Neill Blomkamp to Direct Robocop Returns, and Badass Sci Fi Is Alright With That
Badass Sci Fi doesn’t claim to be an authority (on anything), but Badass Sci Fi knows what Badass Sci Fi likes.
In literary terms, Badass Sci Fi calls upon many influences; Frank Herbert, Dan Simmons, Isaac Asimov, Orson Scott Card, Philip K. Dick, H.P. Lovecraft, James S.A. Corey, David Wong, and Robert A. Heinlein, among others. A broad, diverse foundation.
In cinematic terms, the delineation becomes clearer. The four pillars of Badass Sci Fi would have to be Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), The Thing (1982), Aliens (1986), and Robocop (1987). Robocop and Aliens regularly duke it out for the Badass Sci Fi crown.
In the motion picture industry, remakes are inevitable. I recently spoke to the dearth of originality in Sci Fi cinema. Sooner or later, your favorite movie, no matter how hallowed or iconic, will be bastardized for a buck.
Which brings us back to Robocop. Robocop (1987) already has two direct sequels and a reboot; one good (Robocop 2- 1990), one bad (Robocop- 2014), and one ugly (Robocop 3- 1993). There have also been television series, animated series, comic books, and games.
A valiant effort has been made to besmirch poor Robocop. Case in fucking point…
Shame on you, Peter Weller. Shame on you. That’s about the worst ad campaign since the radio spot that encouraged you to put down your electronic devices and spend more time together as a family…by watching Wheel of Fucking Fortune.
But I digress.
Where was I? Oh, yeah. Neill Blomkamp is directing Robocop Returns, and Badass Sci Fi is alright with that. Lets look at his creds, reverse filmography style.
Chappie (2015)
Basically a Robocop remake itself.
Chappie and Robocop
Moose and ED-209
Yolandi and Lewis
Not to mention abandoned warehouses and corporate backstabbing. Still, the hardware’s killer, and whatever shortcomings it bears are easily overlooked in light of Blomkamp’s singular vision. Sure, it’s dorky, but Blomkamp doesn’t fuck around when it comes to violence, following right in Verhoeven’s footsteps.
Esysium (2013)
For some reason, I LOVE this movie. Many reason, actually. The effects are seamless and mind-boggling. Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Alice Braga, and William Fichtner give marvelous performances. I even like how I’m conflicted by the message. I’m all for equality, but I don’t think Elysium was built to sustain seven billion people. Just sayin’.
But far and away, the reason this movie sucks me in every time is Sharlto Copley’s turn as Agent Kruger; one of Badass Sci Fi’s most nefarious and memorable villains in recent memory.
I mean, seriously. He gets half his head blown off and still comes back to kill Jodie Foster and put a whoopin’ on Matt Damon before Matt cheats and rips Kruger’s exoskeleton out of his head.
District 9 (2009)
What can I say about this movie that hasn’t already been said? Nothing, but here’s a couple neat GIFs.
Dude gets porked.
Another one for the decapified files.
So, yeah, I’m okay with Neill Blomkamp taking the helm on Robocop Returns, especially with original Robocop co-creators Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner involved with the script.
Until next time, don’t bother me. I’m protecting my cat food from prawn.
