Robocop - C+

Rated PG-13, 121 minutes

Joel Kinnaman is the new Robocop

Cast and visuals save this run-of-the-mill version of "Robocop"

Biggest question with the new, long-delayed and long-awaited "Robocop" remake, does it match the original 1987 film? No it doesn't. It's not as smart and lacks the gritty playfulness of that Dallas-filmed sci-fi classic from Paul Verhoeven. Yet, with an A-list cast and a big budget, it has added some nice touches, particularly with the visuals, and manages to provide some enjoyable moments. In 2028, multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology, making billions from using drones overseas but prevented to do so in the U.S. from national laws. To circumvent these laws, OmniCorp CEO Raymond Sellars (Michael Keaton) has his marketing team, in conjunction with scientist Dr. Dennett Norton (Gary Oldman), create a new law enforcement product by combining human and machine, using the mind of critically injured Detroit cop Alex Murphy (Swedish actor Joel Kinnaman, of the TV show "The Killing"). The new "Robocop" is bound for comparisons with the original 1987 film,  though in fact it's a vastly different film, a standard, run-of-the-mill action film geared more for the masses than that original film. Directed by Brazilian director Jose Padilha, this version seems a tad watered down and soulless compared with the '80s version, and the script is downright weak. But the sharp, if not loud, visuals crackle and pop with energy, and once the blandish Kinnaman puts on that shiny Robocop suit, it puts some life into a film that nearly goes wrong in many ways. Plus, it's nice seeing Keaton back playing a slimeball CEO and Oldman (interestingly both of whom have played in both sets of "Batman" films) in the scientist-with-a-heart role, and they have a couple of nice scenes together. The family melodrama and its politics, featuring Samuel L. Jackson as essentially a black Bill O' Reilly, seem misplaced here, and it's obvious that this "Robocop" works best when he's hunting down the bad guys. Sure, on that note it leans toward the dumber side, taking itself a little too seriously at times, but this "Robocop" still emerges a modestly entertaining sci-fi action film. This may disappoint fans of the original version, but the impressive cast and visuals save it from being a complete waste, and audiences should turn out at least in the short term for curiosity.

Wes's Grade: C+