Dead Or Alive, José Padilha's Attempt At Rebooting Paul Verhoven's Original Sc-Fi Hit, Is Surprisingly Decent. Scott Gentry Reviews "RoboCop" (2014).

"RoboCop" (12A)
Director: José Padilha.
Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jay Baruchel and Samuel L. Jackson.
Running time: 118 minutes.
Rated: 12A for containing moderate violence, injury detail and infrequent strong language.
Out now in UK cinemas. 

Set in the year 2028, "RoboCop" follows the story of a Detroit Policeman named Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman), who after becoming injured in an explosion outside his home; is left in a critical condition. Upon hearing this, a multinational conglomerate named OmniCorp, decide to request consent from Alex's wife Clara (Abbie Cornish), to utilize Alex as their first test-subject for a part-man, part-robotic police officer. Upon accepting, Clara soon realises that the company's best interests may not be in Alex, but in the money instead... 

It has been eight long years since Sony Pictures (Screen Gems division) announced that they would be the company responsible for re-booting Paul Verhoeven’s infamous "RoboCop". Fans of the original were outraged (and still are) that a company would decide to re-boot an almost perfect film and turn it into something that could have been particularly distasteful. After all, re-boots aren't always five star hits, are they? (Examples include 2010's "The Nightmare on Elm Street" and 2012's "Texas Chainsaw 3D").

Ignoring the negativity surrounding its new franchise, the company's carried on with their plans. Three years later, it was revealed that MGM were developing the film alongside Sony Pictures and had met with the famed visionary director Darren Aronofsky, to pitch him the directing chair of "RoboCop". In June 2008, it was confirmed that Aronofsky would direct and certain fans pushed their negativity aside, to welcome the perhaps potentially intriguing, new take on the popular series. 

Travel forward three years and unfortunately the prospects of Darren Aronofsky directing MGM's "RoboCop", were destroyed. Instead the company decided to hire Brazilian director José Padilha, because of his success with his first two feature-length films, "Elite Squad" and "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within". Soon, the studio began to show an interest in hiring actors such as Michael Fassbender, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Russell Crowe, to portray the character of Alex Murphy. Finally in early 2012, Joel Kinnamen was cast in the role of Murphy and many other characters soon fell into place. 

Padilha later described (during a phone call to Fernando Meirelles), that the production of "RoboCop" was "the worst experience of his life" and that "for every ten ideas he has, nine are cut". Despite a long and troubled shoot, it seems as though "RoboCop" somehow fell into place. 

Now, I'm not saying that "RoboCop" is an excellent film by any standards. I'm simply saying that it's fairly good. Personally, I don't think this reboot deserves all the bad press surrounding it. For what it is, "RoboCop" is a re-boot that delivers on many grounds.

First of all, it seems as though José Padilha and his team definitely understand the style and feel of Paul Verhoeven’s attempt and have honoured it with an updated version; which pays respect to the original and still retains its satirical nature. For instance, throughout the film there are certain scenes including Samuel L. Jackson (in a cameo appearance) who portrays Pat Novak, a television presenter who constantly comments on the problems within society, in his very own classic style.

 For a reboot, "RoboCop" could have turned out very differently, but instead it tries extremely hard to honour the original, whilst creating its own spin on an otherwise dying franchise, also including an intriguing ethical debate.

The screenplay (written by Joshua Zetumer) is fairly interesting despite lacking in some respects, but provides the chance for many of the key actors to flourish in some darker performances and others being tongue-in-cheek. The cast are entertaining and engaging to watch, with Gary Oldman and Joel Kinnaman leading the performances in many of their scenes and helping to keep the film serious, despite certain quips.

Verdict 

“RoboCop” is enjoyable fun, which could never live up to the wit and excitement of Paul Verhoeven's classic, but tries valiantly to become an interesting and fresh piece of Sci-Fi. 

6.5 Stars out of 10.

Written by Scott Gentry.

Film Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.

9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.