aaaf-2

Let's face it - the original Robocop was lightning in a bottle, that couldn't be recreate d. The second part was already terrible, the third part even more so and then there was the TV-show, the less said about that, the better.

This movie (which I saw on Prime in 2025) updates and modernizes the concept, has way less satire (The Novak Element - the right-wing TV show with Samuel L. Jackson playing it's host - is the only satirical element here, but I'm afraid in the year 2025 has lost some of it's bite - our reality is far worse than what is presented here) but way more heart and thought...in places. This is movie that is both tremendously smart and very stupid at the same time.

Let's start with the bad:

• The first test/shootout with the new Robocop in a warehouse full of robotic entities is terribly filmed and ridiculous in its execution.

• The fact that OCP had to upload all of Detroit's recorded criminal history into Alex Murphy's brain (including footage oh his own murder) at the exact same time they wanted to hold a press conference revealing Robocop to the world is just ridiculous. There is no amount of suspension of disbelieve in the world to convince me anyone in their right mind - even less so a multi-billion company like OCP - would think this is a great idea.

• Multiple side plots are introduced but then...simply end. The murderer gets unceremoniously shot in a warehouse shootout, the police captain that turns out to be a mole, her plot basically ends without any resolution.

• The movie itself lacks the heroic soundtrack or memorable scenes as the first one had.

Now for the good:

• The ensemble of actors in this is terrific, I could have watched Michael Keaton and Gary Oldman chew the scenery all day long.

• The VFX are very good. There want one single shot that looked outright bad and distracted me from the movie (unlike so many more modern films- here's looking at you DC Cinematic universe). I especially appreciate that they went for a practical suit with Robocop.

• The story has a lot of heart, it takes its time to show the repercussions of the live-changing transformation from man to machine and what that does to his marriage and to his son. The scene where Alex Murphy sees what is left of him underneath the steel and armor is heartbreaking and quite horrific. Gary Oldman (acting his heart out) has many scenes that convey what it must be like to have a "patient" that is not happy with the results of a procedure and that basically doesn't want to live anymore.

Compared to the original this has: Less sarcasm, way less violence but more heart and asks questions that are way more relevant to modern audiences. The OG remains a pulpy B-Movie classic that will be enjoyed for the violence and gore.

Now for the

• A lot od bà.

If you are still lucky enough to own 3D TV in 2025 and a compatible 3D player (a used PS4 will do) you owe it to yourself to buy this movie on 3D Bluray. From the first scene to the the end credits this is a showcase for what is possible in 3D! I own nearly 50 3D Blurays but this might be the best one. The depth, the layers, the colors, you can clearly see this was designed for 3D from the get go!! An unbelievable experience that I am sure I will show a lot of people! And I am not even a big Spiderman fan! But this movie is just such a marvel (pun intended)

Is the Snydercut better than the theatrical version? Well, it's definitely longer. Some characters are more fleshed out. On the downside is (still) the plot - which is basically DC's version of Marvel's powers tones and Thanos, the worst Batman in cinematic history, terrrrrible CGI (seriously, I have seen SciFi-Channel productions that looked better than this), great actors that are clearly just there for a paycheck (Amy Adam's, JK Simmons, Jeremy Irons) and have nothing to do and an over-reliance on Slo-Mo shots and false pathos. Frankly, I have nothing against those things if at least the end product is fun, but this movie isn't. It's a drag from start to finish with terrible CGI (have I already mentioned how bad the VFX are?), there is no risk involved, there is no punch or urgency in the fight scenes, it's all...grimdark nonsense.