I, Robot (Widescreen Edition)
by Alex Proyas
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alan Tudyk, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, Will SmithDirector: Alex Proyas
Brand: Fox
Producer: Anthony Romano
Producer: James Lassiter
Producer: John Davis
Producer: John Kilkenny
Writer: Akiva Goldsman
Writer: Isaac Asimov
Writer: Jeff Vintar
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 115 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-12-14
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of I, Robot (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: An Interesting Sci Fi Action Thriller that is Just Plain Fun
Summary: 5 Stars
Is this movie really worth a full five stars? Maybe not, but the many one star reviews are so undeserved that I decided that I might as well perhaps go overboard a little bit in the other direction. While I will address the minor criticisms of this movie in the course of this review, let's deal with the major criticism immediately. Namely, that it is not a true representation of the classic story by Isaac Asimov, one of the writers who introduced me to the genre during my childhood. This criticism is literally true but a combination of misguided and irrelevant. In fact, for those paying attention, the credit line says that the story is "suggested" by Asimov's book, not based on it. A screenplay true to the storyline of that work would have been of interest today to only the most fanatic Asimov fans, who largely dominated the early review submissions. The state of technology has changed dramatically in the fifty plus years since that book was published, and a meaningful segment of sci fi literature has built on the concepts about which Asimov and a few other pioneers (such as Philip K. Dick) speculated in much of the defining literature of the genre. Thus, only the two opening elements of this film are directly based on that book, namely the title itself and the Three Laws of Robotics. But those laws form the basis of a clever and intriguing story which raises the same questions which Asimov raised but in an updated version which I believe (from reading him extensively and hearing him speak years ago) that he would have both enjoyed and enthusiastically endorsed. While not in any way a literal interpretation of his work, this film is undoubtedly true to its spirit.
I'll attempt to set the scene, then you can sit back and enjoy the movie. Will Smith, probably in the best shape of his life, is detective Del Spooner. Del is a misfit in the culture of 2035, one of the few citizens who doesn't fully appreciate the benefits which the products of U.S. Robotics have brought to mankind. In fact, he actually distrusts robots and their inherent logic and believes that the Three Laws are not necessarily inviolate. Dr. Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell), the scientific genius behind the success of U.S. Robotics, apparently commits suicide and posthumously summons Del to investigate his death. (Their complex relationship is only gradually revealed.) Cromwell fans have no need to fear, through a combination of technological innovation and flashbacks, he repeatedly appears from beyond the grave. Del suspects foul play, but is faced with the classic room locked from the inside dilemma. Carey Robertson (Bruce Greenwood), the CEO of U.S. Robotics and the world's richest man, simply wants the case closed so that the introduction of their new model proceeds smoothly. And Susan Calvin (Bridget Moynihan), Lanning's protégé, is extremely skeptical of Del's suspicions.
Del eventually centers on a suspect, an apparently rogue robot endowed with some special qualities by Dr. Lanning and whose speech is voiced by Alan Tudyk. There are a few other essential minor characters, but part of the effectiveness of the story is that the majority of this film alternates between the mandatory action scenes and a focus on Del, Susan, Lanning, and the robots Sonny and Viki rather than introducing a lot of character clutter. The remainder of the cast are primarily just crowd members or the thousands of indistinguishable robots.
Make no mistake, there are superficial elements to this story, and perhaps the conclusion is a little too feel good; however, I enjoy leaving a thriller feeling hope for the future rather than thinking about how many people have been killed. Besides most of those who were terminated in his film were robots, so that's not murder anyway, or is it? One of the great lines was in fact, if a robot kills someone is it murder or just a product malfunction? The special effects were very well done, and while the Audi product placement was certainly over the top (I'll put in my order now for the 2035 model), the car chase scene with robots was definitely a step up from most action films.
So, is it unrealistic? Sure! Most sci fi is, especially when it dealing with such a close in future time period. Is it as thought provoking as MINORTITY REPORT (which was not true to the book either)? Absolutely not, but the plot is certainly serviceable and even quite clever. Are the special effects awe inspiring and is the futuristic world portrayed stunning? No once again, but the attention to detail and the computer simulations were very well executed. Thus, despite the flaws, this film comes close enough to my criteria for five stars that I just overcome my quibbles and rounded up my rating. I had fun watching it. I want to see it again. (Knowing the ending won't spoil it at all.) I enjoyed watching Will Smith and the rest of the cast was fine. Finally, I might even decide to purchase the DVD when it's released, especially because I'm sure that it'll have a lot of really great extra material on it. So, if you want vintage Isaac Asimov, deep drama, and a movie that explores the tragedy of the human condition, don't disappoint yourself by going to I, ROBOT. But if you want fun, action, and an interesting story, then this is highly recommended.
Tucker Andersen
Summary of I, Robot (Widescreen Edition)
In the year 2035, technology and robots are a trusted part of everyday life. But that trust is broken when a scientist is found dead and a skeptical detective (Smith) believes that a robot is responsible. Bridget Moynahan co-stars in this high-tech action thriller that questions whether technology will ultimately lead to mankind's salvation . . . or annihilation.As paranoid cop Del Spooner, Will Smith (Independence Day, Men in Black) displays both his trademark quips and some impressive pectoral muscles in I, Robot. Only Spooner suspects that the robots that provide the near future with menial labor are going to turn on mankind--he's just not sure how. When a leading roboticist dies suspiciously, Spooner pursues a trail that may prove his suspicions. Don't expect much of a connection to Isaac Asimov's classic science fiction stories; I, Robot, the action movie, isn't prepared for any ruminations on the significance of artificial intelligence. This likable, efficient movie won't break any new ground, but it does have an idea or two to accompany its jolts and thrills, which puts it ahead of most recent action flicks. Also featuring Bridget Moynahan (The Sum of All Fears), Bruce Greenwood (The Sweet Hereafter), and James Cromwell (Babe, LA Confidential). --Bret Fetzer
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