Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘RoboCop’ (1987)

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​Science Fiction is a truly incredible genre. Because not only has it allowed our imagination to take us places, we never knew were possible, it is also a genre that stays with us and has in many ways changed the course of human history. It’s influenced technology, allowing for inventors to figure out ways to give life to an idea this genre posed ages ago because science fiction truly allows us to ask and answer the question… what if?
 
But its impact on our society goes far beyond simply making our lives easier, since science fiction has also been known to be a great predictor of the future, in ironic fashion. I say that, because we aren’t cognizant to what exactly it predicted until we experience that prophetic moment and it is that kind of ‘future reflection’ if you will that struck me when I sat down to once again watch a modern classic from the genre, 1987’s RoboCop.
 
The plot to this one we all know and love, Detective Alex Murphy is gunned down in the line of duty only to be transformed into the world’s first cyborg law enforcement officer in RoboCop and well, I distinctly recall that when this film was released back then it was viewed as nothing more than a fun and silly over the top romp, but as the years have progressed I see now that this film is extremely relevant to the times and I’m sure no one had any idea that this film would turn out to be so prophetic on so many levels.

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A few fine examples of that, are the film’s take on the power of corporations and the disparity of wealth. Omni Consumer Products (OCP) is the personification of these elements in the film since well… they own everything, even the city of Detroit. They have privatized the police force and their overreaching and unchecked power mirrors our current fears in America, that those without riches have no power and that a corporation’s interests will take precedence over anything else and well… whether you believe that there is truth to these issues in modern America or not, it’s amazing that this film was able to put forth a disturbing notion that would become relevant thirty years after its release.
 
But the wild parallels don’t end there, RoboCop is the personification of our current obsession with technology. He stands as a symbol over the fact that we prefer that technology solve all of our problems. There are obviously bigger issues as to why the City of Detroit is a crime riddled nightmare, but rather than address those, OCP’s focus is to build a machine to fix the issue instead and for the most part…it works, just as technology does for us on a regular basis. But alas, the film tends to gravitate away from that particular thematic concept and any consequences that come with it as the plot rolls on and that’s okay, because while these parallels to our current world are fascinating to say the least, this is still at its core a sci-fi/action flick and it also delivers the action in spades.
 
In fact we are treated to some thrilling visuals when it comes to said action, since every gunfight in this film is done in over the top fashion to the point where one might call the violence excessive, but considering the fact that the notion of an ass kicking cyborg is already over the top as is, it helps this film work on every level and when you throw in the vast amounts of humor present in this motion picture, you’re left with what the movie was viewed as in the first place… an outright fun ride that doesn’t deliver its social commentary in heavy handed fashion, allowing for anyone to pop it in and enjoy it for what it is, or you can let these concepts linger in your mind long after the credits have faded to black. Either way, it’s a modern classic through and through and one that needs to be experienced if by chance you haven’t done so yet.   

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