RoboCop - Okay, but let's talk about Murphy...

So I finally got around to watching RoboCop (the original, obvi). I went in expecting a cheesy action flick, and while it definitely has those moments (ED-209 stair fail, anyone? 😂), I was surprised by how much the movie actually made me feel. Like, actually empathize with Murphy. Peter Weller's performance, especially in the pre-RoboCop scenes, is so crucial. He's got this earnest, almost childlike optimism, so you're immediately invested in him – in Alex Murphy, the person. And then... well, you know. The gas station scene. Brutal. Absolutely brutal. I almost turned it off. But honestly, it's the foundation for everything that follows. The way they show the remnants of Murphy's humanity flickering through RoboCop is what elevates the movie beyond just a shoot-em-up. The little gestures, the memories... that hand twitch when he sees his old house? Chills! I think what gets me is the disconnect. RoboCop is programmed to serve and protect, but underneath, there's this desperate struggle to reclaim his identity. The film raises some interesting questions about what it means to be human, even if it's wrapped up in a lot of '80s excess. Clarence Boddicker is an amazing villain too, but he's also completely over the top at times. It's the kind of movie where you have to forgive some of the wackier elements because of the deeper story it's trying to tell. Overall, I'm glad I watched it. Not sure if I'll be revisiting it anytime soon (that gas station... ick!), but it definitely gave me something to think about. What did you guys think of Weller's performance? Am I the only one who felt genuinely sad for Murphy?