Robocop (1986) Cert 18.

Director - Paul Verhoeven.

Writers - Edward Nuemeier & Michael Miner.

Starring - Peter Weller & Nancy Allen.

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Premise - Detroit of the near future. The city is riddled with crime, run by one man Clarence Bodicker. OCP the company that runs the police force, wants to bulldoze old Detroit and build Delta City. First they need to clean up the streets. When cop and family man Murphy is killed by Bodicker, he "volunteers" for the Robocop programme.

Robocop is a seminal film of the 80's. It stands at the top of the sci-fi action genre amongst The Terminator and Predator. Dutch Director Verhoeven brings us a vision of the future which is all too possible. Is it really that hard to imagine this films version of the future becoming reality? The films future is based in the present day. Taking present day situations and giving them a futuristic twist. There are no flying cars or laser guns, and the film feels all the better for it.

The film's effects are quite dated, but like The Terminator it does not effect your enjoyment of the movie. There is a lot of stop motion work on ED-209. This is the kind of stuff that would be done with CGI these days. But the FX serve their purpose.

Verhoeven is a controversial director and his work here is further proof of that. The film is extremely nasty. Bullets don't so much hit people as blow them apart and the less said about the toxic waste scene the better.

The actors do quite well, although it's no surprise that none of them hit the big time. Peter Weller is the worst on show here. He goes through the first half of the film as if he is already in the Robocop suit. Once he becomes robo he is good, but he is dreadfully wooden beforehand.

Verhoeven's vision of the future is quite unappealing, cops strike, murderers run amok and faceless company's run everything. The film comments nicely on the commercial nature of the 80's and it's yuppie culture through the use of OCP. OCP are a company who run everything, the ultimate 80's company.

Robocop is an excellent film. It is a fun sci-fi adventure, but also has a nice line in social commentary. It is also dripping with quotable lines. Worth looking for.

8/10 for Robocop.

Poster quote - I'd buy that for a dollar.