I have to wonder how much of the current assessment of the real city of Detroit as a beleaguered and almost apocalyptic place is this movie's fault. Granted, it was sliding into socioeconomic decline long before the release of the film, but the portrayal of it here surely couldn't have been good PR for it.
I think the issues plaguing Detroit were already far too entrenched and known by that point for this one movie to have had a major impact on its perception. I'd say that it's a similar case with, say, Chicago and the original Candyman. The city was already known for its problems by the time the film was made, so while the movies do highlight some of these problems in a hyperbolic manner, I doubt either film would've been able to do much to change the public perception of either city, for better or worse.
Ok, watched this with husband, and you're absolutely right about Alex Murphy being the heart of this. The action scenes tended to be somewhat over the top, on purpose I think. But it's Alex Murphy, as played by Peter Weller, who really sets the stakes and makes you care.
Loved this. I wrote about this movie awhile back. I think one of the reasons for the enduring popularity of the film is this: RoboCop is a Christ figure.
When I watched this movie, we were still recovering from many decades of communism and I struggled to imagine a city so rife with crime in the West. Now... not so much. Great review!
I do think it was mostly an accident. I think this is a case similar to Rutger Hauer’s role as Batty in Blade Runner, with Peter Weller bringing a greater level of humanity through the strength of his acting than the story would otherwise have allowed. It’s a really fun and well made movie, though, and still looks absolutely incredible to this day. (The power of practical effects work.) You should give it a watch if you’ve got time soon, I think you’d enjoy it.
I have to wonder how much of the current assessment of the real city of Detroit as a beleaguered and almost apocalyptic place is this movie's fault. Granted, it was sliding into socioeconomic decline long before the release of the film, but the portrayal of it here surely couldn't have been good PR for it.
I think the issues plaguing Detroit were already far too entrenched and known by that point for this one movie to have had a major impact on its perception. I'd say that it's a similar case with, say, Chicago and the original Candyman. The city was already known for its problems by the time the film was made, so while the movies do highlight some of these problems in a hyperbolic manner, I doubt either film would've been able to do much to change the public perception of either city, for better or worse.
I still prefer to think of it as the city of Ford and Motown and not this movie...
Here's a neat factoid. Most of Robocop was filmed in Dallas and Irving, Texas.
The Dallas County Court house was used for the OCP building.
Irony....
You've convinced me. Never watched it before, but now I'm going to have to.
Ok, watched this with husband, and you're absolutely right about Alex Murphy being the heart of this. The action scenes tended to be somewhat over the top, on purpose I think. But it's Alex Murphy, as played by Peter Weller, who really sets the stakes and makes you care.
Loved this. I wrote about this movie awhile back. I think one of the reasons for the enduring popularity of the film is this: RoboCop is a Christ figure.
https://open.substack.com/pub/undergrounddesigns/p/robo-christ
When I watched this movie, we were still recovering from many decades of communism and I struggled to imagine a city so rife with crime in the West. Now... not so much. Great review!
I do think it was mostly an accident. I think this is a case similar to Rutger Hauer’s role as Batty in Blade Runner, with Peter Weller bringing a greater level of humanity through the strength of his acting than the story would otherwise have allowed. It’s a really fun and well made movie, though, and still looks absolutely incredible to this day. (The power of practical effects work.) You should give it a watch if you’ve got time soon, I think you’d enjoy it.