RoboCop – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

RoboCop

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2014

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A forgettable 2014 reboot that trades the original's satire for generic action and a shiny robot suit.

6.1/10

50%

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RoboCop

movie

PG-13, 2014

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A forgettable 2014 reboot that trades the original's satire for generic action and a shiny robot suit.

6.1

50%

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6.1/10

50%

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Screenwise Verdict

The 2014 RoboCop reboot is a textbook example of unnecessary Hollywood remakes: it smooths out the original's sharp satire, adds a shiny CGI coat, and delivers a forgettable action flick that pleases no one. The body horror of Murphy's transformation is genuinely unsettling, but the movie never commits to exploring it—instead, it rushes into generic shootouts and corporate villain monologues.

For teens 15+, it's technically watchable, but why bother when better sci-fi action exists? The themes of humanity vs. technology and corporate ethics are present but paper-thin. If your teen is curious about RoboCop, show them the 1987 original instead—it's violent and R-rated, but it actually has something to say.

This reboot sits in no-man's-land: too violent and dark for younger teens, too bland for older ones, and too uninspired for adults. The 50% RT score and 2.4/5 Letterboxd rating tell the story. Skip it.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media says 15+, and that feels right. The body horror and violence are too much for middle schoolers, and high schoolers will probably find it boring. Adults might watch out of curiosity, but it's a weak entry in the genre.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A PG-13 action film about a cop blown up and rebuilt as a cyborg. Models some family devotion (Murphy wants to see his wife and son), but the core is violent corporate cynicism and combat. Not emotionally nourishing or cooperative—it's about a man losing his humanity and fighting corruption.

Imaginative

Near-future Detroit with cyborg tech and corporate dystopia offers some sci-fi worldbuilding, but this 2014 reboot is mostly a paint-by-numbers action retread of the 1987 original. Doesn't invite creative thinking or exploration—it's a standard action plot with glossy CGI. Letterboxd 2.4/5 and 50% RT scores suggest it feels derivative and uninspired.

Safe

PG-13 action violence throughout: explosions, shootouts, a man getting blown apart (though sanitized for rating). Common Sense Media pegs it at 15+. No nudity or sex, but the opening injury and subsequent body horror (seeing Murphy's remaining organic parts) can be disturbing. Not graphic gore, but definitely not safe for younger kids to stumble into.

Enriching

Touches on themes of corporate ethics, humanity vs. technology, and free will—but in a shallow, action-movie way. The 2014 version dilutes the satirical edge of the original into generic blockbuster beats. Might spark a conversation about AI and autonomy, but it's not particularly insightful or memorable. Middling scores across the board (6.1 IMDb, 52 Metacritic) confirm it's forgettable.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Raises questions about corporate power, AI autonomy, and what makes us human—even if it doesn't dig deep
Slick visuals and action sequences for teens who like sci-fi shootouts
Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton bring some gravitas to an otherwise paint-by-numbers script
Could be a gateway to discussing the 1987 original, which is actually worth watching

⚠

What to Watch For

Opening explosion leaves Murphy's body mangled—his wife sees his charred remains, and later we see just how little of him is left (torso, lungs, head). It's sanitized but still disturbing
Lots of gun violence and action throughout—people shot, explosions, property destruction
Cynical corporate villains and moral ambiguity might feel heavy or boring for younger teens
The pacing drags and the plot is predictable—even action fans might zone out

Conversation Starters

"If you could be part-robot to save your life, would you? What would you want to keep human?"
"Do you think companies should be allowed to make decisions about people's bodies or lives?"
"Murphy struggles to feel emotions after becoming RoboCop. What makes someone 'themselves'—their body or their mind?"
"This movie is way less interesting than the 1987 version. What do you think makes a good reboot?"

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