RoboCop (1987): More Than Just a Shooter - Let's Talk About Pacing

Okay, so I finally got around to re-watching RoboCop (1987) after way too long. And man, it holds up. I think it's easy to just see it as a hyper-violent action flick, but the satire is so sharp, and the world-building is just chef's kiss. But what I REALLY wanted to talk about is how damn well-paced this film is. Seriously, from the opening news reports setting the scene of a Detroit spiraling out of control to Murphy's brutal 'death' (and subsequent rebirth), it's all so tight. Think about it. They establish the corporate dystopia right away with those ridiculously cheesy OCP commercials. Then, BOOM, we're thrown into this gritty, violent reality with Murphy and Lewis. The filmmakers don't waste any time. And Murphy's humanity slowly being stripped away and then fighting to return? That's where the movie gets REALLY good. Like that scene where he's malfunctioning and reliving his past... brilliant editing. Even Clarence Boddicker and his gang feel so organically evil, especially when they turn on each other. It isn't quite perfect, though; sometimes the effects look a bit dated, but honestly, it adds to the charm at this point. I think what gets overlooked sometimes is how the slow burn works, especially when you have the contrast of the news reports going on in the background. From the get-go, and even with the excessive violence, they've managed to create something that manages to have suspense, an intelligent plot, and social commentary. Think about it, the slow way robocop starts to remember who he was before, the build up to the final confrontation, everything has this sense of impending doom, but also hope that manages to have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Ultimately, RoboCop isn't just a kick-ass cyborg movie (though it IS that); it's a masterclass in pacing and setting up a compelling story, even if the plot is simplistic. Definitely worth revisiting, especially if you're into analyzing structure and world-building. What are your favorite scenes? I'm curious to hear what stuck with you guys!