There are so many films that come out every week let alone every year, aren’t there? We can get so caught up with trying to keep up with the latest awards contenders, box office hits, and culturally relevant pieces that we just don’t have enough time to turn back the clock and check out films from the past. But it is so important to expand our horizons and experience the art that has set the stage for today’s cinema. You might need to find the time, so it is important to make wise choices with what you spend that time watching. Whether we head back 10 years, 50 years, or even 100 years, there is great cinema throughout the years. But let’s rewind the clock and here are some reasons why you should check out… RoboCop (1987)
Paul Verhoeven
What happens when you ask a Dutchman to take a deep look at America in the 1980s? You get RoboCop…and it is fantastic. This bombastic and no-holds-barred look at 80s capitalistic and militaristic mindset is fascinating. Verhoeven offers up a steady hand combining ultra-violence, the darkest biting satire you will find, and a tragic story of loss. Few directors can make such a tonal tightrope work so well and Verhoeven certainly has the chops. This is fun! It is incredibly uncomfortable. This is a dark twisted cinematic experience that you will soon not forget.
The Commentary
What was big in the 80s? Business. The military. The police. Verhoeven’s action-thriller does not shy away from tackling any of these topics. There is a distinct lack of humanity and caring in every decision made by a businessman in this film. The total lack of caring for human life is quite shocking. The militaristic approach of advancing law and order is quite frightening. This big (incredibly well done) stop motion machine is a harsh reality of our military complex. The privatization of the police and the inhuman approach to law enforcement is horrible familiar. Those ads and newscasts in the film are both hilarious and horrifying to watch. What a whirlwind of themes this science fiction action flick is.
The Action
Are you ready for the biggest budget for blood squibs known to humankind? Verhoeven uses the R-rating on RoboCop quite liberally as there are so many bloody moments throughout the film. The death of Murphy is grotesque and horribly poignant. There are car chases, RoboCop taking down criminals, and a great throwdown in the third act that might feature some of the most haunting and grotesque make-up effects ever seen in a film. There is so much said in RoboCop but there are so many thrills as well.
The Cast
Peter Weller is the perfect Murphy, isn’t he? That voice perfectly captures the essences of RoboCop. Nancy Allen is a charming and endearing addition as Murphy’s partner, Lewis. There is a great mix of despicable business types in this film from Dan O’Herlihy, Ronny Cox, and Miguel Ferrer. They are all so slimy and horribly accurate looking at the 80s businessman type. Robert DoQui is THE angry black captain from all tropes derive from. The evil gang is filled with some fun performers including Twin Peaks alum Ray Wise. But the king of the screen in Verhoeven’s film is Kurtwood Smith. The line delivery. The anger. The charisma. The total commitment to being a downright piece of human trash. Smith created one of the greatest screen villains in history as Clarence Boddicker.
The Dialogue
What made 80s action flicks so great? The one-liners:
“I’d buy that for a dollar!”
“Dead or alive, you’re coming with me!”
“Can you fly, Bobby?”
“Stay out of trouble.”
“Murphy”
And there are plenty more that I won’t write out here (haha). You will be quoting this flick for days (maybe weeks) later!
