Remaking "RoboCop" is like trying to recreate a nightmare. That's one reason why plans to remake the film were meant with mostly dubious derision: Hollywood, particularly nowadays, isn't in the business of nihilism. Post-apocalyptic films may be all the rage, but a movie about a cop's dead body shoved into a robot is a tad darker than Jennifer Lawrence running through the woods.
Directed by Jose Padilha (the Brazilian filmmaker who made the excellent documentary "Bus 174" before shifting into action with "Elite Squad"), this "RoboCop" has updated the dystopia with some clever ideas and better acting, while at the same time sanitizing any satire with video-game polish and sequel baiting. The smartest addition comes early, shifting the story to Tehran, where the global company OmniCorp has drones stopping and frisking in the streets.
