As Collector’s Editions go from Shout Factory, this might be the weaker of the bunch (only by comparison to the others), but this RoboCop 2 does contain a few actual features including a nice audio commentary and five solid featurettes delving into the origins and making of the sequel.
RoboCop 2
— Collector’s Edition —
(1990)
Genre(s): Action, Science Fiction
Shout Factory | R – 117 min. – $34.93 | March 21, 2017
Date Published: 03/05/2017 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.5/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: RoboCop 2 pits two unstoppable cyborgs against each other in a battle to the death. When Detroit’s descent into chaos is further compounded by a police department strike and a new designer drug called “Nuke,” only RoboCop (PETER WELLER) can stop the mayhem. But in his way are an evil corporation that profits from Motor City crime and a bigger and tougher cyborg (portrayed in bad 90s facial CGI by TOM NOONAN) with a deadly directive: Take out RoboCop. Containing the latest gadgetry and weaponry as well as the mind of the madman who designed “Nuke,” this new cyborg isn’t just more sophisticated than his predecessor… he’s psychotic and out of control! And it’s going to take everything RoboCop has – maybe even his life – to save Detroit from complete and utter anarchy.
Quick Hit Review: My initial viewing of this movie some years ago, for the trilogy Blu-ray release, were less than enthusiastic. I guess time, or second viewings, changes ones thoughts as my latest viewing of RoboCop 2 I found it rather enjoyable and best of all, just all around entertaining. The action isn’t half bad and while the stop-motion effects are a bit jarring considering the advancement in VFX, there is something to admire with what the filmmakers did back then. I also really enjoyed Peter Weller’s robotic performance giving the character more definition than one would expect and one only needs to watch the third film to feel his absence (see my RoboCop 3 Blu-ray review). Irvin Kershner, best known for The Empire Strikes Back, takes the directing reigns from Paul Verhoeven and although it doesn’t have quite the biting satire of the original, there is still some to be found in this sequel with some more in-your-face comedic moments like when Robo receives hundreds of directives to make him less violent and more civic (such as reading the Miranda Rights to a dead man). Of course, this will be taken up just a few notches in the abhorrent RoboCop 3. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 4.0/5 |
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This release comes with a matted slip cover. The interior cover reveals the original poster artwork. Audio Commentary – Author/CG Supervisor Paul M. Sammon places a historical perspective on the film. Corporate Wars: The Making of RoboCop 2 (32:04; HD) – This is a new featurette that includes interviews with a variety of folks involved with the project that covers the origins of the film and the original concept. Included is some old behind-the-scenes footage. Machine Parts: The FX of RoboCop 2 (31:36; HD) examines the practical and visual effects behind the movie with more interview footage with much of the same participants. Robo-Fabricator (8:47; HD) – This shorter featurette is an interview with James Belohovek, who helped created some elements of the RoboCop suit. OCP Declassified (45:50; HD) is a lengthy archive interview with Producer Jon Davison back in 1989. Adapting Frank Miller’s RoboCop 2 (5:55; HD) is a new interview with Steven Grant, who worked with Miller. Also included:
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VIDEO – 4.5/5 |
| Shout Factory, via their Shout line, releases RoboCop 2 using a new 2K scan of the interpositive and while I don’t have my previous MGM release handy, I’d say it’s a nice improvement. Detail is halfway decent, albeit not overly sharp, but colors, including skin tones, do appear natural looking and I didn’t notice any obvious signs of artifacting, aliasing, dust marks, scratches or other flaws. |
AUDIO – 3.75/5 |
| As with most of Shout’s releases, this comes with both a 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks and either option is more than adequate but the former does provide a tad more depth but both do have crisp and clean dialogue levels. Admittedly, this was not as bombastic as I’d like particularly during the numerous action scenes, especially the finale, with my LFE channel not getting much of a workout. I’d have to check to be sure, but I’m wondering if this is the same track from the Fox/MGM release… |
OVERALL – 3.75/5 |
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Overall, as Collector’s Editions go from Shout Factory, this might be the weaker of the bunch (only by comparison to the others), but this RoboCop 2 does contain a few actual features including a nice audio commentary and five solid featurettes delving into the origins and making of the sequel. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.