TV Review: 'Robodoc: The Creation of RoboCop' (2023)

Dominic Hastings

Oct 2

Stars: Edward Neumeier, Michael Miner, Paul Sammon Director: Eastwood Allen, Christopher Griffiths Distributor: Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment

"Peter was a pussy hound."

With its satirical edge and graphic notoriety, RoboCop is one of the most unique sci-fi-action films of all-time. But we already knew that. Paul Verhoeven is a uniquely wild director. But we already knew that, too. In RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop, directors Eastwood Allen and Christopher Griffiths dive deep and explore the finest of details behind the 1987 classic, with contributions from more or less every major player and practitioner.

Split across four episodes, ultimately clocking towards the five hour mark, the first episode - as one would expect - explores the origins of RoboCop. Initially guided by the creativity and experiences from co-writers Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner, the debut episode perfectly executes the retelling of RoboCop from its days in pre-production and development, and initial production.

Into episodes two and three, RoboDoc is absolutely bulking with glorious RoboCop content. Episode two begins with the infamous Clarence Boddicker gang, with in-depth contributions from all gang members from Kurtwood Smith to Steve Minh. Carrying on from episode one, the honest brutality from every contributor is mesmerising. There was clearly a strict code of being as explicit and open as possible, leaving the propaganda to one side. From Verhoeven himself to S.D. Nemeth ("I'd buy that for a dollar!"), the recollection of honest, first hand experiences from this iconic movie and its production, is wildly entertaining, but importantly insightful, too.

Between episodes two and three, once the main body of RoboCop is in full exploration, there doesn't feel to be a strict linear flow with its retellings, which can sometimes be a little disorientating as RoboDoc jumps from one aspect to another. But like episode one, the concluding episode four has a stricter, more disciplined flow as the conclusions of RoboCop, followed by the legacy of the film, are presented in great detail.

The attention to detail across all four episodes is out of this world. Such varying retellings and details are present, RoboDoc can bounce between a hilarious existence, but also a film history class with its close-ups of 1986/87 genre filmmaking. Fans will appreciate the amount of time and effort placed into this documentary series. There is a wholesome, fan-based ambiance throughout. All of the contributors are so positive about RoboCop, everyone comes across as a fan. For an expose on a glorious violent film, this docu-series is extremely feel-good.

Ultimately, RoboDoc is magnificent in its existence as both a documentary series on RobCop and filmmaking itself. A B-Movie picture with the quality of a blockbuster, RoboCop is not only a definitive classic of its era, but it is also a timeless classic, always able to be reborn and seek new life amongst new fans. A perfect documentary for a perfect film.

RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop is available now to stream on Icon Film Channel, followed by a Collector's Edition Blu-ray release on 18th December. Many thanks to Strike Media and Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment for the pleasure of this series.