Two Robocop Reviews from 1987

I told you guys that those Google newspaper archives are fabulous fun. From the same newspaper issue that gave us yesterday’s Robocop and Predator ad comes two reviews of the original Robocop movie (Amazon.com search*). Is it wrong that my very first thought was that I should compare these reviews to reviews of the recent Robocop remake? That probably wouldn’t be fair at all; we all know the remake is a weak film where the original was a masterpiece of violence and brutal satire.

The first review, by Jack Matthews of the Los Angeles Times Service, gets the featured spot on the page and is the longer of the two reviews. Matthews starts off a little harsh with:

“It sounds like something made up for a line of Garbage Pail transformer toys, like RoboRocker, RoboHunk, or Reek the RoboHobo. Wind them up and watch them flash and clank.”

It soon turns out, though, that Matthews is a fan. His review speaks of the promotion put into the film, and a part of the work even speaks of the licensing deals that were made surrounding the film. (Kenner isn’t mentioned by name, but the Robocop toys are just one of several licenses listed in the article.)

Next up we get a review from a newspaper staffer, Mike McLane. McLane isn’t subtle at all and launches into his short review with words that will make all of you smile:

RoboCop is the best cinema superhero to come along since Superman, and “RoboCop” (rated R at the Plaza) is one of the best thrillers to come along [sic] quite some time.

Click the above image to see both articles, or see the entire issue here. Now do you believe me that these newspaper archives are great?

Related articles

• “Top toys of the holiday season” in 1995 (battlegrip.com)
• 1988 Kenner Robocop and Robo 1 Toy Commercial (battlegrip.com)
• “You Put Robo-Copter Together!” (battlegrip.com)