Viewed in
2009
Premise
In a futuristic Detroit, a cop left for dead becomes a cyborg law enforcer.
Who should watch
Anyone who loves 1980's action movies.
Thoughts
In spite of it being an '80's movie, it was interesting.
What impressed me the most was the little social commentaries. I was shocked that the story foretold a world of over sized vehicles (touting 8.2 MPG's!) and contractors running the military and law enforcement.
Some of the science fiction ideas still held up, such as computer programs, GPS devices and computer technology.
What bugged me the most was that it suffered the symptoms of a typical 1980's action flick. Each dialogue was labored, as the movie makers crammed every R-rated cuss word into every line. There were as many F and S bombs as exploding blood packets.
Some parts were amusing. I thought it captured that '80's power business suit atmosphere authentically. Since this was my first time watching, I shouted 'That's the dad from "That 70's Show"!', instead of the inverse. Lastly, I was mad that I did not recognize the ethereal synthesizers of Basil Poledouris ('Hunt for Red October').
The stop motion robot soldiers were no better than the skeleton warriors of 'Jason and the Argonauts'. On the other hand, the animatronics were very impressive for its time.
While it was an smart science fiction buried under by action, I could understand the appeal this movie had on friends of my generation.
What I would change
Less cussing and blood packets. But then it would not be a quintessential 1980's movie, now, would it?
