While theRobocopfranchise has faltered since the first beloved movie,Upgradeprovided the perfect chance for a remake.Robocopwas released in 1987and followed a hero cop, Alex Murphy (Peter Weller), who was brutally murdered in the line of duty and resurrected as a robotic lawman.
In the hands of auteur Paul Verhoeven,Robocoptakes that silly premise and turns it into a surprisingly graphic sci-fi action movie with a lot of fun satirical elements. The first film was a financial and critical success and has earned even more fans over the years. Unfortunately, the attempts to grow the franchise from there have been unsuccessful.
TheRobocopsequelswere met with much less enthusiasm, mostly due to losing Verhoeven’s more satirical approach. Likewise, the2014Robocopremakewas also seen as a disappointment and lost a lot of what made the original so special. However, one underrated sci-fi thriller from 2018 shows how good aRobocopremake could have been.
Like Robocop, Upgrade Blends Sci-Fi Ideas And Gory Action
Robocop And Upgrade Also Share Tragic Heroes
Upgradewas released in 2018 and remains one of the best sci-fi movies of the 2010s. The film follows Grey (Logan Marshall-Green), a man whose wife is killed in a violent attack, which leaves him paralyzed.Using a state-of-the-art implant that can move his body for him, Grey uses the new AI, named STEM, to hunt down his wife’s killers.
The premise of a man attacked by a gang of criminals using advanced technology to fight back and bring them to justice does feel reminiscent ofRobocop, but that is not where the similarities end.Upgradeintroduces the clever sci-fi premise only to turn into an action thriller with a surprising amount of gore.
Using STEM, Grey takes out the villains with wild brutality, delivering some memorable kills.
Withhorror veteran Leigh Whannellserving asUpgrade’s director, the gore isn’t outside of his wheelhouse, but like Robocop, it is shocking how far the movie goes with the graphic action, and is made all the more exciting because of it. Using STEM, Grey takes out the villains with wild brutality, delivering some memorable kills.
There is also a darker aspect to both movies, with Murphy being used by the corporate villains to be resurrected without his consent. He is treated as a robot but still has memories of his loved ones. Likewise, inUpgrade’s dark ending, Grey is revealed to be a puppet, being used by STEM to gain full control of his body.
Upgrade Could Have Been The Reboot To Save The Disappointing Robocop Franchise
There Hasn’t Been A Good Robocop Movie Since The Original
As beloved as the original is, theRobocopmovies make for one of those unfortunatefranchises that cannot seem to get the sequels right, along with the lackluster remake. However,Upgradeproved there were still new approaches that could be made with the franchise while still giving fans what they wanted.
It is easy to see howUpgradecould have been reworked into aRobocopremake.The 2018 movie clearly draws inspiration fromRobocop, and unlike theRobocopsequels, it understands that R-rated action is part of the appeal. TheRobocopremake was at least less kid-oriented, but its PG-13 approach still felt dull.
Robocop (2014)
Remake
More importantly, the story could have maintained a lot of the commentary aspects that were present in the originalRobocop.While Verhoeven commented on consumer culture and corporate greed, the remake could have addressed the rising dependence on technology and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Having such an entertaining and smartRobocopremake could have turned things around for the struggling franchise. While there has been talk of aRobocoptelevision show, it is unclear if that is what the franchise needs at this point. However, while it might not be an officialRobocopmovie,Upgradewill satisfy fans of the classic.
