RoboCop (1987)

It’s insane how such a schlocky premise could be imbued with such depth.

RoboCop is super tight - incredible themes, well acted, satire absolutely on point. It’s got something for everyone. Thematic depth, religious undertones, capitalism on blast for the entire runtime. Even if you don’t dig into the themes, it’s a fun romp. If you do dig in, it’s a masterpiece. It’s insane how such a schlocky premise could be imbued with such depth.

The practical effects are incredible. Phil Tippett is absolutely crushing it with ED-209. And the number of squibs shot off in this movie is nuts - I think this film still holds the record for most squibs in a single scene. It’s disgusting in all the right ways.

This latest rewatch, though, I was struck by how absolutely dehumanizing and disgusting the corporation’s treatment of Murphy’s body is. The scene I keep thinking about is how they voluntarily cut off his right arm just for the sake of aesthetics. We never even see it happen - it’s just mentioned - but that idea has stuck with me as particularly gruesome and difficult to stomach. They own him so completely that they’ll amputate a functional limb for branding purposes. That’s the horror underneath the satire.

Great film. I’m obsessed. I love it.

Also on Letterboxd