ADDITION: 20th Anniversary - (September 07'): Surprisingly the transfer differs from the 'Lenticular Edition' that came out a couple of months previously. Although still in the theatrical 1.85:1 - it is most similar to the Criterion in terms of color balance and contrast. At times it is does not appear as sharp but that could be because of the black boosting on the alternate releases.

Technically - there are 2 discs housed inside a steel keep case (with rounded corners). One disc has the 'theatrical version' and the other has the 'Extended version'. Both are in the NTSC standard, coded for region 1, progressive and 1.85:1 anamorphically enhanced. Both theatrical and extended look to have the same transfer (one comparison example below).

Audio has a 4.0 track option (touted as original) which none of the other releases sport. Along with that are 5.1 and DTS choices. English and Spanish subtitles support the audio.

The package is rife with supplements - an audio commentary (not new) by director Paul Verhoeven, producer Jon Davison, and screenwriter Edward Neumeier for the theatrical. Featurettes: Flesh and Steel, Shooting RoboCop (7:59), Making RoboCop (8:01), Villains of Old Detroit, Special Effects Then and Now, RoboCop: Creating a Legend, plus storyboard visuals, deleted scenes and more.

I guess I'll never understand the film's popularity although a niche following does seem to make sense with its fantasy elements and purposeful kitschy aura. I hope this is the last release till it goes Hi-def (and it will) but for SD this appears to be the package for fans to own.   

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ADDITION (June 07') - Lenticular Edition: Well, I think I figured out what they were inferring by the term 'Lenticular' - it means 'bare bones'. The image is a virtual duplicate of the older MGM 'Trilogy' release BUT it does show a fraction more information on all four edges. The VOB files are surprisingly from 2001! At least the menus are relatively new. Although only a trailer as a supplement - if you are only interested in the 'intend ratio' of the film and nothing more then for $11 this is the way to go.

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NEW ADDITION (June 2004): (Trilogy Version) - MGM's new anamorphic DVD is very strong and a candidate for the best version (aspect ratio and overly red skins tones and saturation aside - see below). Excellent sharpness (although Criterion is slightly sharper) and contrast (deep blacks), 5.1 audio, NO PAL speedup, and bountiful Extra features. Shame that it took so long to come to Region 1 and NTSC since the Criterion is Out-of-Print... and also a shame that it can only be purchased in the Trilogy Boxset. Still, for fans, it is the one to buy if you adhere to the theatrical preferred aspect ratio (not directors)! Colors are really different than the Criterion which should still be considered the definitive version.

The Criterion captures are native resolution and the MGM is scaled down from 1016. Not that it matters too much... the MGM, even if anamorphic,  has too much saturation for my tastes - this adjusts the colors quite drastically. Notice on capture 3 that the "digital cleaning" have removed not only grain but also some wires and other small items on the MGM!  The Criterion has some Edge Enhancement, but it is very minor. Regarding the aspect ratio:

IMdb states the original aspect ratio as:

1.66 : 1 (negative ratio)
1.85 : 1 (intended ratio)

From a post on Home Theatre Forum HERE:
"Well, if I understand correctly, RoboCop was shown theatrically in 1.85:1. 1.66:1 is (director) Paul Verhoeven's preferred Aspect ratio"
So we have included "Original Aspect ratio" for both. I suppose its a matter of taste.

 - Gary Tooze