Robocop Trilogy [DVD]

This trilogy was the first ever DVD set I brought - i've really expanded my collection since, and I have to say, that I have never grown tired of it.

Robocop, the original directed by blood and guts, nudity loving Paul Verhoven is an absolute masterpiece. For me, once you have seen the Director's Cut version of this film, you'll never go back to the theatrical release. Robocop, for anyone that is unfamiliar with the story is about Alex Murphy. A cop transferred from his peaceful precinct to the distinct hell hole of the one he's in now. (I am writing this quite some time after watching the film, so which Metro district it is escapes me)

He is partnered with a short haired Nancy Allen, who plays Lois, a bubble gum blowing, no nonsense cop who can more than defend herself. It is interesting to view that Lois is almost stripped of her sexuality - the short hair and body armer disguising female curves. If you listen to the excellent audio commentary from Paul Verrhoven, this was because the director didn't want Robocop to have any kind of sexual attraction to Lois, hence the unflattering body armour and very short hairstyle. I have to say, it works very well, and I do prefer it, rather than the idea you have a helmet removed and the cliche of long flowing blonde hair cascading down as she does so. Paul Verhoven thought the same.

Anyway, back to the film. The supporting cast is excellent, and the action is non stop. With the uncut version, the violence is definitely upped, especially within the first half hour - Murphy's "death" and ED209's unfortunate debut involving Mr Kenny are unflinchingly visceral. Little else changes, except for more violence, but it does complete Paul's wonderful vision of a corrupt business empire which allows a city to slide into the 7th level of hell, simply so they can build their precious Delta City. ED209's debut is dealt with by stop motion wizard Phil Tippit, and the film has dated well.

Needless to say, it's down to Robocop to save the day (and the Company President) from the evil Vice President, Dick Jones. With great acting from everyone involved - especially lunatic Clarrence Bodiker - this is the best of all three, and a Cult Classic which would later have references to it in the 90's with hit comedy, "Spaced."

Now, this review is supposed to be based on all three, so I'd better get a move on...

Robocop 2 is a darker view, directed by Empire Strikes Back Director, Irvin Krishner, it's a much more sombre, darker sequal and suffers from some awful special effects and looks older than its predocessor. It follows the continuing exploits of OCP trying to build Delta City and Cain, a notorious drug dealer, dealing in the incredibly addictive narcotic Nuke. It's nowhere near as good as the first film, but does have its high points.

Robocop 3 is a terrible end to the triology. It suffers from awful acting, a lack of plot, characters you don't care about and isn't really watchable at all.

This boxset is still worth owning though for the first film alone.

RoboCop:
Amazing! Hailed by critics and audiences alike. Sensational effects(without the use of CGI) especially the stop-motion animation by Phil Tippett. ED209 is…well, amazing! A strong score and strong characters propel this unbelievable, yet be warned, very violent futuristic action movie along. It deserves 6 stars!!!!!

RobCop 2:
With less glamourised violence and a weak script, this sequel has little to offer except it's stop motion effects.

RoboCop:
It is quite astonishing to note that such a great original could have spawned one of the worst movies ever made. It has turned a series famous for extreme violence into a PG-13 kiddie adventure. The script is full of holes and clichés (the bad kind). I mean, Robot Ninjas? COME ON!

Robocop is a product of it’s time. Made in the mid eighties, shortly after ‘The Terminator’ the first film was a satire of the Regan/Thatcher era as well as being one of the best action films of that decade. The story concerns a self centred corporate business man’s attempt to create a Frankenstein robotic cop from a recent murdered police officer. It sounds silly but the entire film is wonderfully crafted. There are so many great moments in the film and not one moment is wasted. The film switches from tragedy to comedy to intense drama with incredibly smoothness. As well as some great action sequences and some laugh out loud funny moments there is real dramatic stuff here. When Robocop he catches up with Clarence, the man who killed him in the first place you can almost feel his sense of loss and anger. As Clarence is thrown through sheets of glass his natural arrogance turns to fear as he can’t stop the vengeful machine. Truly great stuff.

Robocop2 is not as good. It’s well written, written in fact by maverick comic book writer Frank Miller. The effects are fine and the fight at the end between the two Robocop’s is pretty cool. The problem isn’t as, some reviews have suggested over the years, that it lacks humour, R2 does have good gags it’s just overwhelmingly unpleasant. The film is incredibly violent and it has numbing effect after a while. I really wouldn’t let your kids watch this one. It isn’t too bad but it simply isn’t as satisfying as the first one.

Robocop3 is again not as good. Again it’s well written and some of the story ideas are great. No where near as unpleasant as the second film it does have a great deal going for it. The main problem with Robocop3 is that the action is very weak. When we first see the Robocop in this film he does look silly and somehow it never really recovers. The talking scenes are fine but here Robocop doesn’t seem like a credible action hero in this one. Still enjoyable but flawed.

It is worth buying the whole package. For me it was because I do like all three films and had no hesitation to splash out. For those that just like Robocop1 I still recommend that you buy it because the other two films are probably not as bad as you remember.