8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 3.4 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.8 |
In the not-too-distant future, a Detroit police officer returns as a powerful cyborg after being dismembered by a gang of thugs.
Starring: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood SmithThriller | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 81% |
Action | 74% |
Crime | 44% |
Video codec: MPEG-2
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 4.0 (Original)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 1.5 | |
Audio | 1.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Watching Robocop brought back many memories of the 80’s. I was a young twenty one year old just beginning film school when Robocop was released. I remember the religious right screaming about the gratuitous violence in it, and the pleas from congress for Hollywood to curb violence in motion pictures. I saw beyond the violence. I saw corporate exploitation of labor, corporate greed, and also the influence of Marvel comics, and specifically Judge Dredd
This Orion Picture production is presented in a 1:85:1 aspect ratio in 1080p. The picture quality is a mixed bag: some scenes look reasonably sharp, and others are marred by excessive film grain. Despite the amount of grain, this is the best I have seen Robocop look in all of its renditions: the 20th anniversary DVD, the Trilogy set issued by MGM, or the excellent laserdisc released by Criterion. The transfer itself is quite sharp. I was able to detect objects not previously seen on the DVD or laserdisc releases, like the detail in Robocop's uniform and headgear. Colors are reasonably saturated, and skin tones ranged from natural, to a little on the pink-reddish side. Blood is vividly red, but occasionally colors became subdued. Some scenes appear too dark obstructing shadow detail, and occasionally blacks look a little muddy. The graininess previously mentioned is most objectionable in dark colors, and could appear more like digital noise than grain. In spite of its flaws, this is the definitive Robocop in terms of picture quality.
The audio is presented in Dts HD MA lossless, but the original stems are the weakness of this soundtrack. The surrounds are not particularly prominent, however there is the occasional split channel effect that is quite effective. Overall the audio is band limited as compared to the mixes of current, but none the less quite pleasing for an 80's mix. My RTA's show no output below 40hz in the LFE or mains, and not much output above 15khz as well. The sound is occasionally peaky, especially in the dialog that makes it sound a bit unnatural. Gunshots and explosions sound just a bit anemic, lacking body and weight. The score by Basil Poledouris wraps pleasantly into the surrounds creating an enveloping quality. Overall the score fares better than the dialog and sound effects. This is a decent, but not great mix. Also included is an English 4.0 soundtrack, French and Spanish 5.1 soundtrack.
The only extras offered are a high definition trailer of Robocop, and previews of The Bulletproof Monk, To Live and Die in LA, and the Usual Suspects in HD.
I really enjoyed watching Robocop. While the violence was gratuitus, there was a point to it all. I found the picture quality fairly good, and could easily look past the warts and enjoy the movie. While the sound was band limited, it still bought me into the movie. If you have enjoyed Robocop in the past, you will love this present incarnation.
Theatrical Cut | Unreleased
1987
Director's Cut
1987
Remastered | Director's Cut
1987
VUDU Offer
1987
Remastered | Director's Cut
1987
San Diego Comic-Con 2014 Exclusive
1987
1987
Limited Edition Collectible Cover Art | Remastered | Director's Cut
1987
Remastered/ with slipcover & Poster
1987
Remastered | Director's Cut
1987
4K Restoration | Limited Edition
1987
Limited Edition
1987
1987
Limited Edition
1987
1987
Director's Cut Standard Edition
1987
2014
Collector's Edition
1993
Collector's Edition
1990
40th Anniversary Edition
1984
2008
2009
2014
1987
Ultimate Collector's Edition
1986
1987
1997
2002
2015
2018
2008
Collector's Edition
1979
The Ultimate Cut
2009
1990
10th Anniversary Edition
2012
1080i
2003