Here is a break down of McWeeny's observations - mild spoilers ahead:
I'll share this one detail. In the film, when Murphy is turned into Robocop 1.0, it's described "a high-tech version of the '80s suit."
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
Then they show a focus group scene where criminals laugh at the design. "He looks like a toy from the '80s!"
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
So they redesign him to look "meaner" as Robocop 2.0, who passes focus group approval.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
So they not only make sure to include the original design, they also point out it's dated and stupid. *facepalm*
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
Hold onto your sides for more hilarious "Robocop" details. They outsource his construction to China.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012#seriously
And we meet the ED-209s in the field in Iran, where they're used to subdue suicide bombers.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012#ineedallthedrinksnow
Ahhh... now they just dropped Robocop 3.0 onto an Al Queda training camp to see what he does.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
"He should be programmed to incapacitate in all scenarios." "Agreed. Let's keep him PG-13, Dr. Norton." No. No. No. No.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
Oh, god... oh dear god... Robocop is a Transformer. He goes from "social mode" to "combat mode" and back. Full transformation.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
Okay... the two "best" lines in the script. First up is at the unveiling ceremony for Robocop in Detroit, from a TV reporter covering it.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
"I think it's safe to say that Alex Murphy is now part man, part machine, ALL COP!" Yes, I too remember the original poster, asshat.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
Second, after the traumatic first meeting with his father, Alex's son retreats to the apartment of Lewis, Murphy's male partner.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
The scene ends with the action line "David sits, catatonic, looks at the TV -- MGM REMAKE TBD."
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
Someone shows Pope, head of the OCP project, some mock-ups for Robocop action figures. "Are you kidding? I wouldn't buy that for a dollar!"
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
When this thing hits theaters, people are going to call up Len Wiseman's "Total Recall" on the phone and apologize for being so mean.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
If you can get past Robocop The Transformer, there are some interesting action beats.And I'm sure Padilla will direct the hell out of it.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
I'll say this: once the script stops all the winky-winky crap and just starts telling a story, it's not terrible. But it's way too late.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
But overall?Ouch.Ouch.Ohpleasedon't. Ouch. And a big side order of ouch.
— Drew McWeeny (@DrewAtHitFix) August 12, 2012
If the extent of the comedy in RoboCop stems from stupid call backs to the original, many of which appear to be outright digs, and on-the-nose real world politics, then there's very little hope for this take on the character. The original was cutting satire encased around a throbbing, human heart. The movie made a very funny point while telling a story filled with pathos and genuine thrills.
Based on McWeeny's reactions, I'm not sure what the new RoboCop is aiming to achieve; the entire thing feels confused, throwing in a War on Terror angle that already feels politically dated and snide attempts to undermine the wonderful time capsule quality of the original's idiosyncratic style.
You can have me on record saying that RoboCop is one of the greatest films ever made - I had silently hoped that this new version would try something tonally unique, at least then I could justify its existence, but now that I am aware of all the tin-eared attempts at satire, I'm feeling a lot less accepting.
Source: Bleeding Cool
Would you like to write about film? Would you like access to exclusive press screenings and review copies of movies weeks before they come out? Would you like your thoughts to be read by thousands of readers? If you would, we're looking for strong new writers. Drop us a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
