Robocop (1987) {Arrow Video 4k Ultra HD Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

"Part Man, Part Machine, All Cop!" This was the tag line for the 80s cult classic Robocop. I remember seeing Robocop as a young kid on TV. I was hooked by the story and the horrific events. I can't count how many time I saw the film on TV.

A couple years ago Arrow Video released this film on Blu-ray. But now for those who love their films in true 4K, your dream has come true, as Arrow Video is giving RoboCop a 4K Ultra HD release. 

The film takes place in Detroit in the not-too-distant future. Heroic cop Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is gunned down in the line of duty, only to be brought back as RoboCop – a cybernetic mix of spare human parts and Motor City steel, and the the latest defense against crime designed by the all-powerful OCP Corporation.

As RoboCop’s memories of his former life as Murphy resurface, only his ex-partner (Nancy Allen) stands beside him to fight against the vicious thugs responsible for his death, as well as a nefarious top-level OCP executive orchestrating the chaos from above.

The film has been restored in 4K from the original camera negative by MGM, approved by director Paul Verhoeven. The film is presented in wide screen format in HD. The audio is the original lossless stereo and four-channel mixes plus DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound option.

This film transfer is pretty amazing. The picture quality is crisp and clear with just the perfect amount of film grain. The colors are vibrant and audio is as clear as a bell. It truly is a stunning looking 4K restoration. But Arrow Video went above the previous Blu-ray release and added an Ultra HD disc Ultra HD content. Take a look at what is included on this 3 disc set.

 

* New artwork by Paul Shipper

* Six collector’s postcards (Limited Edition exclusive)

* Double-sided fold-out poster (Limited Edition exclusive)

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork (Limited Edition exclusive)

* 80-page Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Omar Ahmed, Christopher Griffiths and Henry Blyth, a 1987 Fangoria interview with Rob Bottin and archive materials (some contents exclusive to Limited Edition)

Ultra HD Disc 1 – DIRECTOR’S CUT

* Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, the executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for the Theatrical Cut and re-edited in 2014 for the Director’s Cut)

* New commentary by film historian Paul M. Sammon

* New commentary by fans Christopher Griffiths, Gary Smart and Eastwood Allen

* The Future of Law Enforcement: Creating RoboCop, a newly filmed interview with co-writer Michael Miner

* RoboTalk, a newly filmed conversation between co-writer Ed Neumeier and filmmakers David Birke (writer of Elle) and Nick McCarthy (director of Orion Pictures’ The Prodigy)

* Truth of Character, a newly filmed interview with star Nancy Allen on her role as Lewis

* Casting Old Detroit, a newly filmed interview with casting director Julie Selzer on how the film’s ensemble cast was assembled

* Connecting the Shots, a newly filmed interview with second unit director and frequent Verhoeven collaborator Mark Goldblatt

* Analog, a new featurette focusing on the special photographic effects, including new interviews with Peter Kuran and Kevin Kutchaver

* More Man Than Machine: Composing Robocop, a new tribute to composer Basil Poledouris featuring film music experts Jeff Bond, Lukas Kendall, Daniel Schweiger and Robert Townson

* RoboProps, a newly filmed tour of super-fan Julien Dumont’s collection of original props and memorabilia

* 2012 Q&A with the Filmmakers, a panel discussion featuring Verhoeven, Davison, Neumeier, Miner, Allen, star Peter Weller and animator Phil Tippett

* RoboCop: Creating a Legend, Villains of Old Detroit and Special Effects: Then & Now, three archive featurettes from 2007 featuring interviews with cast and crew

* Paul Verhoeven Easter Egg

* Four deleted scenes

* The Boardroom: Storyboard with Commentary by Phil Tippett

* Director’s Cut Production Footage, raw dailies from the filming of the unrated gore scenes

* Two theatrical trailers and three TV spots

* Extensive image galleries



Ultra HD Disc 2 – THEATRICAL CUT

* Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, the executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for The theatrical version of the film)

* Two Isolated Score tracks (Composer’s Original Mix and Final Theatrical Mix) in lossless stereo

* Edited-for-television version of the film, featuring alternate dubs, takes and edits of several scenes (95 mins, SD only)

* Split-screen comparisons between the Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut, and the Theatrical Cut and edited-for-TV version

* Robocop: Edited For Television, a compilation of alternate scenes from two edited-for-television versions, including outtakes newly transferred in HD from recently-unearthed 35mm elements

Watch The Trailer Below:

RoboCop is truly an 80s classic. Kids liked me were brought up on the adventures of RoboCop and remember the adventure fondly. Now we can relive the adventure in 4K, HD or in the edited-for-TV version, which is how I watched it so many times. 

So if you're a fan of 80's films or the cult classic RoboCop. This release 4K Ultra HD set is an absolute must-own release. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy.

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Arrow Video 4K UltraHD Blu-ray release of Robocop receives...