Part man. Part machine. All cop. The future of law enforcement.|Jul. 17, 1987|United States|102 Min.|R
Genre: Action;Science;Fiction;Thriller
Description: “RoboCop” (1987) – A Comprehensive Overview
Set in a dystopian near future, the city of Detroit teeters on the edge of societal and financial collapse. Plagued by rampant crime and dwindling resources, the city hands control of its police force to the mega-corporation Omni Consumer Products (OCP). During a demonstration, OCP’s Senior President Dick Jones showcases the ED-209, a law enforcement droid designed to replace human officers. However, the demonstration goes awry when the malfunctioning ED-209 kills an executive. This incident provides an opportunity for ambitious junior executive Bob Morton to present his own project—RoboCop—to OCP’s Chairman, known as “The Old Man.”
The story follows Officer Alex Murphy, who is transferred to the Metro West precinct. Alongside his new partner, Anne Lewis, Murphy pursues the notorious criminal Clarence Boddicker and his gang. The gang ambushes and brutally tortures Murphy, culminating in Boddicker shooting him in the head. Morton seizes Murphy’s corpse, transforming it into RoboCop—a powerful, heavily-armored cyborg with no recollection of his past life. Programmed with three prime directives—serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and uphold the law—RoboCop also carries a classified fourth directive.
RoboCop is assigned to Metro West and quickly becomes a media sensation for his ruthless efficiency in combating crime. However, Lewis begins to suspect his true identity after noticing his distinctive way of holstering his gun, a habit Murphy used to impress his son. During a maintenance session, RoboCop experiences a haunting nightmare of Murphy’s death. Later, he encounters Lewis, who addresses him as Murphy. While on patrol, RoboCop arrests Emil, a member of Boddicker’s gang, who also recognizes Murphy’s mannerisms, triggering further memories. Using the police database, RoboCop identifies both his own associates and Murphy’s police record.
RoboCop’s journey of self-discovery leads him to Murphy’s former home, now abandoned after his family moved away following his death. Meanwhile, Jones orchestrates Boddicker’s murder of Morton as revenge for Morton’s attempt to usurp his position at OCP. The film delves into themes of identity, humanity, and corporate control, as RoboCop struggles to reconcile his past with his programmed existence.
“RoboCop” remains a seminal work in science fiction, offering a gripping narrative and thought-provoking commentary on societal and ethical dilemmas.
Cast director: Paul Verhoeven
Cast actor: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, Ray Wise, Felton Perry, Paul McCrane, Jesse D. Goins, Robert DoQui
Original name: RoboCop