Rating: ***
Don’t hate RoboCop because it’s a
remake of a beloved sci-fi classic, hate it because it’s a tepid and blandish
spin on the original film that thinks the best way to re-energize the concept
it to go all the places that first one didn’t. Sometimes you do get it right
the first time, and sometimes doing things because you can isn’t really a good
enough reason for you to go through with it. Having said that, there are some
interesting ideas in the new 2014 RoboCop, and some very interesting
actors who try to realize them, but essentially this new Cop is a
B-effort for a C-movie.
Let’s try and keep the comparisons to a
minimum, but I will begin by saying that Joel Kinnaman brings something
different to the role of Alex Murphy. Peter Weller as Murphy was just far too
good a guy with his easy smile, laid back manner, and the little trick with his
side arm that he learned in order do to impress his kid. Kinnaman is more
intense, and more driven. That might be because his cause is more personal as
Murphy is blown up in a car bomb placed by a flunky of an arms dealer Murphy
and his partner Lewis (Michael K. Williams) are investigating, thus forcing his
transformation into RoboCop. It’s not like getting your hand blown off and then
taking about 20,000 rounds of ammo in every possible body part, but then again,
this is a PG-13 effort.
