RoboCop (2014 film)

Sony Pictures' Screen Gems first announced a remake in 2005, but it was halted one year later. Darren Aronofsky and David Self were originally assigned to direct and write the film, respectively, for a tentative 2010 release. The film was delayed numerous times, and Padilha signed on in 2011. In March 2012, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (successor company to Orion Pictures until September 11, 2014, the studio that released the original film) announced an August 2013 release, but that was then changed to February 2014. The principal characters were cast from March to July 2012. Principal photography began in September 2012 in Toronto^[9] and Vancouver in Canada,^[10] with additional locations in Hamilton, in Canada, and Detroit in the United States.


RoboCop released in the United States on February 12, 2014, by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film received mixed reviews and was compared negatively to the original film.^[11] It grossed $242.6 million against its $100–130 million budget.

Plot[edit]

In 2028, multinational conglomerate OmniCorp revolutionizes warfare by introducing robotic peacekeepers capable of maintaining law and order. Led by CEO Raymond Sellars, the company moves to market its technology to domestic law enforcement. However, the Dreyfus Act forbids the deployment of militarized drones in the United States. Aware that most Americans oppose the use of military systems in their communities, Sellars asks Dr. Dennett Norton and his research team to come up with an alternative. The result is a proposal for a cyborg police officer. However, Norton informs Sellars that only someone stable enough to handle being a cyborg can be turned into one, and some candidates are rejected.


A Detroit police detective, Alex Murphy, is chosen after he is critically injured in a car-bomb explosion arranged by crime boss Antoine Vallon as revenge for Murphy's investigation into his activities. Norton persuades Alex's wife, Clara, to sign off on the procedure. Upon waking up and realizing the extent of his transformation, a frustrated Alex escapes, but Norton shuts him down and returns him to the lab. As Norton reveals to Alex that the only remnants of his human body are most of his head (excluding parts of the brain), respiratory organs, heart, and his right hand, a disgusted Alex asks for euthanasia. Norton reminds Alex about his wife's and son's patience, convincing him to live for their sake. During combat training with trainer Rick Mattox, Alex proves unable to compete with the standard OmniCorp drones efficiently. Norton alters Alex's programming to make him more efficient by letting drone programming take over his actions, making Alex think they are his. This reprogramming increases Alex's efficiency dramatically but leaves him less empathetic due to his human nature being bypassed. That night, Alex goes to his house to meet Clara and their son David.


Shortly before he is to be publicly unveiled, Alex has an emotional breakdown, forcing Norton to suppress his emotions. During the ceremony, RoboCop identifies and apprehends a criminal in the crowd. He goes on to reduce crime in Detroit dramatically, simultaneously increasing public support for repealing the Dreyfus Act. Aware that Clara has begun to ask questions, Sellars orders Norton to keep her away from her husband.


Clara nevertheless tells RoboCop of David's nightmares, social withdrawal, and unresponsive behavior. The experience drives Alex to override his programming and access the previously sealed files on his attempted murder. From them, Alex learns David was devastated after witnessing the explosion. Alex pursues and kills Vallon and his men before joining with his old partner, Jack Lewis, to confront the two corrupt cops who betrayed him to Vallon, shooting one and tasing the other. Learning that the Chief of Police was also involved, Alex tries arresting her but is remotely shut down by Mattox.


With the help of pro-OmniCorp talk show host Pat Novak, Sellars uses the incident to repeal the Dreyfus Act. Clara goes to the press and fiercely demands to see her husband. Fearful of being exposed, Sellars orders Mattox to destroy RoboCop while he's being repaired and tricks Clara into thinking that Alex died. Norton reaches him first and reveals the truth. RoboCop narrowly escapes from the building just as it undergoes a lockdown.


Alex returns and storms the building, fighting through the ED-209 drones sent to stop him, while Jack and his fellow police arrive to hold off the rest of OmniCorp's forces. Mattox subdues Alex, preparing to finish him off, but is killed by Jack. Alex then makes his way to the roof where Sellars is waiting for a helicopter with Clara and David as hostages. Alex's programming initially prevents him from arresting Sellars. However, he overcomes his programming long enough to kill Sellars.


OmniCorp's parent company, OCP, shuts down the project. The president vetoes the repeal of the Dreyfus Act based on Norton's testimony, much to Novak's anger. Alex's body is rebuilt in Norton's laboratory, and he waits for Clara and David, who are coming to visit him.