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I, Robot
Story: It's 2035, Will Smith investigates a murder possibly committed by a robot. Running Time: 115 minutes. Certificate 15.
I enjoyed this film: I think the average moviegoer will enjoy it: Testosterone Satisfaction Rating: Car chases, fantastic effects. To enjoy this film you should be: Conscious.
To buy I, Robot, use one of these links: |
30 years ago, Space Invaders was no more than a glint in the eye of a smart-thinking Japanese nerd.
The pocket calculator was a pretty funky new invention and only a handful of rich kids had digital
wristwatches. It's not a massive stretch of the imagination to extrapolate a further 30 years into a
future where robots walk around with people, performing household chores. Well, perhaps it's a small
stretch, but bear with it because it's worth it. In this world, the robots are bound by three fundamental laws that
govern their programming and prevent them from harming humans, so when all the clues point to a robot
committing murder, what is a technophobic cop to do? If you've read Isaac Asimov's book, you'll
already know, but for the rest of us I'll leave the storytelling there. 
Sounds ambitious, doesn't it? A film whose title character is entirely computer-generated, but
who has to interact with real actors ... we all remember Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and even Jar Jar
Binks - it doesn't tend to work, on the whole. Fortunately for us, this time they've cracked it.
The world of 2035, robots and all, looks totally convincing and is tackled with panache and skill.
Will Smith adds a little more polish to his likeable moral yet rogueish persona, Bridget Moynahan
is perfect as the uptight blinkered scientist and the robots exude the perfect balance of enigma and charisma.
The action is two steps short of absurd, but curiously it works - the coolness of the scenery and
the novelty of the scenario are enough to allow a little directorial licence without threatening the
overall integrity. Only in the final humans-vs-robots encounter does the plausibility begin to dwindle,
but not enough to destroy the illusion. In short, the action scenes are flamboyant, enjoyable and
oh-so-cool. I tell you what though,
I bet Mr Asimov didn't do in-your-face product placement like this. Thinly-disguised Audi TTs litter
the city streets, the four-ringed Audi logo is squeezed into shot at every opportunity and Will Smith's
nostalgic cop even makes a point of wearing "Converse All-Stars, 2004 vintage." Hmmm.
So it's a mindless, cool, pretty action flick, right? Well it's definitely cool and pretty, but
holy cow, it's got a plot as well, and a thought-provoking one at that! It's not deep enough to
lose the casual viewer, but it raises enough issues that the ponderous ones amongst us will be mulling
over for weeks afterwards. It's smart, funny, sassy, gorgeous, exciting and great fun. Hell,
it's the perfect girlfriend. This is a great movie, a complete movie, easily a contender for best
film of the year. Go and see it, now.
