| Loosely based
on the novel from Isaac Asimov, I, ROBOT is an action-packed,
CGI-laden thrill ride from director Alex Proyas (THE CROW). Set in
2035, Will Smith stars as Chicago law enforcer Detective Del
Spooner. Called upon to investigate the mysterious suicide of
scientist Dr. Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell), Spooner deduces
that Lanning didn't kill himself but was, in fact, murdered.
Lanning worked for the US Robotics headquarters, where he
constructed friendly robots designed to help humans with mundane
tasks. Lanning's creations are prevalent all over the city, and
have been fully integrated into the culture. They are allegedly
programmed not to harm humans, but as Spooner digs deeper, his
investigations lead him to a new type of robot that Lanning was
working on before his death, and one of these models--the highly
charismatic Sonny--becomes the prime suspect in the case. Spooner
bears a grudge against robots due to an unfortunate incident, so
his case against Sonny is met with shrugs of indifference from
colleagues who know his prejudices all too well. Fortunately he
meets an ally, and a romantic interest, in Dr. Susan Calvin
(Bridget Moynahan), who agrees to help him. As Sonny is cured of
his violent tendencies, the other robots amass across the city,
working on the assumption that they need to control humanity in
order to safeguard its future. Director Proyas unleashes a
fearsome arsenal of special effects, while Spooner and Calvin
chase the errant robots all over the city. Sonny's facial features
and voice are digitally manipulated from the actor Alan Tudyk,
lending an unnerving element of humanity to the character. Smith
and Moynahan give convincing performances throughout, and as the
action races towards a nail-biting conclusion, the message of the
movie suggests that technologies built to help mankind could also
provide its downfall.
"[I]t has some nifty
choreographed scenes of leaping malevolent droids on the
attack."
"[T]his is state-of-the-art
sci-fi, slick and silvery....It's intelligent..."
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