S16 Ep860: RoboCop (2014)

The podcast episode delivers a blistering critique of the 2014 RoboCop remake, with hosts Andrew Jupin, Steven Sadak, Chris Cabin, Eric Sisko, and Charissa dismantling the film across every dimension—tone, character, action, and thematic depth. They condemn the movie’s PG-13 sanitization for draining it of the original’s gritty violence and satirical edge, calling it a soulless corporate rehash that sacrifices moral complexity for generic spectacle. Joel Kinnaman’s performance is dismissed as bland and unconvincing, while Michael Keaton and Gary Oldman are criticized for soft, underwritten portrayals that lack the menace of their predecessors. The film’s weak antagonist, underdeveloped family drama, and hollow emotional stakes further undermine its impact, culminating in a chaotic, CGI-heavy finale with no real payoff. The hosts express disbelief that such a film was greenlit, calling it a particularly large failure that misses every opportunity to honor or innovate upon the source material. Despite Samuel L. Jackson’s standout turn as Pat Novak, the satire feels forced and ineffective, and the film’s central themes of corruption are poorly executed and shallow. In a surprising twist, the hosts recommend watching the lesser-known 2001 Canadian RoboCop TV series and made-for-TV sequels like Crash and Burn over the 2014 remake, which they deem inferior even to those low-budget alternatives. The episode concludes with a positive shift as the hosts promote exclusive Patreon content, including deep dives into remakes on 'We Love Movies' and 'Once in a Lifetime,' as well as upcoming episodes of 'Scaredy Cats' and 'The Nexus.' They also highlight Shopify as a recommended platform for entrepreneurs, praising its ease of use and integration, marking a bright note amid the otherwise scathing review.