Streaming platforms like Prime Video have transformed the way audiences engage with films, especially those that may have slipped under the radar during their theatrical runs. A prime example is the RoboCop remake, originally released in 2014. Recently, it has made its way into the top 10 trending films on Prime, overshadowing popular titles like Fast Five and Twisters, and even surpassing the much-anticipated Nosferatu set to debut in 2024. Currently, the reigning top film is the Prime original Heads of State, featuring action stars John Cena and Idris Elba.
What This Means For RoboCop
Fans Can Reappraise The RoboCop Remake
When RoboCop hit theaters in 2014, it faced a wave of mixed reviews and ultimately disappointed at the box office. Critics heavily focused on its inability to match the cult status of the original film created by Paul Verhoeven in 1987. Despite its unfortunate reception, that earlier film has undergone a significant reappraisal over the years, revealing the layers of satire that initial audiences may have overlooked.
Set in a dystopian world, the original RoboCop tells the story of a police officer transformed into a cyborg to restore order in a crime-ridden city. The 2014 remake reimagines this concept through a corporate lens, where a critically injured officer is chosen to become a robotic protector of the law. However, viewers found that while the visuals dazzled, the substance lacked the biting critique that made the original resonant.
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RoboCop (2014) Key Facts Breakdown |
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Budget |
$100 million |
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Box Office |
$242 million |
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score |
50% |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
49% |
Starring Joel Kinnaman as the titular character, the remake featured a stellar cast, including Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, and Samuel L. Jackson. Yet, the film leaned heavily into high-octane action, missing the sharp satire that made the original a classic. Consequently, it was deemed a letdown by both critics and fans alike.
Now, more than a decade after its initial release, RoboCop is finding a new audience through Prime Video. However, whether this resurgence will lead to the same kind of thoughtful reappraisal that the original experienced remains uncertain.
Our Take On The RoboCop Remake
The Original RoboCop Is Also On Prime Video
While the RoboCop remake may be gaining some renewed attention, it doesn’t necessarily imply that it will overcome its previous disappointments. Audience reception remains lukewarm, with a low score of 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, just shy of the critics’ score of 50%.
Perhaps the most significant drawback of the remake lies in its failure to deliver the societal critiques and reflections on fascism that Verhoeven’s original masterfully explored. Instead, it settles as a straightforward action thriller—a distinction that may appeal to some but ultimately undermines the spirit of the franchise. For those looking for depth and commentary, the original RoboCop, also available on Prime Video, is likely a more fulfilling watch.
Source: Flixpatrol