Robocop

Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INmtQXUXez8

I've not seen the original Robocop but whenever I'm asked if I have it's always said with a big smile on the person's face followed by a description of a ridiculous scene that happened in the film. I think Robocop 2014 knows the reputation the original has of a silly 80s OTT action film and tries to continue the light-heartedness here. Sadly the film makers didn't seem quite sure on how serious to make the new film and the end product ends up feeling a little confused.

Robocop for those unaware is the story of man who is almost killed in an explosion and his brain put into a robot's...body? Well he's given robot parts anyway. The story starts to get surprisingly clever early on as the question is asked could robots ever fully police a city or is a human element required to maintain order. It's an interesting thought and if explored a little further it could be great. It's just a little odd as it contradicts with the film's later silliness.

There's large action scenes with jaunty rock soundtracks, vocals an'all, over the top explosions and quick hub displays that give suspects' statuses as 'totally stoned' and other fun captions. There's also areas of the film where you're not sure if it's a pisstake or trying to be taken seriously. Seeing main character Alex as just a head and lungs looks ridiculous and warrants a laugh but I'm not entirely sure if it was intended to be that way.

No matter what way you look at it, as a legitimate action film or 'kinda parody' its pretty average stuff. The action scenes are fun, fast and loud but nothing spectacular. The most interesting part of the film is the robots replacing humans theme but it kinda gets lost behind the light-heartedness of Robocop himself. The family element is okay but rather bland and I struggled to take it seriously.

Perormance wise all the big actors give solid enough performances but nothing really stands out. Joel Kinnaman puts on a convincing enough robot voice and otherwise plays the standard movie good-guy. Micheal Keaton is in the film but his role isn't the most important. I would have liked to see more of him really as he had potential to be quite interesting. The character I remember most is Samuel L Jackson who plays a patriotic TV presenter and has the time of his life doing so. He could quite easily not be in the film but I'm glad he was.

It's by no means a travesty but it's just a shame that Robocop seems to suffering from an identity crisis. If it had gone all out B-movie spoof I feel we'd have a better film and if it had taken itself a little more seriously I also think the end product would be better. The mix in tone doesn't really work however and it's all a bit forgettable. In it's favour it's at least a little bit of fun.

6/10