Film Review: Robocop 2

Film Review: Robocop 2

There’s a reason why this film is generally forgotten by most people which goes to the film’s general lack of realism and bombastic violence that made the original and undeniably perfect action/sci-fi hybrid. Directed by Irvin Kershner whose only other noteworthy film was Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and The Eyes of Laura Mars, RoboCop 2 is a complete mess of a film that’s more comic book then anything else. This is partially due to legendary comic book writer Frank Miller’s script. The comic book influences are prevalent even though it is well known that Miller’s original script was heavily overhauled by screenwriter Walon Green (whose only noteworthy credits include The Wild Bunch, The Brink’s Job, and Eraser).

In this film RoboCop (Peter Weller) finds himself up against drug dealer Cain (Tom Noonan) who plans on taking control of the drug industry in Old Detroit. At this same time it has become apparent to OCP that the creation of RoboCop is a fluke and that all other subsequent subjects have either gone ballistic or suicidal. At a time when OCP is trying to underhandedly take control of the city in order to make plans to tear down Old Detroit in order to make way for New Detroit, RoboCop comes face to face with a police strike and a rise in crime never before seen in the city.

In individual parts the film works on several levels especially in terms of the commercials which is a motif from the previous film and adds a consumer ambience to the film that compliments OCP’s outlook on capitalism. Where the film suffers the most is in the drug dealer Cain and his gang in which the scenes and violence are played in comic book fun rather than the dirty realism of the first film. Another detraction from the film is the original score by Leonard Rosenman which in no way can replace Basil Poledouris’ score from the original.

Although the writing is a major short coming of the film one of the film’s greatest assets are in the return of Weller in the title role and Nancy Allen as his partner Anne Lewis. It’s also a welcomed addition that Dan O’Herlihy returns as The Old Man in charge of OCP.

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