I Think Robocop 3 is actually an unfairly dismissive film in the franchise. Now I'm not saying this movie is "great" or be like "oh how can nobody see the awesomeness behind this". Because I do agree this movie is very flawed and it's not perfect. But I don't think it's terrible either. In fact, I love this movie. This is one of those films I love but everyone seems to hate. I think a big reason why so many people hate this movie, is just how ridiculous the story is, with Robocop going from being a cyborg that upheld the law, to suddenly a freedom fighter in a war on capitalism. Although me personally, I think this is a situation that been escalating since the very first movie. I do admit that it's kinda difficult talking about Robocop in time where the police force is very polarizing and very corrupt. I can't compare or relate to any of the actual horrors of violence and death that occurs with actual police. But what I do know is that people genuinely want to do good and be good people. It's also important to remember that film series like Robocop aren't to be taken seriously. Just say the title "Robocop" is a an extreme and nonsensical idea for a character, and it always will be. But I'm here to talk about that. I'm here to deliver my opinions on the third film, which honestly I feel has been given too much hate by it's own fanbase.
I will admit there are a lot of plot holes in this movie that do start too add up. But I blame that on the movie's screenwriter Frank Miller. If you don't know who that is. Google him and you'll discover he's written a lot of hardcore, violent, and gritty things. But the point is, he's a guy with a lot of "okay boomer", ideas and opinions. That killing criminals is something we should be applauding and cheering on from our heroes. Which again isn't something that most people (including me) don't condone. Especially since police officers like Robocop are meant to protect us. It's clear Frank Miller wants his opinions to be heard, while of course struggling with the films co-writer and director Fred Dekker, who clearly doesn't care to make a political satire or drama like Frank wants too.
According to a lot of fans of Robocop franchise, this movie is nothing but an "asinine film with too many retreads and not a hint of irony". I don't think.
It's important to remember that the Urban Rehabilitators or the "Rehabs" in the movie are mercenaries hired by OCP to forcibly drive people out of their homes, so the company can finally begin construction on a "Brand new city i.e. Delta City". While that doesn't sound bad on the surface. It kinda is, because where are these people suppose to live, what type of homes and opportunities is OCP providing? They never say, and anyone with a brain in their head would indeed tell you that the point of capitalism is to "get the job done and worry about these problems later". Too me that sounds like a real issue and scenario that has always been relevant. While it would've been just easy to have this be a commentary on race or something like that, it's does show that class warfare affects everyone. Big businesses don't care about the individual, there loyalty isn't to us, it's to the stockholders.
Another complaint I hear fans make is that "the villains are the over-the top and cartoonish". You should never doubt the existence of crazy and outlandish villains in the real world. Quite frankly The Robocop movies have given some of the most evil, depraved, and downright hatable villains of any franchise that I've seen. I say this film kept the streak going. Because everyone, from the main to the side antagonist are out of control and evil to the point you want them all to die. Which can said to the same with the other villains, and that's exactly what we get here. The villains exemplify everything honest and hardworking people hate, and that's typically scummy, cynical, cruel and bigoted jerks who operate under the idea "Screw you got mine", or "I'm untouchable and powerful, and I will lie to make you look like the real villain, and continue to be a criminal myself".
But the biggest complaint is Robocop becoming a lower-class freedom fighter. To which I have this to say: When a individual who's sworn to protect and serve the people, becomes corrupted and dirty, they have broken the contract that labels them a servant or an agent of the law. It's very true in todays world, where individuals who aren't emotionally sound, or are being dictated and bride with money, suddenly chose that over responsibility and loyalty. In my opinion this movie has one of the best climax's I've ever seen in any action movies. The regular cops give up their position as police officers because they will no longer be an agent for a corporation that is unrepentant and corrupt, and they decide to stage a blockade with the citizens of Cadillac heights, knowing they are out numbered and out gunned, and aren't strong enough to take down a big corporation like OCP, who has let the Rehab's bring in actual murderers and thieves from off the street into their ranks; even though they have all reason to surrender, they don't because they want to show how "Real cops act", and that is to "Serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and Uphold the law". The scene that brings tears of joy to my eye every time I watch may be ridiculous in hindsight, but I don't care because it's so inspiring and hopeful, when Robocop comes flying in with the jet pack and takes down the criminals and even a tank, saving the cops and the citizens. It's an epic moment. And I know so many people can't accept this. But the point about fictional heroes (even cyborg police officers) is that they aren't supposed to be flawless or to be full on representations that look as though they've stepped out of real life, and have anger and hatred in their hearts. All throughout this movie violence, corruption, and watching the under dogs get slaughtered for the sake of big business has been the main focus. Robocop was still a product of big business, and more than likely the regular people wouldn't have never stood a chance if it hadn't been for him. I do see the weird irony of the whole thing, "A creation by OCP turns on them, so really people can't protect themselves unless they're a cyborg", that's not how I see, Alex Murphy was able to break the connection to OCP and not become a full on machine, because that was a plot point in this movie which ultimately led to him leading to join the underdogs, when Doctor Lazarus decided not follow orders by putting a chip in his brain which would've erased the last bits of Alex Murphy's humanity. Because of simply human kindness and compassion, and one person smart enough to figure out that "this company is evil and insane so best not to give them what they want". Corruption in the real world is people doing terrible things regardless if they know if it's bad or not, as long as they are enriched and rewarded at the expense of people suffering. But not everyone is like that. If big corporations really did want to take over the world, they would've done it head on and try to hide it, they would've taken over everything and not give a crap who they had to hurt. But that's irony about big business, they ultimately create the thing they dread, and therefore create what ever it is that will bring them down. That's what happens here, as ridiculous as it is seeing Robocop flying in on a jet pack, it's just proves the point I've been trying to make here, "Ultimately people create the thing they dread, and it will bring them down in the end". But from a story perspective, some people would still find this stupid, to which I say, "Escapist fiction is suppose to be that way, it takes place in a hokey and sillier version of our world. Having ridiculous and optimistic moments is great", stories of cops, and good guys are meant to be optimism, that people are worth saving and helping even if it means doing silly things to do it.
I will admit there are a lot of plot holes in this movie that do start too add up. But I blame that on the movie's screenwriter Frank Miller. If you don't know who that is. Google him and you'll discover he's written a lot of hardcore, violent, and gritty things. But the point is, he's a guy with a lot of "okay boomer", ideas and opinions. That killing criminals is something we should be applauding and cheering on from our heroes. Which again isn't something that most people (including me) don't condone. Especially since police officers like Robocop are meant to protect us. It's clear Frank Miller wants his opinions to be heard, while of course struggling with the films co-writer and director Fred Dekker, who clearly doesn't care to make a political satire or drama like Frank wants too.
According to a lot of fans of Robocop franchise, this movie is nothing but an "asinine film with too many retreads and not a hint of irony". I don't think.
It's important to remember that the Urban Rehabilitators or the "Rehabs" in the movie are mercenaries hired by OCP to forcibly drive people out of their homes, so the company can finally begin construction on a "Brand new city i.e. Delta City". While that doesn't sound bad on the surface. It kinda is, because where are these people suppose to live, what type of homes and opportunities is OCP providing? They never say, and anyone with a brain in their head would indeed tell you that the point of capitalism is to "get the job done and worry about these problems later". Too me that sounds like a real issue and scenario that has always been relevant. While it would've been just easy to have this be a commentary on race or something like that, it's does show that class warfare affects everyone. Big businesses don't care about the individual, there loyalty isn't to us, it's to the stockholders.
Another complaint I hear fans make is that "the villains are the over-the top and cartoonish". You should never doubt the existence of crazy and outlandish villains in the real world. Quite frankly The Robocop movies have given some of the most evil, depraved, and downright hatable villains of any franchise that I've seen. I say this film kept the streak going. Because everyone, from the main to the side antagonist are out of control and evil to the point you want them all to die. Which can said to the same with the other villains, and that's exactly what we get here. The villains exemplify everything honest and hardworking people hate, and that's typically scummy, cynical, cruel and bigoted jerks who operate under the idea "Screw you got mine", or "I'm untouchable and powerful, and I will lie to make you look like the real villain, and continue to be a criminal myself".
But the biggest complaint is Robocop becoming a lower-class freedom fighter. To which I have this to say: When a individual who's sworn to protect and serve the people, becomes corrupted and dirty, they have broken the contract that labels them a servant or an agent of the law. It's very true in todays world, where individuals who aren't emotionally sound, or are being dictated and bride with money, suddenly chose that over responsibility and loyalty. In my opinion this movie has one of the best climax's I've ever seen in any action movies. The regular cops give up their position as police officers because they will no longer be an agent for a corporation that is unrepentant and corrupt, and they decide to stage a blockade with the citizens of Cadillac heights, knowing they are out numbered and out gunned, and aren't strong enough to take down a big corporation like OCP, who has let the Rehab's bring in actual murderers and thieves from off the street into their ranks; even though they have all reason to surrender, they don't because they want to show how "Real cops act", and that is to "Serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and Uphold the law". The scene that brings tears of joy to my eye every time I watch may be ridiculous in hindsight, but I don't care because it's so inspiring and hopeful, when Robocop comes flying in with the jet pack and takes down the criminals and even a tank, saving the cops and the citizens. It's an epic moment. And I know so many people can't accept this. But the point about fictional heroes (even cyborg police officers) is that they aren't supposed to be flawless or to be full on representations that look as though they've stepped out of real life, and have anger and hatred in their hearts. All throughout this movie violence, corruption, and watching the under dogs get slaughtered for the sake of big business has been the main focus. Robocop was still a product of big business, and more than likely the regular people wouldn't have never stood a chance if it hadn't been for him. I do see the weird irony of the whole thing, "A creation by OCP turns on them, so really people can't protect themselves unless they're a cyborg", that's not how I see, Alex Murphy was able to break the connection to OCP and not become a full on machine, because that was a plot point in this movie which ultimately led to him leading to join the underdogs, when Doctor Lazarus decided not follow orders by putting a chip in his brain which would've erased the last bits of Alex Murphy's humanity. Because of simply human kindness and compassion, and one person smart enough to figure out that "this company is evil and insane so best not to give them what they want". Corruption in the real world is people doing terrible things regardless if they know if it's bad or not, as long as they are enriched and rewarded at the expense of people suffering. But not everyone is like that. If big corporations really did want to take over the world, they would've done it head on and try to hide it, they would've taken over everything and not give a crap who they had to hurt. But that's irony about big business, they ultimately create the thing they dread, and therefore create what ever it is that will bring them down. That's what happens here, as ridiculous as it is seeing Robocop flying in on a jet pack, it's just proves the point I've been trying to make here, "Ultimately people create the thing they dread, and it will bring them down in the end". But from a story perspective, some people would still find this stupid, to which I say, "Escapist fiction is suppose to be that way, it takes place in a hokey and sillier version of our world. Having ridiculous and optimistic moments is great", stories of cops, and good guys are meant to be optimism, that people are worth saving and helping even if it means doing silly things to do it.