Robocop Remake Showdown

 

The original Robocop, released in 1987, is one of the most incredible and influential science-fiction cinema works ever crafted. An action-driven satirical commentary on the dangers of privatization, the film boasts a wide variety of brilliant writing, expert direction, spectacular special effects, and a profound & impactful story that drives home the inhumanity of corporations while showcasing the true nature of humanity itself. Showing that even when you've lost your body, you are still human if you have a free-thinking mind. 

However, the remake released in 2014 is a shining example of modern Hollywood not getting the message. 

The simplest way to describe the two films' primary differences in as few words as possible is the difference between grit vs. polish, commitment vs. safety, and intelligence vs. stupidity.  The 2014 remake is a prime example of what happens when Hollywood prioritizes name recognition over compelling content. Let's start with the basics. 

The Story 

While both films share a general plot and a few story beats, they are not the same. The 2014 remake was most likely a completely different script entirely, and the Studio superimposed the Robocop title onto it purely for name recognition. I assure you, it would not be the first time that happened. 

The original Robocop featured a script committed to telling a story full of moral ambiguity, brutal criticism of corporate business practices, and satirical observation of the human condition. It showed audiences what the Nation would be like if we continued to subscribe to the idea of treating America like a business. By allowing private interest control of our security, in this case, the Police force, we have effectively surrendered our civil liberties in exchange for the illusion of safety. Sound familiar? 

On the other hand, the remake chooses to abandon any amount of creative moral ambiguity of any kind, preferring to cram in as many variations of Saturday morning cartoon villains nagging over Drone war fair rights. Instead of intelligent satire, the remake likes giving first-grade lectures about evil corporations and the human soul's invincible power. It's downright insulting just how stupid the movie thinks the audience is. 

Presentation 

Aesthetics mean a great deal in a film, as they can dictate how a movie feels and how the audience will react to it. The people behind the original Robocop, especially director Paul Verhoeven, realized this and applied aesthetics that best suited the film's tone and directing. The production design conveyed a dirty and gritty world, only further exemplified by the film grain from the capture format. The violence is brutal and harsh, as it should be due to the tone of the story. When you see the world presented in the original Robocop, there is no doubt in your mind that it is a harsh and cruel world that needs a new kind of hero. 

On the other hand, when compared to the remake, you find yourself questioning why Robocop even needs to be there. The world, as presented in the remake, is too clean, slick, and shiny. Nothing about the production design, environments, and mostly the capture format conveys a world that is so desperate for a new hero, let alone an Uber powerful one as Robocop. Because the remake's presentation feels so familiar and polished, there is no feeling of desperation for a hero. In case you are wondering, I am excluding the Marvel movies because their sleek style is part of their identity, and has been from the very beginning. 

Main Character 

Alex Murphy, the man who becomes Robocop, is a simple guy who becomes a Police Officer out of a desire to help people. He has a wife and child, a best friend on the force, and an appreciation for old-fashioned cowboys. While these properties of the character are present in both versions of the film, the original 1987 incarnation is not only more relatable and sympathetic, but the actor portraying him is and always will be a far superior performer. 

Peter Weller, the original Robocop, put a tremendous amount of effort into bringing his character to life. He trained with a professional dancer to learn how to move like a Robot correctly. He practiced various vocal performance styles to accommodate for half of his face covered for most of the film, and he possesses the emotional range necessary to portray a man rediscovering his humanity. In short, it's damn near Shakespearean. 

Joel Kinnaman, who played Robocop in the remake, is hands down the most boring, lifeless, and whiney version of Robocop I have ever seen. Kinnaman has no sense of range. He doesn't make any effort to change his physical movement from being part-robot. Worst of all, he demanded that he not have his helmet on for most of the film because he could not perform with his face covered at all times. Joel Kinnaman is better suited for television acting, and there is nothing wrong with that. 

There is no beating around the bush about this, my beautiful readers. The 2014 remake of Robocop is an absolute disaster in every way. It fails to understand the original's heart, treats its audience like total idiots, and offers nothing new or substantial to an already powerful story. If you still haven't seen the original yet, please get right on that. Avoid the remake at all costs. Don't even buy it for a dollar. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.