Meet Robocop

A sadistic crime wave is sweeping across America. In Old Detroit, the situation is so bad a private corporation, Omni Consumer Products (OCP), has assumed control of the police force. The executives at the company think they have the answer - until the enforcement droid they create kills one of their own. Then an ambitious young executive seizes the opportunity. He and his research team at Security Concepts create a law enforcement cyborg from the body of a slain officer. All goes well at first. Robocop stops every sleazeball he encounters with deadly, piercing, and sometimes gruesome accuracy. But there are forces on the street, and within Security Concepts itself, that will stop at nothing to see this super cyborg violently eliminated...

There is no doubt that Robocop sits up there amongst my memorable favourites. The controversial 1987 classic uses a typical action, science fiction platform to convey a somewhat hidden and satirical view of business-driven capitalism. Directed by Verhoeven and starring the likes of Peter Weller as Murphy (Robocop), Nancy Allen as Anne and overall a fairly unheard of cast.

Robocop is programmed with 4 'Prime Directives' in mind - these are basic rules and orders to keep him doing good on the streets of Detroit. With a linear plot of Robocop seeking revenge and fighting bad guys we also see other complications particularly with the devious main bad boss in mind - Clarence Boddicker (brilliantly acted by the sly Kurtwood Smith).

As with most 1980s Sci-Fi flicks the very 80s feel to it kind of adds to the appeal. The effects on this movie are outstanding for the time, obviously being no CGI we see some interesting stop motion and other great effects used to brilliant effect. With a budget of 13 million dollars Robocop was the duct directors real Hollywood debut and it certainly proved great. Verhoeven himself mocked the title when he first saw the project - lets face the facts, it's far from imaginative. In the typical style of this director the film is laden with originality and personal flare - we see the satire that we see in his other movies such as Total Recall and Starship Troopers.

The DVD special edition can usually be purchased for around £5 (mine cost £4.99). The Special features are as follows:

Most of the special features are worth a watch - the making of in particular if you like the film is very interesting in revealing some of the tricks behind the impressive special features. I also got a nice information booklet containing information about the film and the scene selection guide - this is part of the special edition DVD.