Although quite predictable, Robocop does entertain.  Targeted to the tweens, teens and twenties the movie gets right into the action from the beginning, lags somewhat in the middle then ends with a loud crescendo. My fellow critics may disagree with my assessment, but I did like the film very much. It reminds me of a lower budget The Dark Knight that doesn’t get overly sarcastic, less vulgar language, but as much violence and mayhem.  If you are an action junkie with nothing left to see at your hometown movie theater, hop on your “robocycle” and head out for some exciting thrills.

It’s in the year 2028 and Omni Corporation has been pushing for robot police in the United States, the only country that has refused to use their terror defense system.  Head honcho of OmniCorp Raymond Sellars (Michael Keaton) has promoted his products to the public, but still has resistance from Congress because they think that the robots do not have human feelings. They believe that a human brain would deter any innocent humans as collateral damage during a police raid.

Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) and his partner (Michael K. Williams)

In the meantime Detroit PD detective Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) and his partner (Michael K. Williams) get surprised during a crime raid that puts Jack Lewis (Michael K. Williams) in the hospital. In retribution, Murphy gets attacked with a car bomb that destroys most of his body.  Looking for the perfect specimen to become OmniCorp’s first android policeman with human feelings, Dr. Dennett Norton (Gary Oldman) chooses Murphy as his Robocop.  When Sellars starts to abuse the power of his new invention, Robocop starts a war of his own.

Robocop (Joel Kinnaman) at the scene of a disturbance

The very fast moving action film gets exciting from the beginning, showing how the world has become taken over by OmniCorp’s robotic military machines. Director José Padilha uses action to rule his film with non-stop conflict between police action groups using automated killing technology, including drones.  We watch as other countries of the world use his military equipment to take out unwanted factions that oppose their governments.  He then takes the task to the people of the United States and when the Robocop is put into play, Padilha pits him against OmniCorp’s best defense mechanisms.

Robocop on his cycle with his wife Clara (Abbie Cornish)

Joel Kinnaman does a terrific job as the man in the robotic armor.  Similar to Peter Weller’s version back in 1987, the mechanized man in the hard suit puts his life on the line taking down crime.  Kinnaman uses the suit to help him move like a robot would and using his fire power to overcome impossible odds.  His ‘robocycle’, although slimmer than the batcycle, provides his transport against crime getting him to the scene and taking over to save the day.  A very good actor, I enjoyed Kinnaman’s acting when he performed in the Television series “The Killing”.  He has the screen presence that makes you believe in his character and as Robocop he succeeds as well.

Michael Keaton is back in action, but instead of being in the black suit (Batman) he’s the antagonist whose greed gets the best of him. Being the ruler of OmniCorp, Keaton’s character Sellars has to be a businessman.  He uses every possible pressure he can to convince Congress to take on his robots.  When he sees the power he has created for himself in the process, he turns it on those who would prevent him from becoming a mega capitalist.

The comedy that releases some of the pressure from all the mayhem gets delivered by Samuel L. Jackson as Pat Novak. He’s a television political commentator who is in favor of robotic police and calls Congress ‘robophobic’.  He puts pressure on the powers of Congress to accept OmniCorp’s proposal to make the streets of Detroit safe with the use of androids and automated technology.  His reporting delivery, similar to his credit card TV ad, gets so intense that you have to laugh at his impetuous character.

Robocop has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of action including frenetic gun violence throughout, brief strong language, sensuality and some drug material.  While it seems like a lot of pandemonium, the action sequences do parallel most of what gamers are used to in fantasy play.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good action film with a character that mimics the Dark Knight. (B)

Additional Film Information:
Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Williams, Jennifer Ehle, Jay Baruchel, and Samuel L. Jackson
Directed by: José Padilha
Genre: Crime, Action, Sci-Fi
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action including frenetic gun violence throughout, brief strong language, sensuality and some drug material
Running Time: 1 hr 48 min
Release Date: February 14, 2014
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing