For my money, the Paul Verhoeven classic Robocop may just be one of the best sci-fi films of the ‘80s. Set in a crime-ridden Detroit, Michigan; Robocop, of course follows police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) who is viciously murdered and subsequently revived by the wicked mega-corporation Omni Consumer Products (OCP) as a superhuman cyborg law enforcer.
The film is depraved, violent, and actually pretty hilarious. It was more intelligent than the typical summer blockbuster action flick. It’s been over 25 years but the movie still feels fresh (to an extent).
When I first heard that they were going to remake Robocop, I was cautiously optimistic. I didn’t want to be a pessimist; I figured I would reserve judgment until at least seeing the trailer. Though, I would eventually come to the conclusion that the movie is going to suck, and you can read why I think so HERE.
But today we aren’t looking toward the future; we are celebrating the past. Let’s take a look at a few moments from the original Robocop that will remind you why it’s so gosh darn friggin’ awesome (pardon my kindergarten potty mouth).
6. “I’d Buy That For A Dollar”
Part of the charm of the original Robocop is due to several commercials that play throughout the film. They are meant to have deeper meaning; speaking on consumerism, cooperate greed but mostly they are just funny. The most memorable commercial is a guy with two ladies at each side of him proclaiming “I’d buy that for a dollar”.
I never knew what the commercial was about, surely a quick Google search would give me an answer but I would rather leave it to my imagination. To this day whenever anybody tells me about something I might be interested in, I always respond with “I’d buy that for a dollar”.
5. ED-209 Malfunctions
When we are first introduced to the corporate big-shots at OCP we see them mid-meeting discussing the future of the company. Second-in-command Dick Jones introduces the panel to ED-209; an enforcement droid that malfunctions and kills a junior executive. The scene is gruesome and perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the film.
4. Murphy’s Death
Before OCP can move forward with their Robocop project they first need a “candidate”. Insert poor Alex Murphy, his first day in a new district. Him and newly appointed partner Anne Lewis follow some scumbags into an abandoned building. Things don’t really work out for Murphy after that (to say the least).
After being apprehended by the scumbags they don’t simply kill him; they KILL HIM! After shooting his hand off in one of the most gruesome amputation scenes in cinema. They shoot him a few hundred times until they finally shoot him in the head. Of course, he wouldn’t be dead for long.
3. Robocop’s First Patrol
After Murphy is resurrected as Robocop he wastes no time hitting the streets, and his first patrol is a hectic one. He foils a attempted robbery, defuses a hostage situation, and drives around town looking like a badass motherf*****!
The most memorable part of his first outing has to be the prevention of an attempted rape. After a bad guy grabs the girl and uses her as a human shield, Robocop shoots through the girls dress hitting the guy in the, ummm, private parts. OUCH!
2. ED-209 vs. Robocop
As soon as ED-209 was introduced we knew that a battle with Robocop was inevitable. When Robocop realizes that Dick Jones has been working with the scumbags who killed him he promptly heads to OCP to make an arrest. This leads to a confrontation between the two androids.
Robocop is at a distinct disadvantage because of his size. Though, who could anticipate ED-209’s fatal weakness, steps?! Robocop barely makes it out unassembled, and Lewis comes to his aid to get him out of there.
1. Toxic Death
After Robocop makes his getaway, he and Lewis lay low for a while. The scumbags find out where they are hiding and go on the hunt. Robocop of course kills every last one of them.
The most memorable death has got to be the poor bloke that gets dipped in the toxic chemicals. He eventually gets hit by a car but geez, this guy was melting to death, that car did him a favor.
What was your favorite moment from the original Robocop? Let us know in the comment section below.
READ ALSO: 11 Movie Robots We Would Unapologetically Hook-Up With
Jesse Gumbarge is editor-in-chief at JarvisCity. He’s a fan of old-school horror flicks and starting pointless debates. You can contact him at JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com.
The first-person view of Robocop being fitted with his helmet was pretty neat. It was the same time he was imprinted with his all-important directives (which should pretty much apply to cops today as a longer version of “protect and serve”).
For me, the biggest reason Robocop worked–and still works–is that Verhoeven trusted the audience. He doesn’t throw out a joke and then wait for it to sink in; he just moves on and trusts we’ll get it. (Which is part of the reason Robocop 2 sucked so badly.) And he treats (most) everything seriously–like the artificial heart commercial. Genius.
(About the “commercial guy”: His name is Bixby Snyder and I believe he hosts a popular variety show. But man, what a legacy.)
Gotta give it up for the sound of RoboCop. The whirr shunk/thud of his steps. May as well be his theme.