Let me make this quick. Has nothing to do with writing but as you know, I like to post about my favorite movies and television shows on here as much as I do about my books, because I think it’s all intertwined in the total package of Me. And dammit, this is My blog.

The new Robocop is without question one of the best – if not the best – of all the science fiction and horror remakes/reboots we’ve gotten in the last decade or so. I had expectations going in based on the many trailers that were released, and I did not walk out disappointed.

I consider myself a connoisseur of the original Robocop. It’s one of my favorite movies and I’ve seen it way more times than I could ever count. I usually write to movies playing in the background, and it’s high in the rotation, right up there with the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Alien, and Friday the 13th series(es?). Never cared much for the Paul Verhoeven-less Robocop sequels, but still, I love the first one.

I put the 2014 version right up there with it.

Now, these are two different types of films. No question. And for me, each version is superior to the other in some areas. The best way I can describe it is to say that the 1987 version was perfect for the 12-year old Aaron, and the 2014 version is perfect for the 38 year old Aaron:

1987 ROBOCOP strengths: social satire, cartoon violence, theme music, classic lines, (“Can you flyyyyyyyy, Bobby?,” “BITCHES LEAVE.”), the characters of Bob Morton and Clarence Boddicker. The 2014 version never even attempts a Clarence Boddicker-type character, which is a smart move, since there can be only one Clarence J. Boddicker.

2014 ROBOCOP strengths: political satire, human drama, action, special effects, Gary Oldman as Dr. Dennett Norton, and most surprisingly for me, Joel Kinnaman in the Alex Murphy/Robocop role. He’s better than Peter Weller. I hate to admit that, but he just is.

Robocop is in theaters right now. Go see it, okay?