Does the man control the suit? Or does the suit control the man?
The year is 2028, and Detroit is plagued with crime and criminals. The only system left in place to fight this crime is the Detroit Police Department, and partners Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) and Jack Lewis (Michael K Williams). As they chase the renowned criminal, Antoine Vallon (Patrick Garrow), through the city, Jack Lewis is hospitalized and star Alex Murphy is critically injured. Seizing the opportunity, multinational company . Omnicorp takes the initiative to place a new breed of police on the streets, Robocop.
From the opening scene onto the “Novak Element,” a TV show starring Samuel L. Jackson as Pat Novak, it is obvious that this movie clearly touches on some controversial issues. Touching on overseas occupation to faults of monopolies here at home, there is no doubt that this is the most politically driven action film so far this year.
Although it can be argued that the movie was not as much of a political discussion as an action movie, there is speculation among critics that writer Joshua Zetemer, under direction of Jose Padilha, knew exactly what he was getting himself in to. From the debate about armed and corrupt police in Detroit to the discussion of whether free will is or is an illusion, you’re bound to stumble onto a political disagreement with the movie.
What the film did manage to accomplish was giving aged fans a nostalgic reuniting with the 1987 film. In addition, actor Gary Oldman (“Harry Potter,” “Batman Begins,” “Dark Knight Rises”), played Dr. Dennett Norton, added a fantastic role for a remake, delivering conflicting emotion over the transformation and evolution of “Robocop.” Along with this, Omnicorp executive Raymond Sellars (played by Michael Keaton) delivers a stable role as the narcissistic and power-hungry antagonist.
Alongside these actors are a strong supporting cast led by Jennifer Ehle (“Zero Dark Thirty,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Ides of March”) as Liz Kline, Sellars assistant. With her is Jay Baruchel (“Million Dollar Baby,” “She’s Out Of My League,” “How To Train Your Dragon”) as Tom Pope, Omnicorps head of marketing.
Overall, this was a very entertaining movie with thought provoking, controversial themes and a strong cast to support the remake of this classic fan-based film.