Robocop (1987)

The first and best Robocop film is an attack on capitalism, privatisation and the media that puts the individual on one side of a set of broken scales and corporate profit on the other. It’s a violent comic-bookish film that isn't afraid to go to the dark places where ambition lives and daylight doesn't reach.
The Unrated Director’s Cut adds some horrifyingly guilty-fun OTT violence. Verhoven was forced to make cuts before they’d even grant him an R (18) rating! It’s a little creaky in places, but mostly it's aged well considering it's over twenty-five years old and had a modest budget to begin with.
Basil Poledouris’ Robo theme will remain in your head for days.
Melty-skin guy still gives me the wiggins; just knowing that particular scene in approaching causes anxious gut-flutters every time.

4 directives out of 5