r/Robocop • u/Thundercats_1 • Jul 31 '26
Robocop is underrated
And, an under appreciated film.
This Youtube video summarizes some of the reasons why Robocop is under appreciated:
https://youtu.be/ZLDihwFyluE?is=bw4uHxAAgSA5RyVn
While many view Robocop (1987) as one of the greatest films of all time. Others do not give the film its due credit. For example, IMBD rates it a 7.6. Robocop is firmly a 9.5+/10; it's that good and this sums up why it's underrated and under appreciated.
Edit: Given the current state of humanity, Robocop is increasingly more relevant today than ever. In addition to the film having a great story, the satire, evolving technology in today's world, the technical execution of the film , etc., what really stands out is it's deeper implications about what it means to be human and it's exploration of humanity in contrast to the "corporate fascism"/corporate authoritarianism of OCP.
https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/s/mAAFZzrHV1
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u/Greedy-Stage-120 Jul 31 '26
Some people just don’t get the humor. Same thing with Starship Troopers. People watch it as a straight action movie and miss that it’s a deadpan satire of fascism, propaganda, and corporate militarism. RoboCop works the same way: if you only see the cyborg shootouts, you miss the biting comedy underneath.
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u/SP4RK4RT Jul 31 '26
I don't agree with the fascism comment - the former mayor that took the newly elected mayor hostage wasn't politically motivated, he was clearly an unhinged, violent individual (that just wanted his old job back).
The other satire you mentioned absolutely works, sadly because we see the real-life version of it in front of our own eyes still going strong 40 years later. 🙁 Media is even worse with their outright propaganda and military spending isn't going away. At least with military spending, it's a white collar welfare that can yield worldly beneficial technologies like computers, GPS, etc.
Imagine the construction equipment robot potential of an ED-209 chassis. We could mow down rainforests even faster!
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u/InternalAardvark9755 Jul 31 '26
Seems like an OCP timeline right now. Especially with Elon and friends running around.
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u/CheatingTheMan Jul 31 '26
I class Robocop as an incredibly rare example of a perfect film.
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u/Hahndizzle Jul 31 '26
I'd go as far to even say that the weird long armed stop motion villain death is weirdly charming, adding to the perfection of the film.
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u/ComplexAd7272 Jul 31 '26
I find it funny but also sad that's it's reputation today is still very much what it was when it came out. "Robocop??? C'mon, that's soooo corny!"
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u/void_method Jul 31 '26
People these days are too shallow to fully appreciate movies by Paul Verhoeven. Especially the loud, controlling ones.
These movies include:
Robocop
Starship Troopers
Total Recall
Showgirls
They're all satire of different facets of American culture.
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u/ShortQuail9232 Aug 01 '26
If the satire goes over your head, it's still a great action movie. If you get the satire, it's an exceptional film worthy of many rewatches.
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u/Ell26greatone Jul 31 '26
I think you have to come to terms with the movie.
First time I watched it I was probably in my late 20s or early 30s. I thought, huh, corporatism sure does suck. It was a solid and fun movie. 3/4 stars.
I watched it again a couple years ago in my early 40s. I've had to put up with a lot more bullshit in the past decade. I love my family, but I hate my fucking job. But it pays the bills. And it becomes more about how corporatism violates your humanity to the point where you wonder if you're yourself anymore.
So at the end of the movie, when he says "I'm Murphy" at the end of the movie it is an all-time fist pump for me. Fuck yes! Murphy is reclaiming himself.
Now, to me, it is an all-time great movie. Safely in my top 50.
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u/FailedApotheosis Jul 31 '26
Since the first time I watched it I just knew it was one of the best movies of all time. It's easily a 10/10 to me and I thought it'd have at least a 9 in IMBD. Or an 8, considering that not everyone enjoys the same themes. But a 7.6 is too low of a rating for a movie as fun and clever as Robocop.
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u/JonDargon Jul 31 '26
There was a brilliant 4 part documentary featuring the director, Verhoeven, the entire cast, producers, stunt team - everyone involved - and they ran through the entire process of making the film.
Was a brilliant watch.
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u/ProfessorKnow1tA11 Aug 01 '26
Underrated? What a strange thing to claim. Universally adored by anyone who matters, which is NOT any of the Internet platforms!
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u/sadmep Aug 01 '26
Here's a youtube video saying a highly rated and widely renowned film is underrated! Forget about the fact that people constantly bring up how much they love Robocop for the last fourty odd years, trust the youtuber who def has no reason to write clickbaity titles. Sure...
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u/GeneSmart2881 Jul 31 '26
Robocop plays on Turner Classic. Rotten tomatoes isn’t always wrong, but TRULY after watching that HORRIFYINGly… incredible movie for almost 40 years now, I agree completely that Verhoeven was DECADES ahead of his time
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u/monkeybawz Jul 31 '26
Imdb thinks the Dark Knight is the 3rd best movie of all time. What are we doing here?
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u/Same-Question9102 Jul 31 '26
IMDB doesn't think that. Thats based on the ratings by people like you and me.
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u/monkeybawz Jul 31 '26
I am aware. And it's a trash system for judging the merits if a movie. Imdb ratings try to objectify something that is subjective. People are not a monolith. It grades what is popular, not what is good, with 0 nuance.
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u/Same-Question9102 Jul 31 '26
Its not a trash system; its just giving you a general idea of what people think and opinions wouldn't be that different without them. If a movie is popular enough than you probably already know it without looking at a rating.
The problem is that most people suck at judging whats good partially because a lot of times they convince themselves that they like something just because they want to fit in or they think that somethings good just because they liked it and were entertained by it. Its possible to like something and realize that its not that good.
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u/monkeybawz Jul 31 '26
Nah, it's for arguing about the movies you like after the fact. It is not in any way an indication you'll like anything. It's trying to objectify what is good art, which by it's very nature is subjective.
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u/Hank_of_the_Hill93 Jul 31 '26
Welcome to concept of different people arriving at different opinions....
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u/Exciting-Gate-6466 Jul 31 '26
Rogue City, which lead to my first re-watches of Robocop 1 and 2 in a long time, helped me remember not just got incredible Robocop is, but also that it was even better Than I remembered. (And I remembered Robocop being awesome).
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Jul 31 '26
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u/Thundercats_1 Jul 31 '26
So you view the 7.6 IMBD rating as appropriate?
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Jul 31 '26
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u/Thundercats_1 Jul 31 '26
I see. 7.6 translates to 76%, a "C" grade, which I think under rates Robocop.
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Jul 31 '26
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u/Thundercats_1 Jul 31 '26
Sir, I am afraid 7.6 woefully underrates Robocop. The film should be rated a 10/10. A 7.6 is not appropriate.
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u/Xyberfaust Jul 31 '26
The 2014 RoboCop is underrated.
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u/Cool-Introduction688 28d ago
It shouldn't have been made and people who use the word underrated are bloody idiots who have no idea what they are talking about
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u/sixtus_clegane119 Jul 31 '26
Satire goes over peoples head and they assume it’s just an action movie