"RoboCop: Prime Directives" (2000)
Directed by: Julian Grant
Screenplay by: Joseph O'Brien & Brad Abraham
Based on Characters created by: Edward Neumeier & Michael Miner
Review:
With RoboCop 3 the franchise went into a more family friendly direction, this style was followed with RoboCop: The Series which was a short lived TV show made in 1994. As with RoboCop 3 the violence was toned down to be more family friendly and the character was aimed to appeal with children.
In 2000 Fireworks Entertainment wanted to make good use of the rights to RoboCop before they would expire so they decided to make RoboCop: Prime Directives and return the franchise to it's roots by making it dark, violent and satirical like the original 1987 Sci-fi classic.
The 4 part mini-series is a mixed bag, it's got it's good points and bad points. One of the good points is that the RoboCop franchise is back to it's old roots again meaning that the violence and satire isn't toned down.
Another thing I liked about RoboCop: Prime Directives was RoboCable, I thought the character was great. It was interesting to see RoboCop meeting his match.
The action was pretty good, it was violent and gritty like RoboCop and RoboCop 2.
The acting was okay, it's what you'd expect with a made for TV movie.
The music was okay but at times it didn't fit in with RoboCop, the overture theme is definitely catchy and I do like it but it feels like it belongs in a Western and not a Sci-fi.
One of the main problems with RoboCop: Prime Directives is the low budget, because of it the RoboCop suit does look like kind of rubbery. The visual effects also suffer because of the lack of money, it doesn't bother me too much since RoboCop: Prime Directives was a made for TV movie so you're going to expect effects like that.
Another flaw with RoboCop: Prime Directives is that at times it doesn't feel like RoboCop. The whole computer virus plot doesn't feel like it's part of RoboCop.
A minor flaw is that the actor playing RoboCop, Page Flecther is a little short for the role.
Plot:
Dark Justice:
It's been ten years after RoboCop's creation and now Delta City has became the safest place on Earth. RoboCop now considered unnecessary is feeling tired, obsolete and quasi-suicidal. His son James now an adult is working for OCP, the mega corporation that's on the verge of bankruptcy. One night RoboCop is called in to deal with a hostage situation, there he meets John T. Cable. His old partner in Metro South before he was transferred. Whilst dealing with the incident a mysterious masked vigilante called the Bone Machine shows up, damaging RoboCop and killing the leader he escapes before the police can get him. Once repaired RoboCop discovers that the Bone Machine is working for OCP, enlisting the help of Cable they try to find out the secret behind the Bone Machine which costs Cable his life.
Meltdown:
Cable is resurrected as the latest crime prevention unit, RoboCop now a fugitive is hunted down by RoboCable and a band of Robohunters.Taking shelter in old Detroit RoboCop meets a young girl who's Mother and friends are tech thieves. RoboCable eventually meets up with RoboCop and the battle of the machines rages again as RoboCop tries to make RoboCable remember who he really is. Meanwhile in OCP company executive Damian Lowe kills the entire board of directors taking over the company where he plans to use his new computer program SAINT to take control of the city's systems.
Resurrection:
After changing sides RoboCable and RoboCop are both fugitives, badly damaged after the encounter with the Robohunters RoboCop is found by the tech thieves who decide to repair him. Meanwhile RoboCable sweeps the streets eliminating the Robohunters, while being overwhelmed by a surprise attack RoboCable is saved by another tech thief named Dr. David Kaydick. Taking him to his hideout he repairs RoboCable as well as implanting a chip in his head forcing him to do what he says otherwise he'll activate it. RoboCop now repaired wants to find Cable, following a signal RoboCable finds the hideout and attacks them. The battle is interrupted by the Robohunters now lead by RoboCop's son, Kaydick kidnaps the girl who happens to be his daughter. Using her he plans to activate a powerful virus called LEGION to destroy all technology and life in the entire planet.
Crash & Burn
RoboCop, his son and the last remaining tech thief go to Delta City in an attempt to stop Kaydick from unleashing his super virus by transferring it into SANIT. Once there the ultimate battle begins as RoboCop and RoboCable fight for the final time.
Overall:
RoboCop: Prime Directives has it's flaws but it's still an alright mini-series. Check this out, it's worth a look.
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