Robot Jox (1990)

Take a trip down memory lane without the now overused C.G.I. The stop motion robots may seem crude, but their crunching and bashing is more believable than the cartoon-like computer generated images. Think of "Robot Jox" as sort of a cross between professional wrestling, and "Rockem Sockem Robots". The idea of settling wars with giant robot battles is a good one, and the rivalry between genetically engineered fighters and normal men is interesting. There is even an attempt at character development, as relates to the major combatants. So what you get is a sci-fi storyline that works, along with the battle visuals, which are totally acceptable for what they are. - MERK

Had to register on IMDb just so i could review this:Robo Jox is a film i came by by accident, brought in by a friend who got it as a laugh; Before i go on with the review, i should say that, if you are "normal", you will have a hard time liking this film as much as i have; this is a film for audiences who fall outside of the modern norm. Robo Jox is a Sci-Fi flic, its story turning on fights between large Mechs similar to those in the Battletech/early Macross universe; Having war been outlawed, political decisions are fought between "champions" aboard the giant robots, with the pilots held as national heroes: as the two main characters begin the film facing off to fight for supremacy over Alaska, the conflict extends beyond the fight, and the storyline is laid down. Robo Jox is not a blockbuster film: technically, it would be classed as a *B* film, with low budget and actors you have never seen before, and that is not a bad thing; No "CGI was good but wooden acting reviews here" - the acting is superb (if a little unconventional) and the direction is flawless. Of course we know both of those are free, and there is plenty that is very expensive when you make a feature-length movie, and Robo Jox has a LOT of special effects. From 1979. But nonetheless, everything that had to be built, is fantastic. Let me make this clear: i loved the movie. I absolutely loved it, and some things i loved more than other: i loved the beginning, i loved the end, and i loved that stuff in the between. I loved the sets. I loved the costumes, the scale backdrops, the whole hurtfully-good, suspense-inducing minimalism and the way everything is bound together to create a truly believable future; It felt more real than even Children of Men did.This film takes suspension of disbelief to a whole new level, and in a good way(not talking Plan 9 here); and as for creative innovation, Robo Jox singlehandedly beats down anything StarTrek TOS has ever done. If you think Transformers 2 was horrible, if you dream ( or have dreamed) of giant robots slugging it out outside the earth's atmosphere, this is the film for you; and having done away with the pathetic washed-out Hollywood actors who can't ever pretend they can do anything except step out of a hair stylist's or a Lamborghing, a solid shot of collective, joyous over-the-top character acting (a-la theatre, perhaps? or more like Bruce Willis in Die Hard?) is exactly what the doctor orders to dispel 30 years of bloody awful science fiction films.In conclusion, Robo Jox goes on my "awesome" shelf : together with Triangle (2009), The Man form Earth (2007). and a few more that i cant really remember now( although Seymour Phil Hoffman's role in Charlie Wilson's War did take the "best of" spot for a while, that film is a lil bit too serious in some parts). Truly recommended , 10/10. best of 2009

What an awful movie! The Idea of robots fighting each other is cool, but the storyline is ridiculous, real human action laughable, acting non-existent and special effects (on which, this type of movie must depend) are archaic. I thought it must have been made around '80-'84 and was amazed to see it was from 1990. That's 5 years after Aliens! OK, lots of people said it was good considering the low budget, but I just think 'what's the point?'. it looks totally unbelievable. I wouldn't mind seeing a remake with modern special effects and a completely re-written story because I still like the idea of huge robots beating crap out of each other.

This movie features a quite ridicules concept of a post WW III apocalyptic world in which wars are being outlawed (yeah right, like that will work) and instead nations let huge robots battle each other to settle disputes and to win land from each other, in stadiums with a crowd and referees and all of that. Nevertheless, because of its quite ridicules concept it also is a really pleasant movie to watch. The movie surely brings some good B-movie entertainment.Yes it's ridicules but it's also quite awesome at the same time. Seeing 2 huge robots battle each other with all kinds of different weapons and gadgets is an awesome sight and something that always speaks to the imagination of basically every guy.It's of course a big B-movie with its story and characters and all but it really isn't a bad looking movie. It's special effects, miniatures and its stop-motion effects are all quite good looking, with the exception of a couple of sequences. At least it's all better than your average "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers", like you would perhaps normally expect from a movie like this.Too bad that the action is sort of being limited. Surely from a movie with such a concept some more fireworks was to be expected. Of course this is mostly due to its quite limited budget of around ten million dollars. Nevertheless it was enough to cause the bankruptcy of its production company. Because of this it also took several years for the movie to be completed and released. When released it also wasn't a great box office success. Nevertheless a sequel got made several years later, called "Robot Wars".It isn't the best written story but its all interesting enough to hold your interest. Of course the movie is quite formulaic, which also makes it predictable but that is also sort of part of its B-movie charm. The story got written by director Stuart Gordon, who also is responsible for the similar genre movies "Fortress" and "Space Truckers", as well as the cult horror classic "Re-Animator". He currently is working on a new Re-Animator movie, called at this moment "House of Re-Animator", which he is attached to, to write and direct.It of course also doesn't feature the best actors. Most actors involved with this movie mostly played and still play in television series and not really any big blockbuster productions. Nevertheless this movie really doesn't feature the worst acting you'll ever see in a genre movie such as this one. I especially liked Paul Koslo, who goes deliciously over-the-top as the movie its very stereotypical Russian villain, with his insane, often random, laugh.Quite enjoyable for what it is.6/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/