just the audience slowly accepting Robocop's appearance. You were made to wonder. Was it a good thing or a bad thing? Absolute brilliance. Thank you for this.

[@dzomlija]

Watching this just reminds me how old I really am. Not because of your excellent analysis of why Robocop was such a good movie, but because it reminded me that modern movies are all about spectacle and glamour. Good storytelling is nowadays a secondary thought with regards to movies.

[@notallthatbad]

The cool thing is we can be kids again while watching movies like these, right? 😄

[@davidc.5793]

Absolutely, even to this day, this film still holds its original magic, it's unbelievable. I showed it to my mother and husband not long ago, and they were so glued to the screen the whole time that it was so satisfying to see just how much they were loving this film. ❤

[@notallthatbad]

Absolutely holds its original magic. 😀

[@MrSeedi76]

Even my wife liked it and she's not much of an action fan.

[@shauntbarry]

Absolutely bang on. I saw this at the cinema on it's release and was so teased and excited to finally see Robocop.. One of my favorite films of all time if i'm honest "Can you flyyyyyyyyy Bobby?"

[@notallthatbad]

Seeing it in the theater must have been quite a treat.

[@pbxn-3rdx-85percent]

My favorite Robocop villain line: "BITCHES LEAVE." 😁😁😄

[@edwardferry8247]

Saw it in the cinema in the year of its original release. Probably hard to imagine now 35 years later how incredible the cinema experience of the film was.

[@quixoticeefster2955]

Same here. Saw it in theaters when I was a kid. I even remember the theater I saw it at. The whole experience is frozen in my mind and I barely remember anything anymore. PV was one of the best ever in the biz.

[@edwardferry8247]

@@quixoticeefster2955 yes that’s it exactly, absolutely the same experience as you.

[@tzenophile]

My friends (squeamish math students) hated it. I thought it was brilliant.

[@thegougy]

@@edwardferry8247 @quixoticeefster2955 Remember walking home and talking about the movie all the way (as well as doing robocop moves) That memory of walk by the river in the night lit by streetlights - I never thought I had it. It is funny how brain works

[@victorlgcarvalho]

Paul Verhoeven is very underrated... He's made a ton of late 80's early 90's action movies that actually had implicit messages behind them (like Starship Troopers, Total Recall, Robocop and many others). His attention to detail is great.

[@90lancaster]

There is some out there who would suggest to you if there is anything smart in his movies it is because his (ex) Wife told him to do it and if there isn't it is because she wasn't around to tell him to do it. How much truth there is to that is hard to say.

[@notallthatbad]

Totally! Starship Troopers is another hilarious and on-point gem.

[@danybackstone]

Not really underrated, he has a noun and a reputation at this time, and he forged Arnold Schwarzenegger. you couldn't deny him.

[@Maddin1313]

Robocop, Starship Troopers... I'd like to know more for a dollar! It's the knew "A penny for your thoughts"

[@BlownMacTruck]

He’s underrated to people who don’t really know anything about film. That apparently is you.

[@jarodmasci3445]

As an 80s kid, I can tell you that Robocop had by far the best hero reveal, with Sigourney Weaver activating the mech suit against the Queen a close second. Predator, Gremlins, and T-rex from Jurassic Park are all great too

[@EpicSqu1rrel]

im with you on this!

[@NoahSpurrier]

One of the best action movies ever.

[@notallthatbad]

Truly, on all levels - a classic!

[@puddleglum3306]

All these years and dozens of viewings later and that reveal scene still gives me goosebumps. Damn fine film.

[@iainyoung8057]

This film is in my top 5 favourite films of all time, and will always remain in that list. Watching it as a child and being thrilled by Robocop's awesomeness and violence, only to rewatch it years later and belly laugh through its rough satirical humour... the film's a total gift

[@gray-fox6789]

Robocop, will always be my no. 1 super hero... Still can't believe awesome this movie when i first watch it as a child.

[@notallthatbad]

It's really above the rest - a total classic! Did another video from another underrated movie - Soldier (1998) if you want to check it out. Explores similar themes of redeeming humanity.

[@gray-fox6789]

@@notallthatbad ohh yes, will do! 👍👍

[@pbxn-3rdx-85percent]

80s had great action movies with depth. Remember that Robocop was released after Aliens.

[@shortroundbrown1]

"I'll buy that for a dollar!" 😜

[@notallthatbad]

Classic line!

[@maximan4363]

@@notallthatbad One of those classic lines, you never forget.... Makes me laugh to this day!

[@jackstonehenge]

“ What is this shit? “ love that timing and tone. It has stuck with me for years.

[@Tellin08]

amazing analysis. I knew the reveal of robocop was special but I couldn't find the words and you did wonderfully. The fact that only after 10 minutes of Robo first being revealed there's the first full body reveal and how its even combined with his towering shadow over the bad guys is crazy in how its so well crafted. Robocop is a perfect film for what it is. It honestly keeps getting better with age.

[@michaellavery4899]

Exactly. I don't have the ability to express in words, the brilliance of Robocop's reveal either.

[@Akira2805]

I completely agree with everything you said here. Entrances like this are very much missed. No music, no exotic effects. Just a moving silhouette behind unclear glass and footsteps is all that's given here. This alone just drives the audience to want more, instead of just given the full entrance of today's heros or villans in a single shot entrance revealing everything at once. With that said, this is why this movie stands alone in that regard. Entrances are everything in a movie. It's what makes them so memorable. I had goosebumps when I first saw Robo's entrance. I was frozen, my eyes wide open, complete and utter focus was given by me in that one scene. Nothing else mattered to me.

[@notallthatbad]

Well said. It truly is an awesome reveal. If I didn't know any better, your reaction may have been along the lines of the cops in the room. Silent, wide-eyed, and mesmerized. Same reaction here! 😄

[@albertomorales7579]

Robocop is a classic hands down period 😲👌🏻

[@notallthatbad]

Agreed!

[@pascalcalixte1583]

What also makes the reveal so powerful is the dramatic event that led to his change. The audience got ro feel the impact of getting shot multiple times from Murphy's pov before going to black. No cut scenes after that. Just straight to the doctors/engineers working on him. Brilliant film making.

[@kneekoo]

Back when the movie hit the cinemas, we didn't have trailers on TV. So I went in and experienced it 100% spoiler-free. Typically, you get slow reveals of aliens, maybe to keep your interest up until later in the movie, so it was quite unusual for the hero to be revealed this slowly. The scene of him walking behind the glass walls in the police station was spectacular. The sound effect of his walk is really something best experienced in cinema. It was a truly amazing experience, and I've seen other sci-fi stuff before, including Alien and Star Wars, but this was something else. For the time, it was fantastic. Now of course we're spoiled with amazing visual and sound effects, but even to this day, the original Robocop holds up really well.

[@leroykucia254]

I loved this movie so much as a kid. It is still one of my all time favorites.

[@notallthatbad]

It's one of those movies you can watch over and over again. Truly a classic!

[@johnnyrico707]

Mine too. I even named my son Alex Murphy!

[@owie4070]

Yes! For years this has been one of my favorite character entrances. So good to find a video covering this. 👍

[@Archemeial]

It has nothing to do with age. This is perfection. Plain and simple.

[@meyo1860]

Like you, I saw this movie as a pre-teen at a Boy Scout movie night; I had nightmares for days afterwards but I grew up to love this movie. That slow entrance coupled with the cops running after Robocop to catch a glimpse of him is pure cinematic perfection; still gives me chills to this day.

[@stringfellowhawke2217]

This is one of those movies that checks all of the boxes for me. It is an action, sci-fi, satire, comedy, and drama all wrapped up into one crazy wicked awesome movie. Peter Weller and Kurtwood Smith are at their finniest in this movie. One of the all-time greats! Your analysis is spot on. This is an amazing way of introducing a hero or a villain. You, as the viewer, become attached to the character. It somehow provides you with a sort of emotional and mental investment in the story. Makes for an excellent cinematic experience. I agree sir!

[@opiejaye]

Yes, I 100% agree that this slow reveal is perfect. I always loved the fact there was no "ta-da, it's Robocop!" moment in this, and the first-person human to cyborg transition is an excellent idea.

[@notallthatbad]

Agreed. It is almost like we become imprisoned by the film, forced to see things from Murphy's point of view. Makes it fantastic!

[@wimwiddershins]

Man, those little teaser shots just had me glued to the screen for the big reveal. Robocop is also full of cynical dark humour, Verhoeven made a classic of cinema.

[@knighriderredux]

Makes you realize how epic this time in cinema was. Took it for granted as kid, they just don't make you feel like this anymore.

[@predatorec]

The thing that i think it made him sooo cool is his leg holster, those sounds of opening and closing are absolutely brilliant.... Robo is such a masterpiece.

[@Fivefortymuhkids]

I watched this movie a lot as an 8year old boy. Now as an adult I realise what a masterpiece it truly is. Fantastic dissection and analysis.

[@notallthatbad]

Thanks a lot! I, too, watched it very early on. Amazing!

[@Fivefortymuhkids]

@@notallthatbad il give you a sub 👍

[@aristodiga82]

Yep, definitely one of the few films from my childhood that I still remember today.

[@eigos]

Great overview, I'm from the 90's and was born & bred with appreciation for those movies (timeless classics now)

[@notallthatbad]

Fantastic.

[@OldMovieRob]

Excellent analysis. I remember the scene well of Robocop walking behind that frosted glass and, right when you'd expect him to continue moving clearly into view he makes that turn away from the camera. It always felt like a tease to me, but a great one.

[@notallthatbad]

Thanks, and agreed about the unexpected move he makes.

[@mystrdat]

I dare all Robocop fans to try the new Robocop game, the fan service is unreal. Truly you are Robocop, the sounds, the power fantasy, the movie environments - it's all there.

[@MrThebigcheese75]

Thanks, I'll give it a go

[@x1101126]

His foot sound effect just carved in to my brain. And it will last the very second until I die. Excellent reveal.

[@Antonocon]

When I was a kid I recorded this on video and used to watch it with my brother's and friends repeatedly, along with a good few of the other great 80s movies. I hadn't seen it for about 25 years then, and could barely remember any of it and I watched it again, only to find I was almost able to say the words to different scenes even though I couldn't even quite remember the scene itself. It was bizarre. Love this movie though.

[@cgimovieman]

When I was in college for film and television production, one of the handful of films we watched for analysis in my History and Appreciation of Cinema class was Robocop. Which frankly surprised me at the time, even though I loved the movie. But looking back it really was done so well. Filmmakers today have really lost their way, as has the audience in what they expect or judge as “awesome”. There was a period of a few decades where I would see literally one new movie in theaters every week of the year, and during peak times of the year sometimes more than one a week, or a few in the same day even. But in the past 5-6 years I’ve only seen about 3-4 movies total in theaters. And even with those few I’ve been disappointed and felt like I’ve wanted my money back. One of the few exceptions has been the Mission: Impossible franchise. Maybe the stories are slightly contrived, but I still think they’re good, the acting is decent, and more importantly they shoot so many things on-site in other countries, and do the stunts and action sequences for real. That adds SO much. But it’s a real lost art of the slow reveal, or limited “tastes” or a villain or protagonist hero. Some great examples of this are in Spielberg’s “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park”. It was partially due to limits of technology too, I grant you, but you don’t always just get to constantly see say the shark in “Jaws” or the T-Rex in “Jurassic Park”. But throughout, you have this unsettling feeling like they’re around. Think the barrels in “Jaws” or the thuds or footsteps or distant animal sounds in “Jurassic Park”. This is SO much more creepy, and the few payoffs of seeing those characters/creatures has so much more impact. Everything today is just constantly in your face, bouncing all over the screen 2 feet from camera. It just leaves me with a reaction of “Meh.” seeing them. J.J. Abrams did a decent job slightly more recently with his movie “Super 8”. It was kind of a throwback or earlier movies, but it was so good at not showing you much until the very end. But you heard noises or even got extremely brief glimpses or something that just built your anticipation and gave you this eerie unsettled feeling. I loved it! I hope that Hollywood, as well as what audiences see as “great” finds its way back eventually. I’m so so tired of another superhero or comic book movie, or another sequel or remake. It’s just total garbage to me.

[@notallthatbad]

Very well said! Welcome to the club where we want the old style back. Substance over action!

[@DanielGarcia-se1ww]

When we watch this in the theathers back in the 80s we just knew the movie grabbed our attention from the start and took us in a rollercoster of emotions with us not even noticing until the end of the movie. Speaks volumes about Verhoeven's talent.

[@notallthatbad]

Yes, Verhoeven really knows how to create dynamite movies. His Starship Troopers is another amazing (and hilarious) classic.

[@storm14k]

Yep I remember this. It made him seem so ominous and mysterious. The movie is about him but you don't know if he's the hero. You don't see any strength but you know he's powerful. Well done.

[@saleemds]

Can not agree anymore. I always remember the first time I saw this movie in late 80’s with a lot of it’s scenes saved in my memory.

[@angelfernandez4262]

Robocop is in my top 3 all time movies, with Terminator and Predator. They are all #1's in my estimation. I watched Robocop again, two nights ago and the algorithm obviously put your video in my feed and of course I had to watch. And you sir, couldn't be more correct with your review of this sequence. This video details exactly how I experienced it two nights ago and, how I experienced it when I first saw it at the age of 8. Pure genius this movie is in every facet of filmmaking, directing and producing as well as the selection of Peter Weller, wouldn't have been the same movie without him. Great video dude, well presented, intelligent and, accurate. I am going to crush that fucking subscribe button, keep em coming! I won't make any suggestions as I can tell our sensibilities obviously run together. Great job!!

[@rapidmandarinliqing501]

Thank you for bring us back to this classic film, looking forward to the next one ❤️

[@notallthatbad]

Your welcome. Thanks for watching it. Another video coming tomorrow!

[@zognarreg]

I think about those awesome sounding footsteps in the police station to this day. Also, even as a kid I appreciated that little monitor teasing his reveal!

[@andrew1977au]

I watched this on VHS in the 80's, I remember it being one of the best movies since starwars, I still have great memories of watching it for the first time with my dad.

[@notallthatbad]

Did your dad like it, too?

[@chucklos391]

I think there is one video I watch that has this clip and has great sound to it. I strap on the headphones and immerse myself in this scene. Excellent breakdown of a great character reveal.

[@notallthatbad]

Thanks! The buzzing hum and clanking of his feet is completely immersive, isn't it?

[@chucklos391]

@@notallthatbad I wondered if I was the only one who truly appreciated that scene. Like you said, I agree that modern day character reveals all seem to follow the same formula which is quite boring to say the least.

[@furtim1]

What is also relevant, I think, is that all the "reveal" shots convey very important information and not simply glamor shots. The view from Robocop gets us time passing, the brutality of the decision makers, and the corporate glory of his first walk in front of the executives. Also, obviously, that there is a "person" to have a first-person perspective. Without this view (from the hospital as well) we may not realize there is even possibly a person there to empathize with. The police station entrance showed OCP's disregard and jurisdictional control over the police and how disempowered and uninformed the police were that he was even showing up or existed. The cage review shows the layers of control around him, adding importance when he opens the cage door himself and walks out against the orders of the engineers (opposite of this scene, where all he does is follow orders like a dog, "...sit in the chair"..."Yes. I understand.") The gun range shows his power, but also the delight and separation between him and normal police (plus his holstering maneuver). The convenience store shows his power, the condition of the city (you can tell these people have been robbed before), but also his collateral damage and unsympathetic nature ("I just smashed a guy through your cooler. Bye").

[@VykintasGlodenis]

Loved the video. Thank you! I remember continuously re-watching this movie as a kid. Such a masterpiece.

[@a.m8878]

Those metal steps with the back synths GOOSEBUMPS! Greatest entrance EVER!!! The Music was the ultimate classic futuristic orchestra. The drama, the sadness, the agony and the anger are so well put on a quiet yet dark and sad suspense aura with such a MARVELLOUS scene by scene Soundtrack which leads you to an absolute empathy towards the heroe. this movie is an absolute Master piece. Some scenes get me to my tears every time i watch it. It is very raw, real and Advanced even for today. Man, the killing scene i watched uncutted as a child. Still haunts me. And to think they let us watch these things being 6 years old...

[@TheJpf79]

There were Robocop lunch boxes and school bags lol

[@ArnieS1947]

I remember when I saw his entrance as a kid, I naturally started leaning closer to the screen and left and right to almost try and see through and around the scenery to get a better look at him! Brilliant directing that induces a physical reaction, which mirrors the other cops' curiosity and builds that anticipation for his badassery in all its glory.

[@templargfx]

For me its the way the cop cuts his word off half way when he sees Robocop through the glass and just freezes. Then the silence and stomp stomp stomp. brilliant

[@notallthatbad]

Yes, excellent acting by the exasperated cop. And his deadpan look of surprise is inimitable. 😄

[@sarinat3101]

Robocop was amazing at "show, don't tell". Modern movies love to practically scream the message at the audience through sound and visuals. I showed my friend "Alien" for the first time, and he told me one of the most gripping parts of that movie was the use of total silence as atmosphere and tension building.

[@chucklos391]

There is a whole genre of reaction videos of people who haven't seen this movie. A lot of times it's missed that this is a campy satire movie. Still, some of the elements in this movie are great cinema such as the scene in this video breakdown. It was beautifully done and someone finally did a breakdown of it.

[@notallthatbad]

Thank you! Yeah, it has a twinge of camp, but I think that's what warms me to it. I think Hollywood could learn a lot from this approach to character reveals. Feel free to share if you like it!

[@CynicalOldDwarf]

Verhoeven is a master of serious camp. RoboCop, Total Recall, and especially Starship Troopers are all very campy movies but they're played incredibly straight.

[@OmegaFeggy]

Would love to see a break down of ED-209s entrance, and how it both mirrors, and contrasts, with Robocop's! Amazing video!

[@notallthatbad]

Good idea!

[@DaBigE]

Fantastic analysis. I've seen this movie and has always appreciated the non-conventional introduction to the hero in the movie. Thank you for putting this video together.

[@amorkurniawan7491]

the sounds of robocop footstep in the theater is soo deep jlub jlub jlub never forget that cool sounds

[@paramisdundee3717]

Its epic still gives me chills. Does so much more, with so much less compared to other hero entrances.

[@artonline01]

I think this was the first R rated movie I saw at the theatre, I also had it on VHS. There is a reason we still talk about this movie all these years later. Robocop's entrance seems more like the first time you get a glips of a monster in a movie rather than a superhero.

[@notallthatbad]

Interesting take! Now that I think of it, his entrance does have a sort of "monster of Frankenstein" feel to it. VERY interesting point!

[@LuckyDogGaming]

This is so accurate! They are like wtf is that?! This was also the first rated R movie I saw, I was 6 and my Aunt had HBO and poor babysitting skills.

[@notallthatbad]

@@LuckyDogGaming Ha! 😄

[@90lancaster]

Well usually they talk about him being a Jesus allegory, but I would say you could argue for a Frankenstein's creature analogy too. (especially the Novel plot) In that the Creature has to struggle to find his Humanity as Robocop does. Interestingly though speaking of The other version the Universal Monster the original cut of that has him brutally kill a child which i'd say was just as shocking as what happens to Murphy in Robocop (especially the shotgun to the hand).

[@artonline01]

@@90lancaster We need a Robo vs himself. Thats the story

[@daveygee434]

Everything you point out is a mirror of my childhood memory watching this in the cinema. Good work. Thank you.

[@rupestrevideo]

So glad you made this video. Always tought that Robocop´s unveiling was pure gold. I can watch this movie over and over again and not get bored. Thank you very much.

[@CynicalOldDwarf]

I first watched Robocop as a tender three year old, it was a Christmas gift. Best Christmas ever, loved RoboCop ever since. (And funnily enough, I got two copies that Christmas, an uncle on each side of my family had bought it for me). Also, going to use this comment as a shout out to the game RoboCop: Rogue City which came out the other day, it's bloody awesome - they've really paid attention to the details of the original movie and it really tugs on the nostalgia strings. They even managed to get Peter Weller to reprise his role and voice RoboCop.

[@notallthatbad]

I like how they took care to keep the original vibe. 👍

[@TheSenseiNeo]

OK but who gives Robocop movie to a 3 year old?

[@burnikshrapnel]

Yes I agree. Saw this in the cinema with my father back in 87 when i was in 2nd grade. Totally epic especially after the traumatic experience of watching Murphy murdered.

[@notallthatbad]

Yeah! You knew he was going to be badass when he walked in.

[@pbxn-3rdx-85percent]

I saw this in cinema. Murphy's torture and murder was portrayed so real at that time it awakened my mind to how much violence a man can inflict to another man, how fragile the human body is and how much damage firearms can deliver to a living body. I was thinking "so there are really people who can do that and feel no remorse at all?". This movie helped me get educated on the dangers and violence in the grown up world. Which is a bit useful to me because I grew up in a Southeast Asian country which at that time was experiencing a very active and ruthless communist insurgency against an also ruthless one-man dictatorship. Newspapers at that time reported of ambushes, assassinations, skirmishes, executions, body counts, missing persons, rapes and murder of suspected female rebel supporters, detentions and executions of suspected communist members or supporters, etc. Everything a 3rd world low intensity conflict should have. The "low intensity term", I learned that reading Time or Newsweek magazines 😜during the 80s which sometimes reported on the communist insurgency in my country. 😁

[@Javier99999]

You have no idea how much my 5 year old self loved watching robocop with my dad

[@RoadRallyLife]

It's the wonderful sound design that aided so well in his introduction scene, not to mention the target practice scene where Robo's gun is decimating the target..it's one of my favorites of the film and has long stayed with me.

[@Bombot78]

Yes, very true. Also effective sound design can cover the cracks in visual effects (as old Doctor Who episodes know)

[@fatarsemonkey]

I think the RoboCop reveal is also tied into the unfolding of the future, it's like all technology, we begin to see prototyping followed by beta testing and onto mainstream release. I don't know if that was the thinking behind the way they filmed RoboCop but it certainly ties into "The future of law enforcement" ideology the movie was portraying. RoboCop isn't so much a superhero but is portrayed that way by OCP executives "there's a new guy in town...his name is RoboCop" but from our point of view and the police in the movie, he's just new law enforcement technology. We also take the journey with Alex Murphy.

[@notallthatbad]

That's a thoughtful take, and I think you may be right. Many parts of the movie lampoon big business and emerging technology. Remember that commercial scene with the huge and ridiculous mechanical heart? That makes me think you are on to something.

[@fatarsemonkey]

@@notallthatbad Well it's thoughtful because your video made me think about it. It is a great reveal that keeps you intrigued. They kind of did the same thing in RoboCop 2 but showing all their disasters along the line and what happens to technology when the wrong people have their way. It's almost like the first person implementing the ESG score and putting in DEI instead of merit.

[@pbxn-3rdx-85percent]

The movie depicts Robocop as the pitiful hero. He protects the people and do his programmed duties and do heroic deeds but is really just another product of a big company that will make more like him and will soon be discarded after their useful service life. But the audience knows there is still a living man inside (but his emotions are suppressed by the robotic armor's computer software).

[@Hanoua2]

Absolute classic

[@notallthatbad]

Indeed! I read rumors of a "Robocop Returns". Will only consider it if Weller returns for the role.

[@Hanoua2]

@@notallthatbad getting the right tone and director is an absolut must, it needs to be rated R and no Marvel MCU humour lol

[@danabrewer3676]

This was one of the best introduction in parts ever done.

[@s7ai]

That ED-209 edit was very effective 👌😂🤣

[@ZachAttackIsBack]

Verhoeven feared people might start laughing at the ridiculous robosuit, so he chose to acclimate the audience to it slowly with brief and obscured views so they would be less shocked when they saw Robocop in full (according to the director's commentary).

[@VicDrums83]

I love the attention to detail even as Robocop walks. You can see him turn into the direction he wants to turn right before the rest of his body adjusts. Stuff like this is what made this world believable, even in all it's bleak and gratuitousness.

[@notallthatbad]

Yes, his movements make it work. Peter Weller studied movement and miming to make it happen.

[@d3vilman69]

When Robocop first stood up and walk towards the group welcoming him, at that instant when 2 dudes separated and revealed the monitor screen showing Robocop, the music changed. Really epic.

[@notallthatbad]

Yes, that brief percussive hit adds a lot to a pivotal moment.

[@healthdios]

I will forever remember this movie for the expression "I'd buy that for a dollar. "

[@garylowe2127]

We know all of these heros granted their entrances are great but we had no idea who Robocop was or what he really looked like. 😊

[@notallthatbad]

True! In my opinion, that's what makes his entrance so cool.

[@herrlogan17]

That's brilliant! But you ommited one most memorable scene - Robo catches the car keys, starts the car and Basil's music kicks in. Just how many time did I replay that? :)

[@notallthatbad]

Oh yeah, absolutely great scene. Basil's music makes it a classic set of scenes. I heard somewhere they had to do about 80 takes of that one shot alone because Peter Weller couldn't see the keys being thrown at him through his helmet! 80 takes well-spent.

[@herrlogan17]

@@notallthatbad Oh, yeah, well spent 👍👍

[@BenaresMusic]

Wonderful analysis, this is one of the best films ever made, every single aspect of this film deserves an in-depth analysis!

[@Oryon7]

You nailed it. Artistry at it's finest! This director truly understands cinematography.

[@fatarsemonkey]

I have to say the Wonder Woman reveal was quite good in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, even though we knew it was coming. What a shame DC then proceeded to ruin everything they made on the altar of ESG. I actually Liked Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, I was a bit skeptical about Ben Affleck playing Batman but damn he did a good job.

[@notallthatbad]

Indeed, it was a great reveal. Great soundtrack and all. I, too, enjoyed Batman vs. Superman!

[@Morbutt]

I agree. One reason I loved Robocop is the same reason I hate the comic book superhero films. Too much choreography and too much pomp and circumstance. It's like the films are so far up their own ass with their self-insistence that it's a big deal. Robocop kept things a bit more nuanced and tame rather than bombastic so you can appreciate it's awesomeness without the film telling you how awesome it is.

[@notallthatbad]

Well said!

[@pbxn-3rdx-85percent]

I hate super hero films too. It's the pageantry. Are they doing a superhero fashion show? Part 1: Spring collection, featured designer: Jean Grey. Part 2 Summer collection. featured designer: Wolverine. 😁 I could suspend my disbelief of super heroes and their powers if I'm reading the comic books with their hand drawn illustrations but when it's watching the live action films, those flying around and beams of energy from their eyes and palms just seem too magical and fantastic, the logic neurons of my brain just start to go beep! error! beep! error!

[@enricojakobsoriano]

I was 5 years old when my dad and I saw this in theaters. It was so exciting. It was definitely one of the films that sparked my love for cinema.

[@masterkraft4746]

great commentary ! I was just a toddler when Robocop was played on TV. I never looked at it from this point of view. The Robocop theme is probably on my top 10 of most badass / epic movie themes of all time

[@nigeldonaldson1647]

ROBOCOP ISNT a "Super Hero" and thinking of the character as one was one of the biggest mistakes, made in the remake. It could be that the cage symbolised Prison bars, this is a very Art house film for its use of symbolism, despite seeming a more main stream one, as for the question of was this approach by the Director a deliberate one? the answer is YES, they always feared to go boom! here's our hero out of know where, an adult audience might laugh, it was Rob Bottin'es sfx man's, idea to introduce the character this way, if you notice they did the same thing when Murphy finally removes the Helmet, towards the end, the camera pans from back of head to front. in fact you never rally see ROBOCOP do anything super human except maybe bending the barrel of the mugger's gun, which is probably why the film is so believable.

[@notallthatbad]

Good points!

[@nigeldonaldson1647]

ROBOCOP has more in common with- DIRTY HARRY & DEATH WISH as a film than say...IRON MAN (which is a bit of a sneaky remake) I got the information from the audio commentry by Paul Verhoeven himself, both TERMINATOR & ROBOCOP Rewrote the Sci fi genra since ALIEN.@@notallthatbad

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

Still the best robot armor with the heavy walking and sound design The first IronMan also nailed it with the heavy feel and motor sound everytime it's moving But the later versions of IronMan especially the nanotech just feel lame and less badass

[@notallthatbad]

Isn't the metallic clanking and electric hum the best sound design? Agreed on Iron Man, too!

[@scythelord]

And to think that we only got the heavy walking and stiff robotic motion we all love due to the suit being way more restrictive to motion than they intended. I cannot possibly imagine how strange and decidedly less believable it would have been to have the fluid and mobile Robocop they originally planned on rather than what we got. The heavy, slow, deliberate mannerisms of Robocop is what makes him seem so powerful.

[@pbxn-3rdx-85percent]

@@scythelord That robocop remake was for (big) kids who can't take the violence of the 80s, both in film and in real life. 😄 Original Robocop was more believable partly because of its sound effects. Mechanical stuff are heavy and have inertia when moving so robots should be portrayed with heavy sound and should move with inertia. The remake robocop was too quick and too agile, costume robot design has also too much clean lines (the iphone look) I was expecting it to do a ballet dance number. 😁

[@mindseyepr]

I agree. The more updated the suit, the less interesting

[@TheGeocab]

I agree with your analysis, nice job. This also reminded me of the Batmobile reveal in The Batman, which is a truly badass scene for similar reasons. A lot of commotion was going on with The Penguin shooting The Batman, Gordon taking cover behind his car, Catwoman looked nervous as she's taking cover, and then the Penguin doing burst shots in the direction he thinks Batman is still in while yelling, and then ---- Jet whine starts and everyone stops and forgets what's happening as their curiosity takes over. You see the outline of the car, which becomes backlit when the flame opens up from the back of the car. Engine revving. Fantastic sequence! And there were hints of the car previously in the movie during different scenes in the Bat Cave.

[@tashfinmaja4721]

The entrance as well as the shooting practice scene with the auto 9. As a kid back then, always awes me to tis day whenever I see those scenes 😮

[@BryceKant]

This was such a great movie, and also such a statement of the 80s. All this technology was beginning to come into people's lives... but was it a good thing or a bad thing? This is one of those movies I watched a hundred times as a child and I can still watch it all day.

[@brunoseveriano8250]

I’ve watched it numerous times since I was a quiet, it never failed to excite me. This is high cinema

[@MrTagalish]

One of my favorite memorable scenes was at the police station shooting range and how all the cops get stunned by the large, fully automatic hand cannon. And then the twirling before putting the gun back in his hip. Great scene.

[@notallthatbad]

It's great, and a scene I highlight in my other Robocop vid on the channel. 👍

[@Baudri]

Man I remember seeing that scene I was mad and excited at the same time. Mad that I couldn’t see him thru the glass and excited that he was there in the other side of the glass.

[@xXmasaroXx]

Love the analysis of one of my fav movies since childhood.... Esp the scene breakdown with his entrance, very educational. Subscribed!