Betty Gabriel as Detective Cortez looking uncertainly in Upgrade
While the Robocop franchise has faltered since the first beloved movie, Upgrade provided the perfect chance for a remake. Robocop was released in 1987 and followed a hero cop, Alex Murphy , who was brutally murdered in the line of duty and resurrected as a robotic lawman.
In the hands of auteur Paul Verhoeven, Robocop takes 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. The Robocop sequels were met with much less enthusiasm, mostly due to losing Verhoeven's more satirical approach. Likewise, the 2014 Robocop remake was 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 a Robocop remake could have been. Like Robocop, Upgrade Blends Sci-Fi Ideas And Gory Action Robocop And Upgrade Also Share Tragic Heroes Close Upgrade was released in 2018 and remains one of the best sci-fi movies of the 2010s. The film follows Grey , 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 of Robocop, but that is not where the similarities end. Upgrade introduces the clever sci-fi premise only to turn into an action thriller with a surprising amount of gore.With horror veteran Leigh Whannell serving as Upgrade'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. Related 10 Sci-Fi Movies With Unbelievably Dark Endings Some of the best sci-fi movies end with unexpectedly devastating moments, leaving audiences to think about the entire story in a new light. Posts 24 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, in Upgrade'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 Close As beloved as the original is, the Robocop movies make for one of those unfortunate franchises that cannot seem to get the sequels right, along with the lackluster remake. However, Upgrade proved there were still new approaches that could be made with the franchise while still giving fans what they wanted. It is easy to see how Upgrade could have been reworked into a Robocop remake. The 2018 movie clearly draws inspiration from Robocop, and unlike the Robocop sequels, it understands that R-rated action is part of the appeal. The Robocop remake was at least less kid-oriented, but its PG-13 approach still felt dull. More importantly, the story could have maintained a lot of the commentary aspects that were present in the original Robocop. 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 smart Robocop remake could have turned things around for the struggling franchise. While there has been talk of a Robocop television show, it is unclear if that is what the franchise needs at this point. However, while it might not be an official Robocop movie, Upgrade will satisfy fans of the classic. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Upgrade R Horror Sci-Fi Action 8/10 8.2/10 Release Date June 1, 2018 Runtime 100 minutes Director Leigh Whannell Writers Leigh Whannell Cast See All
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