Film Review: RoboCop 2

After a phenomenally exciting and bloody debut, who wouldn't want more of RoboCop? While this sequel doesn't quite carry as much manic energy or thematic strength as Paul Verhoeven's film, it does continue in the same vein and deliver more of the same.  It's still a wild, ultraviolent world full of rip-roaring action and pulp.

RoboCop 2 boasts some decent standout moments.  Its opening is an intensely seedy sequence that tracks multiple people getting attacked and mugged, one after another, setting things up for RoboCop to bust in and take care of business.  There are a few decent chases and shootouts, especially during the finale, which pits RoboCop against a robot criminal.  The film suffers just a little bit of drag, but it manages to maintain the same tone and spirit of the original film, making it consistently entertaining.  Yep, there are even a few great fake commercials thrown in.

The story takes a few random tangents, but they are good ones.  If you ever wondered what was going on with Murphy's family, this film expands a bit more on that.  The film takes a pretty amusing turn when OCP decides to transform RoboCop into a less violent crime-fighter, focusing more on community service and being all goody-good.  The film's main track, however, dives into a conflict surrounding drugs, gangsters, corporate greed, and OCP trying to find a better RoboCop.  It all adds up to a pretty decent expansion on the original story, and it's quite fun overall.  When it comes to the finer points, however, the satire, social themes, and themes of humanity will come up a little dry when compared to the first film.

Irvin Kershner directs this film competently, with solid photography and editing.  Peter Weller and Nancy Allen reprise their roles comfortably, and everybody else does a decent enough job.  It can be a little startling (maybe even offensive) to see a kid playing a serious gangster role, complete with adult language.  Writing is okay.  This production uses good-looking sets, props, costumes, and special effects.  Music is okay.

Not quite as tight or deep as the first film, but this sequel still offers a satisfying follow-up, and it is pretty darn fun.  Recommended for anybody who wants more RoboCop.

4/5 (Entertainment:  Good | Story:  Pretty Good | Film:  Good)