I, Robot (2004)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  8 / 10

  I, Robot is a robotics film that questions humanity. Although not the first to do so by any means, see Spielberg's Artificial Intelligence or the Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell, this was the most accessible film at the time of its release. It's a blockbuster, so it was designed to be entertaining. The added philosophical themes was just the icing on the cake. Yes, the script is hit and miss and yes, the acting is nothing to shout about...but it never set out to do that. This is straight up a good time that, for me, has endured many many viewings. The plot is a murder mystery, but the context is science fiction where we are questioning the transcendence of artificial intelligence, the manufactured mind of robots and whether or not robots could potentially evolve by themselves. For mainstream audiences I felt this hit all the right notes, there are scenes that explore these questions without being too heavy going. Will Smith was Will Smith, but his prejudice against robotics is what gave him charisma and a sense of endearment particularly as his back story is unveiled. Bridget Moynahan plays a logically minded robotics engineer who contrasts to Smith's rational mind and does make for some good chemistry..in a weird way. Alan Tudyk should just voice all robots in films. Period. Shia LaBeouf's character was completely pointless and irrelevant, the film is better enough to not include him. Alex Proyas uses some good camera shots, especially in the action sequences where the camera purposefully disorientates us...so he can actually direct a good film! The action set pieces were exciting, particularly the car scene in the tunnel. The visuals still hold up well today, the robots have a nice clean design to them. This is a film where you are either on board or just don't care, for me I am on board all the way as this is one of my personal favourite science fiction films. Thoroughly entertaining and one of Smith's better blockbusters.

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