I, Robot
The Plot:
Will Smith stars in this action thriller inspired by the classic short story collection by Isaac Asimov and brought to the big screen by director Alex Proyas (Dark City, The Crow). In the year 2035, robots are an everyday household item and everyone trusts them, except one slightly paranoid detective (Smith) investigating what he alone believes is a crime perpetrated by a robot. The case leads him to discover a far more frightening threat to the human race. (From Yahoo Movies)
My Thoughts: (Reviewed by Big Pun)
Heading into to the theatre on Tuesday night, I had this bad feeling that I was going to hate what I was about to see…I, Robot had gotten some mediocre reviews, and like an ass, I paid attention to every one of them…but looking back, I am kind of glad I lowered my expectations because what I got was a good time at the movies on a hot summer night…I, Robot certainly wasn’t the best science fiction thriller I have ever seen, heck, it stole so much from some of the classics…but it was a good, solid summer popcorn movie that I would recommend.
Set in the year 2035 in Chicago, the film is centered around the increased use of robotics in the lives of everyday Americans…in fact, these helpful robots are a loved and cherished part of almost every household…trusted and counted on by just about everyone…except one guy, Del Spooner…a paranoid, technology phobic cop played by Will Smith…he is the only one who distrusts the robots and believes that they are capable of much worse than mankind is willing to admit…the only problem with his theory is that each robot is equipped with the 3 Laws which prevent them from hurting mankind…
Smith’s character is so anti-technology, it’s almost as if he is living in the past…using a stereo that you have to turn on with your hands…kicking the old school Converse Chuck Taylor’s…hanging out with Grandma and eating her sweet potato pie…it’s like he wishes he was back in good ol’ 2004…but he’s not, and he struggles with the constant jeers and looks from his fellow cops for his bizarre antics and beliefs toward the robotic technology.
But just when it seems that detective Spooner is all but fully off his rocker…. he is sent to investigate the apparent suicide death of the scientist who started the robot movement…Dr. Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell) was responsible for the major strides that developed the current robot system and helping to build US Robotics, the leading developer of robots…USR is ready to unveil it’s newest model, a more life-like and effective model of robot when Lanning apparently thrusts himself from his office window, plummeting to his death…
Spooner believes there is more at work here then a suicide, but he must do the impossible to prove it…show that a robot had something to do with it…and that robot is Sonny…a special NS-5 model designed by Lanning with some extra features that most new models don’t posses…like a name…and the ability to dream…Spooner begins his quest by trying to enlist the help of Dr. Susan Calvin (Bridgette Moynahan), the company’s top psychological analyst….
The story takes off from here as Spooner
tries to show Sonny’s involvement, which he does only to find there
is more to uncover in this sci-fi mystery…with the help of Calvin, the
detective uncovers the truth behind the NS-5 robots and what US Robotics is
involved in…. all isn’t as it seems…and even Spooner has
a secret to tell, one that makes you understand why he feels the way he does
about the metal ones…there are some nice, convincing little plot twists
built in as the movie speeds along toward a climax…are the robots here
to help?…is human kind in trouble????…I guess you will have to
check out the movie to find out…
Ok, so what did I like about the movie…well, for one, the special effects
are excellent and blended together with an effective story…overall,
this makes for a well put together movie that is right on with its pacing,
plot twists and character development…I liked the characters in the
movie…especially Sonny, the robot…I know, I know, he sounded just
like HAL from Space Odyssey, but I still dug it…Smith was actually good
here for me…and he is more miss than hit in my book…He played
the role kind of low key and straight forward, not over the top like in ID4….Moynahan
was also good and very easy on the eyes I might add…
Now, the film did borrow quite a bit from such movies as 2001: Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, Minority Report, the Matrix, and just about any other sci-fi movie…but so what…if the movie sucked, I would have called it a rip-off…but it didn’t suck, it was good enough to stand on it’s own merits.
One thing that did bother me, and does with most sci-fi films is the special effect environments…this movie is set 30 years in the future and we see these amazing futuristic cars and highways, where you don’t have to steer or anything…well, if I looked back 30 years, I guarantee that our transportation system then, looks a lot like the one in 2004…so why should I believe it would change that much?…and to add to that way of thinking…if we can make these awesome cars and junk, why can’t they figure out how to build futuristic buildings or clothes, etc…it’s a case of trying to blend in current culture with an idea of the future…but sometimes I think film makers and special effects crews go for the obvious upgrade instead of the more simple one…a small complaint, I know…
Overall, I found I, Robot to be a lot
of fun at the movies…it’s not great by any means, but is was fun…and
any film with such sound special effects deserves to be seen on the big screen,
so check it out…
Starring: Will Smith,
Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood, Alan Tudyk
Directed by: Alex Proyas
Rated PG-13