RoboCop 2014 revisits a sci-fi icon, but does it deserve a second chance? Remember the original RoboCop? Man, that thing landed in 1987, and it wasn't just, like, a movie. No, it was a total cultural lightning bolt. Paul Verhoeven directed it, and Peter Weller played this cop – gets murdered, right? – then comes back as a part-robot, crime-fighting officer. He's taking on the bad guys in Detroit. This movie had everything: intense action, really sharp satirical humor, a whole crew of memorable villains. And don't even get me started on Basil Poledouris's score; that was pretty much its own character. Seriously, it's sitting at a phenomenal 92% on Rotten Tomatoes even now. Still holds up.
So, when the news dropped in 2005 that RoboCop was getting a reboot, a lot of us probably asked: Why? Why touch something so beloved? It's a question we've asked countless times in Hollywood, right? Over a decade after its announcement, the 2014 version finally hit the big screen. This remake seemed to have a lot going for it on paper, boasting a stellar cast: Joel Kinnaman (from The Suicide Squad and For All Mankind) donned the iconic suit, joined by Oscar winner Gary Oldman, along with beloved, Academy-nominated talents like Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, and the late Michael K. Williams.
Now, while the 2014 film found global success and was a box office hit around the world, it met with a somewhat lukewarm reception here in the U.S. domestically. But here’s the cool part: over a decade after its theatrical release, it’s currently experiencing a genuine renaissance, finding a whole new audience on streaming platforms!
Joel Kinnaman, the man behind the new visor, recently reflected on the making of the film. He talked about how truly awe-inspiring the entire experience was, and how much he valued working with director José Padilha. Kinnaman specifically highlighted the incredible enthusiasm and collaborative atmosphere Padilha fostered on set.
Kinnaman's words really paint a picture of a passionate set where everyone was invested in making something special. Perhaps that collective effort is exactly why the 2014 RoboCop is finally finding its stride with new viewers.
So, now that it's streaming, does this RoboCop really deserve a second chance from audiences? You tell us!
The 2014 RoboCop is available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K, digital platforms, and streaming on Prime Video, Pluto TV, and Tubi.
