Classic Trailer Flashback – “Robocop” (1987)
When the trailer was released for Paul Verhoeven’s crime/action thriller “Robocop” I can see where people wouldn’t know what to expect. Keep in mind this was the time when Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Norris, Bronson, and company were defining the action genre with tons of bullets, blood, and bodies. Naturally some would watch the Robocop trailer and expect the same. Bullets, blood, and bodies were aplenty (prior to the final edit the film originally received an X rating strictly for its graphic violence). But as it turned out “Robocop” had much more to say than people expected. Themes of police corruption, media manipulation, and authoritarianism among other things were clearly explored making “Robocop” more than your run-of-the-mill action flick.
Keith & the Movies 
Ah, there’s nothing like having your Miranda rights read to ya as you’re getting thrown through a window. God I love this trailer, thanks for posting
Ha! It’s a fun one right? In a way it is such a trailer of its time. So much fun to revisit.
I had never seen the trailer. I’ve seen the film but I was only 6 when the film came out and never saw the trailer. Seeing it now is kind of shocking as it was marketed as some action film when it’s really something more.
Exactly. It is a fun trailer but as you mention it is much more. You would catch any of its many themes from the trailer.
Ha ha, I reviewed this only a few weeks ago! Such a classic. So much subtext to explore, but it can also enjoyed in the most simplistic fashion if you wish. I prefer Starship Troopers for my Verhoeven fix, but RoboCop is easily his most accomplished American film.
I remember seeing Starship Troopers in the theaters and absolutely loving it. Strangely it hasn’t aged as well for me even though I do see it as having more to say that I originally did.