The 2014 reboot of Robocop borrows a lot of elements from the original 1987 cult-classic, although there are some striking differences. While the new film does give Robocop some sweet technological upgrades with which to take down the criminals of future Detroit (e.g. Robocycle, retractable visor), it doesn't, in our opinion, take things far enough to make this version seem all that "new." This is a cop of the future, after all.
And so, provided the film does well enough at the box office to warrant a sequel, we have proposed a few movie-centric tech upgrades we'd like to see Robocop get in the sequel. Read on for our choices.
Rocket Boosters - Iron Man
While no filmmaker on Robocop will admit it, the design of this 2014 version shares a lot in common with Iron Man. From the retractable visor to the sound effects, Robocop is basically Iron Man without the rocket boosters…and Jarvis (more on that in a bit). So...why doesn't he have rocket boosters?
As a billion-dollar project, Robocop should have the most efficient form of travel, not an archaic, but still cool-looking, motorcycle. He should be able to patrol the ground and the skies with the same efficiency of the unmanned drones in the film. Granted, such an upgrade will require a lager budget for Robocop 2, but that's what sequels are all about anyway: upping the ante. We say embrace the similarities, and go full Iron Man.
Customizable Armor - Transformers
Okay, bear with us on this one. We're not trying to say that Robocop should be fully transformable a la Optimus Prime, but if he could adapt his suit to certain needs, that would make him a better combatant - it would also make for action sequences that are more exciting to watch onscreen. We think Robocop's design is limited by the fact that he needs to look like a human - but it doesn't need to be.
If, for example, a robotic hand won't get the job done, then perhaps Robocop's arm can, for lack of a better term, transform into something like the power loader's arm from Aliens. Or if Robocop needs to get somewhere fast (and he doesn't already have rocket boosters) maybe he is the motorcycle. Too silly? We say, too awesome.
Cloaking - Predator
Although Robocop is, at his most basic, a civil servant, it couldn't hurt if he was a little stealthier. Sure, the black armor helps Robocop stand out a little less, but what about taking things a step further? What if in the sequel Robocop has some form of tactical camouflage? He's already 95% robot, so it stands to reason that there could be an additional covering for Robocop's face and mouth to make him completely invisible…in certain circumstances of course.
That way, Robocop can minimize conflicts and arrest criminals without actually broadcasting his whereabouts. As it stands, he's like one big wrecking ball barreling down the streets of Detroit. Now imagine him as the Predator, stalking unsuspecting criminals using the tactical camo built into his suit.
Better Weapons - Dredd
Yes, most know Robocop as the gun-toting cyborg policeman, but his arsenal could certainly use a 21st century upgrade. Rather than a taser gun and a sub-machine gun, we'd like to see Robocop brandishing futuristic weaponry. It doesn't have to be something like the rail gun from Eraser – although that could certainly work – but rather a series of useful tools that give Robocop an advantage.
He could use mini drones for back up, Fringe's amber to restrain criminals - or any number of James Bond-esque gadgets - anything that makes Robocop seem more like a cop of the future. Even something as basic as Judge Dredd's gun from Dredd, where bullets are only one piece of the arsenal. The criminals of future Detroit might use bullets, but that doesn't mean Robocop has to.
Superior A.I. - Almost Human
To be fair, Robocop does run "simulations" of his current situation in the reboot, but those simulations don't seem to help him in any appreciable way. Rather than just highlight where enemies are in an environment, which his current simulations do, it would be cool to see Robocop calculate his various options as far as engaging criminals. Then once he has calculated every possible scenario, Robocop could choose the best based on success rate, casualty percentage, etc.
In other words, we would like to see some A.I. implementations in Robocop that are closer in concept to Terminator - or more recently Dorian from Almost Human. Superior A.I. routines could go a long way towards making Robocop not just a more efficient cop, but less of a blunt object. In the reboot he is a far cry from what we would call subtle or efficient.
Honorable Mentions
There you have it, a few upgrades we'd like to see Robocop get in the sequel. On a less serious (wait, was this serious?) note, here are a few potential, sillier upgrades for Robocop 2:
Twitter Updates - #yourecomingwithme
Inspector Gadget-style Equipment – "Go Go Gadget Search Warrant!"
Drink Dispenser – Like a walking Coca Cola Freestyle machine
T-1000's Liquid Metal – Why not just cut to the chase?
What upgrades would you like to see Robocop receive in the sequel? Let us know in the comments below
Also make sure to read our review of Robocop (2014) to find out whether we think the film is deserving of a sequel.
Follow Anthony on Twitter @ANTaormina
maybe every police officer should have a robocop partner almost human style and the police officers have dredd style guns and armor.