Robot Jox (1990)

Directed by Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator), ROBOT JOX reveals a world where nations settle their territorial disputes by a single combat between two giant machines. Piloted by national heroes Achilles (Gary Graham, TV's Alien Nation) and Alexander (Paul Koslo, Shadowchaser), the robots meet in Death Valley to fight for the greatest prize of all: Alaska. But when Achilles' machine crushes 300 spectators, the match ends in a draw. Refusing to face Alexander in a rematch, Achilles is replaced by Athena (Anne-Marie Johnson, TV's Melrose Place), a genetically-engineered combat fighter. So when the GenJox is nearly killed and the game is forfeited, Achilles avenges their honor by challenging Alexander to a winner-take-all death match, in this heavy-metal, sci-fi adventure.

Rock'em, Sock'em Robots on serious steroids.

Big robots duking it out to solve the world's problems.

Second rate production values, passable script. Meh, I could watch every couple of years. Goofy fun.

E.M. Van Court September 22, 2008

Not So Bad

I remember watching this movie back in the early 90s. It was one of my favorites. I bought the movie on DVD about a year ago and watched it again for the first time in years. First thing you notice is the cheesy sets. Oddly enough I still enjoyed watching the show. The fights with the mechs are great to watch for an old school sci-fi fan. This was before CGI was popular, so it leaves a lot to the imagination. I liked the story, the acting wasn't bad at all. Its definitely a classic in my collection. June 24, 2008

excellent

This product was dellivered in the condition described by the seller, would deffinately use again! May 19, 2008

childhood Favorite

I remember renting this on VHS as a kid with my brother. It was awesome back then and is almost equally awesome now. Except this time it funnier than it used to be.

although, it's not supposed to be funny... oh well, I like corny or just plain bad movies anyway. Most people may not like it but It's still on of my favs to watch when nothing else is on t.v.

**this may be a spoiler. it doesn't give away the plot or ending but it does get you paying attention to the actors instead of the characters**
Oh and when you watch it, check out the fight is Achilles' bedroom toward the end. when the chick throws a roundhouse kick... notice something funny about her? a beard maybe? and unexpected bulge in the nether region? there's more but that one was the most blatant switcheroo I've ever seen.

This is a sweet movie for anyone to see. owning it though... maybe not. February 19, 2008

Professional Wrestling with Giant Robots

That's what this film is. Very much something along the lines of modern professional wrestling, complete with the "behind the scenes" conflicts and romances, the gym/training sequences, and the interviews, trash-talking, and the "sports commentary" that goes along with it, as well as the relatively ineffectual referees.

This is the mindset, and for the story (which isn't supposed to be taken seriously), it actually works. But because they use Giant Robots, there are matters of technological advances and industrial espionage to deal with, along with some nice touches that flesh out this future world where meat is scarce, childbirth encouraged, new jocks are disintered from test-tubes, and pollution is rampant. However, the final scene was both poignant and ironic at the same time, as we see just how little Man has advanced from the time he was fighting with rocks and sticks.

This movie was made before the ready availability of CGI, so remote controlled marionettes, and stop-motion puppets are used for the giant robots with good effect and actually offers up a good look at the old art of SPFX before the advent of the modern CGI-effects factory. The SPFX are adequate for the film albeit you can tell that this was done on a budget; but the script by Joe Haldeman (author of the award winning FOREVER WAR) is very much written tongue-in-cheek and you can tell he is having fun coming up with the world and storyline that would feature the Ron Cobb (CONAN and ALIEN) designed machines. In short, decent effects, good acting, and a fun script makes this an above average B-Movie to watch when you just want some dumb fun.

My only real complaint is that the DVD release is very bare-bones, it is the film along with the obligatory warnings; the extras are non-existant. November 2, 2007

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