History Film / Robocop1987

* PinPullingTeeth: Clarence starts a futuristic timer grenade like this, while playing [[spoiler:Dick's]] recorded message to Bob.

* ShoutOut: The catchphrase "I'll buy '''that''' for a dollar!" from the ShowWithinAShow ''It's Not My Problem'' is a homage to the idiot's TV-derived catchphrase from the dystopic SF novel ''The Marching Morons'', updated for inflation. Originally: "I'd buy '''that''' for a quarter!"

* GoodNightSweetPrince: Painfully parodied by one of Boddicker's goons.

* BarrierBustingBlow: [=RoboCop=] punches through a wall to grab the disgruntled worker holding the mayor hostage.

* BigEntrance: The producers were concerned that a simple open entrance could make [=RoboCop=] look silly. Instead, Verhoeven had Robo's entrance teased out. [=RoboCop=] is delivered by a transport convoy. The support staff comes in first, and as the desk officer protests to Moron, he is suddenly silenced by the sound of heavy mechanical footsteps of something non-human walking into the station, barely visible behind frosted glass. We follow this up with teasing looks of the thing that become more and more revealing until you are eagerly following the running cops through the halls trying to get a good look at this thing. At the end, you get to see [=RoboCop=] towering in his maintenance chair and looking completely kickass.

* BoomHeadshot: Murphy dies after getting shot in the head (which, after getting several of his limbs blown off and shot multiple times, is almost a MercyKill).

* BrickJoke: Early on the film when [=RoboCop=] is first revealed to the rest of the police department, it's explained that [=RoboCop=] eats a "rudimentary paste that sustains his organic systems". The OCP exec Donald Johnson tries some and comments that it "tastes like baby food". Later in the film, when [=RoboCop=] is hiding out at the steel mill waiting for Boddicker to show up, Lewis brings him his gun, a cordless drill, and several jars of baby food to eat.
** One that can only be found in the script: when Dick Jones's EngineeredPublicConfession is exposed by [=RoboCop=] at the end of the film, the script comments that "having your cover blown is almost the worst thing that can happen to a Corporate Animal." A few lines later, after Jones gets [[DestinationDefenestration blasted out the window]], the script comments that "this is probably the worst thing that can happen to a Corporate Animal."

* DestinationDefenestration: [[spoiler:Jones']] death. After holding the president of OCP hostage, he's blown out the window by [=RoboCop=] and plummets to the ground. There's also the hostage-taker at City Hall earlier in the movie, though [=RoboCop=] just grabs him and throws him out.

* DramaticUnmask: Robo removing his helmet. "You may not like what you're going to see."

** However, the whole Jones/Boddicker/Morton subplot serves a storytelling purpose, specifically the GreyAndGrayMorality question of responsibility for Murphy's death, in a very neat way. Boddicker carries the ultimate blame as the man who did the deed, Dick Jones as Boddicker's paymaster is the BigBad behind the crimewave Murphy was responding to at the beginning of the story - but it is heavily implied if not outright stated - that Bob Morton himself carries a significant share of the responsibility by placing Murphy in the firing line in the first place (having identified him as a possible candidate for the [=RoboCop=] program and transferring him to the most dangerous precinct in the city). By having Jones order Boddicker to kill Morton, the writers essentially ensure that everyone directly responsible for Murphy's death is dead themselves by the end of the movie, without having to answer the morality question outright.

* GangstaStyle: One of Boddicker's mooks holds up a gas station by holding a SMG this way.

** You're trying to take down a would-be rapist who's holding his victim hostage. He's using her as a human shield. What do you do? Shoot between the ''hostage's'' legs and neuter the guy.

* GunsAkimbo: Subverted, as human Murphy tries to shoot up the Boddicker gang's panel truck this way and fails spectacularly.

* BiggerIsBetter: Advertised in the commercial for the 6000 SUX, a ar which has reclining leather seats, goes really fast [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and gets really shitty gas mileage]].

* BigEntrance: The producers were concerned that a simple open entrance could make [=RoboCop=] look silly. Instead, Verhoeven had Robo's entrance teased out. [=RoboCop=] is delivered by a transport convoy. The support staff comes in first, and as the desk officer protests to Moron, he is suddenly silenced by the sound of heavy mechanical footsteps of something non-human walking into the station, barely visible behind frosted glass. We follow this up with teasing looks of the thing that become more and more revealing until you are eagerly following the running cops through the halls trying to get a good look at this thing. At the end, you get to see [=RoboCop=] towering in his maintenance chair and looking completely kickass.

* AllCrimesAreEqual: ED-209 advanced dangerously on [=RoboCop=] for being illegally parked on private property at the end of the film. ([[spoiler:Not that it worked out that well for him on this occasion.]])

* ArtMajorPhysics: In the scene where [=RoboCop=] stops his first robbery by bending the barrel of the hood's gun while the criminal is holding it, the goon would have to have been strong enough to bend it himself to keep the gun in his hands. In other words, Robo would still have disarmed the creep, just not as spectacularly.

* BathroomStallOfOverheardInsults: Bob Morton insults his boss in the bathroom [[RightBehindMe only to discover he's been listening in the cubicle all along.]]

* BigEntrance: The producers were concerned that a simple open entrance could make the title character look silly. Instead, Verhoeven had Robo's entrance teased out with his support crew coming first, and as the Desk Sgt. protests, he is suddenly silenced by the sound of heavy mechanical footsteps of some figure entering the station, barely visible through frosted glass. That is followed by teasing looks that become more and more revealing until you are eagerly following the running cops through the halls trying to get a good look at this thing. At the end, you get to see [=RoboCop=] towering in his maintenance chair and looking completely kickass.

** The unlucky junior executive who gets killed during the demonstration of ED-209 is shot over and over with blood spraying everywhere until he's DeaderThanDead. One of the board members calls for a paramedic anyway.

** The first time Robo takes his helmet off, he says to his partner: "You may not like what you are about to see." Murphy's face is the only visible organic part of him, and from the looks of his head, has been ''grafted'' onto a completely synthetic skull.

** Murphy getting shredded apart by shells and bullets in the first part of the film.

** One that can only be found in the script: when Dick Jones's EngineeredPublicConfession is exposed by Robo at the end of the film, the script comments that "having your cover blown is almost the worst thing that can happen to a Corporate Animal." Soon, after Jones gets [[DestinationDefenestration blasted out the window]], the script comments that "this is probably the worst thing that can happen to a Corporate Animal."

-->"I had to kill Bob Morton because he made a mistake. Now it's time to erase that mistake. I had to kill Bob Morton because he made a mistake. Now it's time to erase that mistake..."

* ClusterFBomb: The convenience store robber, upon [=RoboCop=]'s entrance: "Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me!

* DeadpanSnarker: The hostage negotiator.
-->'''Miller:''' "How about cruise control? Does it come with cruise control?"\\
'''Lt. Hedgecock:''' "Hey, no problem, Miller. You let the Mayor go, we'll even throw in a Blaupunkt."
* DestinationDefenestration: [[spoiler:Jones']] death. After holding the president of OCP hostage, he's blown out the window by [=RoboCop=] and plummets to the ground.

** One found only in the script: when Dick Jones's EngineeredPublicConfession is exposed by Robo at the end of the film, the script comments, "Having your cover blown is almost the worst thing that can happen to a Corporate Animal." Soon, after Jones gets [[DestinationDefenestration blasted out the window]], the script comments, "This is probably the worst thing that can happen to a Corporate Animal."

-->"Hahaha! I'd buy that for a dollar!"

** Involving ED-209, which is a heavily armed MiniMecha. An OCP executive, Kinney, is asked to simulate a "typical arrest and disarming procedure" during a board meeting.

(Kinney drops the Desert Eagle.)\\
'''ED-209:''' [[{{Unwinnable}} You now have fifteen seconds to comply]].\\
(Kenny, understandably, freaks out.)

* ReadingYourRights: [=RoboCop=] catches Boddicker, and reads him his rights while repeatedly [[WindowPain tossing him through windows]]. In the commentary, the crew confess that they were terrified that real-world cops would react badly to that scene. They did a test screening and it was a roaring success. Boddicker being an AssholeVictim probably helped.

* ShoutOut: The catchphrase "I'll buy that for a dollar" from the ShowWithinAShow ''It's Not My Problem'' is a homage to the idiot's TV-derived catchphrase from the dystopic SF novel ''The Marching Morons'', updated for inflation. Originally: "I'd buy that for a quarter!" [[note]]The star of the show, Bixby Snyder, is possibly a homage to Creator/BennyHill. Or a parody. In a supposedly-filmed scene, there's one final newscast where the newsreaders announce that Snyder has been arrested for receiving sexual favours from underaged co-stars.[[/note]]

* SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay: Lewis realizes that [=RoboCop=] is Alex Murphy when she sees him performing the gun-spin move he learned from the ''T.J. Lazer'' television show during a demonstration at the precinct's shooting range.
** Also, Emil figures out that [=RoboCop=] is the cop they killed when he unknowingly repeats the same line he said the first time he tried to arrest him.

** Kinney's death at the demonstration. Poor guy was more lead than flesh by the time they shut ED-209 down. In the Director's cut, ED [[NoKillLikeOverkill continually blasts Kenney's lifeless corpse as it lies on the table.]]
** Murphy's death.

* WhatYouAreInTheDark: Murphy beats up Boddicker almost to the point of death, but when Boddicker screams at him "You're a cop, goddamnit!", Murphy realizes what he's doing, calms down and says "Yes...I am a cop", and arrests him instead.

* NukeEm: Get them before they get you! Another quality home game from Butler Brothers!

* WhatYouAreInTheDark: Murphy beats up Boddicker almost to the point of death, but when Boddicker thinks he's going to kill him, he remembers his directives and arrests him instead.

** The unknown 4th Directive, along with [=RoboCop=]'s computer jack that takes on the form of a spike emerging from his fist which he uses to [[spoiler:dispatch Boddicker]].

* ImprobableAimingSkills: Justified in that Robo's are all software. The human Murphy empties four magazines at a speeding panel truck and only manages to hit with one round. When the software craps out after Robo's run-in with Directive 4, he's right back to being unable to hit the broad side of a barn, and Lewis has to help him reprogram himself.

* TechMarchesOn: Played straight and averted. The DPD Records Department apparently still stores everything on reel-to-reel tape, and the one human-usable computer not sitting in a rack features a painfully slow and kludgy GUI. Over at OCP, we have the giant wall o' monitors in the board room, all of which are [=CRTs=]; the media center sports a VHS player. On the other hand, as shown by the playing of Dick's final taunts to Rob as he died, [=CDs=] (or similarly designed [=DVDs=]) do seem to have become the norm of visual media.

* IJustShotMarvinInTheFace: During the ShootingGallery scene that introduces Robocop's ImprobableAiming skills with his [[CoolGun Auto9]], Lewis steps forward on the range. In any RealLife shooting range, this is a huge violation of gun safety and would get her kicked off the range and her gun taken away.

* DrugsAreBad: The scene in the drug factory is almost painfully 80s, what with the close-up shots of [=RoboCop=]'s metallic feet [[{{Anvillicious}} trampling on the vials of cocaine]] as he blows away bad guys.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: [[spoiler:Dick Jones]] and his Directive 4. [[spoiler: Since he is the "number 2 guy around here," he tries to take the one guy who could terminate him hostage. "Dick, you're fired!" takes on a whole new meaning.]]

* {{Cyberpunk}}: One of the [[TropeCodefier defining examples.]]
** CyberpunkIsTechno: Much of the soundtrack blends traditional orchestral music with electronic music and synthesizers.

* WeWillUseWikiWords: The title of the film and the name of the protagonist himself is styled ''[=RoboCop=]''.

After Murphy is pronounced dead, OCP takes his remains and effectively resurrects him as the NighInvulnerable cyborg police officer Franchise/RoboCop. His mind is [[LaserGuidedAmnesia supposedly wiped]], but signs indicate that the wipe job wasn't perfect. When Murphy ''does'' start looking for revenge against his killers, he discovers that top OCP executive Dick Jones is connected to Boddicker -- and that Jones has meddled with Murphy's programming to ensure his own survival.

* BarrierBustingBlow: [=RoboCop=] punches through a wall to grab Boddicker.

* MadeOfPlasticine: Emil splats reeeaaal good after being softened by a bath in a vat of toxic waste.

* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler:Bob Morton]] . Interestingly, the filmmakers revealed in the audio commentary that audiences actually seemed to feel ''sorry'' for him when [[spoiler:Boddiker showed up and killed him rather viciously]].

* ClusterFBomb: The convenience store robber, upon [=RoboCop=]'s entrance: "Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me!"

* DramaticUnmask: Robo removing his. "You may not like what you're going to see."
* EngineeredPublicConfession: "I had to kill Bob Morton because he made a mistake. Now it's time to erase that mistake." This ends up [[spoiler:biting Dick Jones in the ass.]] What makes this particularly stupid on his part is that he knows ''damn well'' [=RoboCop=] is capable of recording everything he says (he even bitches out ''Boddicker'' for telling [=RoboCop=] about his involvement in the first place), but he didn't expect him to survive his ensuing fight with ED-209, the SWAT team and Boddicker's gang.

* ImprovisedWeapon: The data jack comes in handy later in the film.

* LuddWasRight: Although one cop wonders if [=RoboCop=] was built to replace them, the trope is ultimately averted with the cops accepting him as an asset on their side, such as being a big tough trooper who can safely draw criminals' fire while his regular comrades can maneuver for position to flank them.

** Involving ED-209, which is a heavily armed MiniMecha. An OCP executive, Kenny, is asked to simulate a "typical arrest and disarming procedure" during a board meeting.
--->'''ED-209:''' Put down your weapon. You have twenty seconds to comply.\\

(Kenny drops the Desert Eagle.)\\

* OutOfTheInferno: [=RoboCop=] walking out of the exploded gas.

* RecklessGunUsage: All over the place. It's not surprising that the ED-209 malfunctioned and killed an unarmed civilian if it's built by a corporation that's stupid enough to a) do a demonstration with its cannons fully loaded and b) give a loaded handgun to a guy who doesn't know how to use it, who then throws it on the floor.

* RidiculouslyHumanRobots: People are lead to believe [=RoboCop=] is completely robotic.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Main plot of the movie.

** Kinney's death at the demonstration. Poor guy was more lead than flesh by the time they shut ED-209 down. In the Director's cut, ED continually blasts Kenney's lifeless corpse as it lies on the table.

* WelcomeToHell: Murphy gets this as a welcome to the precinct.

* YouCantGoHomeAgain: As [=RoboCop=], Murphy visits his old home and discovers his family no longer lives there, and it's planned to be turned into a model housing development.

** Kinney's death at the. Poor guy was more lead than flesh by the time they shut ED-209 down. In the Director's cut, ED continually blasts Kenney's lifeless corpse as it lies on the table.

* BigEntrance: The producers were concerned that a simple open entrance could make the title character look silly. Instead, Verhoeven had Robo's entrance teased out with first with his support crew coming and as the Desk Sgt. protests, he is suddenly silenced by the sound of heavy mechanical footsteps of some figure entering the station, barely visible through frosted glass. That is followed by teasing looks that become more and more revealing until you are eagerly following the running cops through the halls trying to get a good look at this thing. At the end, you get to see [=RoboCop=] towering in his maintenance chair and looking completely kickass.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: [[spoiler:Dick Jones]] and his Directive 4. [[spoiler :Since he is the "number 2 guy around here," he tries to take the one guy who could terminate him hostage. "Dick, you're fired!" takes on a whole new meaning.]]

''[=RoboCop=]'' is a classic satirical science fiction action film from 1987.

After Murphy is pronounced dead, OCP takes his remains and effectively resurrects him as the NighInvulnerable cyborg police officer [=RoboCop=]. His mind is [[LaserGuidedAmnesia supposedly wiped]], but signs indicate that the wipe job wasn't perfect. When Murphy ''does'' start looking for revenge against his killers, he discovers that top OCP executive Dick Jones is connected to Boddicker -- and that Jones has meddled with Murphy's programming to ensure his own survival.

* AllCrimesAreEqual: ED-209 advanced dangerously on [=RoboCop=] for being illegally parked on private property at the end of the first film. ([[spoiler:Not that it worked out that well for him on this occasion.]])

* {{BFG}}: Boddicker and crew eventually are supplied with the Cobra Assault Cannon. The props were built from Barrett Model 82 .50 caliber rifles, and they're quite explosive. They use the Cobra against [=RoboCop=] in the first movie, and he takes one after they're defeated and uses it to blow up the ED-209 in front of OCP's headquarters.

* FanserviceExtra: Twice in the first movie. Apparently cops in the future have co-ed locker rooms. Later on, when [=RoboCop=] goes into a club to collect Leon, a woman is seen dancing topless.

* AndIMustScream: One of the scenes where we see RoboCop's creation from his point of view. We see Bob Morton and Donald Johnson, the first complaining because the scientists saved Murphy's left arm and after being asked if RoboCop understands what they're saying, he replies that [[MemoryWipingCrew it doesn't matter as they're going to wipe his memory anyway.]] This is followed by Morton asking Johnson if he thinks they'd remove the arm, to which he replies they can do whatever they want to him as he's legally dead. The scene finally ends with Morton ordering to remove the left arm and Murphy/Robo being shut down for surgery.

* ArmorPiercingQuestion: In the Miranda rights scene, Robocop throws Boddicker through numerous plate-glass windows, intent on hurting him or killing him. Boddicker confesses Jones' involvement in the plot, but Robocop keeps going. Boddicker finally gets Robo to stop by saying "You're a cop!", reminding Robo that his first duty is to the law. Robocop stops his RoaringRampageOfRevenge and arrests Boddicker instead.
* ArtMajorPhysics: In the scene where Robocop stops his first robbery by bending the barrel of the hood's gun while the criminal is holding it, the goon would have to have been strong enough to bend it himself to keep the gun in his hands. In other words, Robo would still have disarmed the creep, just not as spectacularly.

* BigEntrance: The producers were concerned that a simple open entrance could make the title character look silly. Instead, Verhoeven had Robo's entrance teased out with first with his support crew coming and as the Desk Sgt. protests, he is suddenly silenced by the sound of heavy mechanical footsteps of some figure entering the station, barely visible through frosted glass. That is followed by teasing looks that become more and more revealing until you are eagerly following the running cops through the halls trying to get a good look at this thing. At the end, you get to see Robocop towering in his maintenance chair and looking completely kickass.

** However, the whole Jones/Boddicker/Morton subplot serves a storytelling purpose, specifically the GreyAndGrayMorality question of responsibility for Murphy's death, in a very neat way. Boddicker carries the ultimate blame as the man who did the deed, Dick Jones as Boddicker's paymaster is the BigBad behind the crimewave Murphy was responding to at the beginning of the story - but it is heavily implied if not outright stated - that Bob Morton himself carries a significant share of the responsibility by placing Murphy in the firing line in the first place (having identified him as a possible candidate for the RoboCop program and transferring him to the most dangerous precinct in the city). By having Jones order Boddicker to kill Morton, the writers essentially ensure that everyone directly responsible for Murphy's death is dead themselves by the end of the movie, without having to answer the morality question outright.

* LuddWasRight: Although one cop wonders if Robocop was built to replace them, the trope is ultimately averted with the cops accepting him as an asset on their side, such as being a big tough trooper who can safely draw criminals' fire while his regular comrades can maneuver for position to flank them.

** Emil at the gas station. When Robocop uses the "dead or alive" speech, Emil is surprised to hear that from a cop again and figures out who the new cop is.

* RidiculouslyHumanRobots: People are lead to believe Robocop is completely robotic.

* ShootTheHostageTaker: Robocop shoots between the hostage's legs to hit the hostage taker in the groin.

* SpitefulSpit: When Robocop tells Clarence that he has the right to remain silent, he spits on his visor. When he is brought to the station he takes another spit on Sgt. Reed's desk.
* StunnedSilence: During the gas station robbery scene when Emil recognizes him as Murphy. Robocop is so shocked he just stands in place replaying his recording of it and doesn't even react to Emil shooting at him.
-->'''Robocop''': Drop it! [[SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay Dead or alive, you're coming with me.]]\\

* TheyCallMeMisterTibbs: The film ends with RoboCop telling "The Old Man" his name is Murphy. By the end of the third film, he gets this way with what's left of OCP.
-->'''RoboCop''': My friends call me Murphy. You call me RoboCop.

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