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DVD I, Robot (All-Access Collector's Edition)
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
Review(s): DVD I, Robot (All-Access Collector's Edition)
"There have always been ghosts in the machine."
Alex Proyas' "I, Robot" is a passable piece of harmless entertainment. It is just too bad that a better film could not have been made from Isaac Asimov's influential source material.
Detective Del Spooner (Will Smith) investigates an apparent suicide at the U.S. Robotics building. His mistrust of robots leads him to believe that there is more to the suicide of Doctor Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell) than meets the eye. Suspicion starts to focus on a robot named Sonny (Alan Tudyk) despite U.S. Robotics' insistence that none of their robots could possibly hurt, much less kill, a human being.
"I, Robot" is a film that could have been an insightful examination into the nature of the synthetic consciousness. Unfortunately, it aims lower in its ambition and instead chooses to be more about car chases, fistfights, and special effects galore. Yet, "I, Robot" is still fun on the most basic of levels. Smith's natural charisma shines through from start to finish and there is enough brain candy present to engage your mind. The design of the robots take some getting used to and Bridget Moynahan is totally ineffective in her role, but "I, Robot" has enough going for it to make it worthy of a look-see.
A Great Story In The Spirit of Asimov's i'Robot
For those of you who do not know yet, the movie "i'Robot" and the short story collection by Issac Asimov from which the movie takes it's name, are not the same story. Not even close. The only connection is the Three Laws of Robotics, and a few character names. This is not a bad thing, however. Personally I much prefer that the movie only took place in the Asimov universe rather than try to adapt one of, or (worse yet) merge together, Asimov's robot stories.
Many Asimov purists are spitting mad at this film for not being a faithful adaptation of the book. When you think about it, however, two major issues come up:
1) i'Robot the book is a short story collection, how could you make a normal feature length movie out of such a book, and
2) Most movies (not all though) do no justice to the source material, so isn't it better to have a completely new story that is based in the universe of the original source material than mutilate a beloved story
Either way, i'Robot is a fun, action packed, summer blockbuster by every definition. The story is more of an extension of the i'Robot universe, which was probably the best way to go with this material. Overall, I am thoroughly impressed.
A refreshing take on "The Rise of the Machine"
Here's what I thought it would be like:
In a Star Trek/Data-like move we are supposed to feel like a robot is somehow another form of life deserving all the respect of something between a German Shepherd and a human. Chaos ensues with their new found sentience and humanity longs for the simple good ol' days. Either that or we are supposed to walk away looking for life in "Sonny's" ancestors like toasters and TV remotes.
I was only about a third right.
Troughout the movie, robots remain little more than high tech toasters, devoid of life. Clearly, society in this movie has not yet gone over the same cliff as Star Trek. Even though the Lieutenant already started pining for the good ol' days when "humans killed humans." He had the attitude that made me half-expect him to challenge Spooner. . .
"Shoot Spooner!" I could hear him say, "Why don't you arrest the hair-dryer for falling into the bathtub and killing Mrs. Higgins?"
That would have been something he would say.
Spooner is made to feel just how ridiculous he is compared to the rest of the world when he tackles a robot for what he thinks is a purse snatching. As it turns out, it was running TO its owner not away from her with her inhaler she forgot at home. Everyone around him gives him a look as if asking, "What's your problem, man?" The robot gets up and is about as polite as Sebastian Cabot in "Family Affair" in an almost annoying way. . .
"Sorry for the misunderstaning, sir."
The robots are too good to be true.
This is all a great setup for the big challenge of the movie. Dr. Lanning, the godfather of robots, kills himself. The suicide seems obvious to everyone except Spooner. He needs to find the clues that Lanning possibly left behind then convince the world that he is right about his suspicions over Sonny's involvment in Lanning's death.
There are some very deftly played out conflicts here. Emotion vs. logic is a worn out war in Hollywood with emotion winning every time. "I Robot" recognizes that and avoids the usual cliches. Brains (Calvin) vs. gut instincts (Spooner) is another good conflict. She is all intellect whereas he is more balanced.
Spooner: You are the dumbest smart person I've ever met!
Calvin: And YOU are the dumbest dumb person I've ever met!
There's a little comedy there and it works well.
But the three laws of robotics also come in conflict with each other. This is especially well handled. Chaos comes not from robot emotions but from the logical adherence to the three laws. Humans are war-like therefore they must be destroyed to protect humanity--clearly a bug in the program! What is a society to do when free will is in conflict with security? It's not a new plot twist but it's well presented. Very interesting!
The ending is exciting while not being intellectually insulting. Dr. Lanning's death is solved. Robots are still robots but there is just a hint of freindship between Sonny and Spooner. Humanity and its creations evolve and advance.
This movie has made me want to read Asimov. I've heard nothing but good things about him so now it's time to find out why.
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