I-Robot

I hope this movie does not suck!:(

This movie seems to be getting quite a bit of flack from the fans of the book. I'll wait and judge for myself.

At first I didn't want to see it because it has Will Smith, who is not a bad actor but I don't know if he could handle serious sci-fi. After I found out that its directed by Alex Proyas (The Crow, Dark City), it was a no-brainer, now I'm definetly going to see it. The trailers look decent, and the film has great potential. I just hope it's not too much like other recent sci-fi (like Minority Report or the Second Renaissance from the Animatrix. I find similarities to Minority Report in all of the new sci-fi. Maybe it's because Minority Report was awesome, but I don't like other films to be too derivative...)

The movie looks like "A.I."-meets-"Minority Report"-with-a-sprinkling-of-"Bubblegum Crisis 2040".

The fans of the books biggest complaint seems to be the fact that originally the movie was originally named Hardwired. But because it was 'loosely' based on the stories Asimov created they opted to call it I ROBOT. So basically they're pissed off because a Will Smith action movie was branded with the I, ROBOT signature.

This is the basic case of Summer Action Movie vs. Cerebral Book uproar.

The book is a collection of stories by Asimov detailing different possibilities that arise when robots are introduced into mainstream society, from their first inclusion as small, labor-saving devices through their evolution to highly stylized helper robots. All of the stories take place in the universe Asimov created in the book and follow chronologically as the robots become more advanced. This movie focuses on only one of the stories in the book, but it is one of the better ones.

I can't recall what they are off-hand, but the robots have 4 specific laws programmed into them that limit their capabilities so humans stay on top and robots remain products. This story revolves around the possibility of the seemingly impossible: a robot may have broken one of these laws.

Great book if you get a chance to read it. The best story is about the senator running for office. Don't miss it.

For those poo-pooing whether it will be as good as the books: forget it, like always. Watch it for what it is: a summer actionfest. If you want to be disappointed, you'll be disappointed.

Here's hoping I can listen to my own advice!

Sean (...so, what's the verdict?...am I, Robot or am I, Sean?...) 8)

Ben,

Well, one must admit that if that's the case, it is pretty lame! However, the trailers I have seen are definitely reminiscent of an amalgam of two Asimov I, Robot stories. Let's hope their intent was to pay homage and not rip off!

Note to self: check brain at the door on this one...

Sean (...oh, wait...if I check my brain, what will I sit on?!?...)

Nowhere near cinema perfection, but I was entertained. Whatever value that holds lol. If I can get a few good laughs and some impressive action sequences I'm satisfied :)

I share Eddie's views on Paycheck here, it's not necessarily a bad movie (I enjoyed it), just one we've seen already.

People really need to stop using that routine in which the lead character has a hunch, and the rest of the world he lives in is too damned stubborn and hard assed to think that whatever the lead character believes is remotely possible until it's too late and they are eating their own words. << annoying

Much like many of Will Smith's other movies, he is playing himself. Not necessarily a bad thing because I like Will's overly flamboyant self. I think it works well in movies such as MIB and here with I, ROBOT. But it wouldn't hurt to try and break out of that shell more often (think Ali).

Depression,

I agree. When the tv spots started showing more and more of this film, we started to see more of the stereotypical Will Smith performance. As you mentioned, this isn't necessarily a bad thing... I've been a fan of Will since his days on "The Fresh Prince Of Bellaire". However, this character that Will seems so comfortable with is the same basic character in "Bad Boys", "Independence Day", "Men In Black", and now "I-Robot". I thought Will did an excellent job in "The Legend Of Bagger Vance", and "Enemy Of The State". I never did see "Ali". I too wish Will would choose more roles outside of his 'norm'. Will was on Goodmorning America a couple of days ago, where he mentioned that this is the first time he's really been the "lead role". Normally he has a partner or co-star to share the lime light. Being that this is new territory for Will, it may explain why he chose a character style that's he's most comfortable with. Will is getting almost as good with his catch phrases as Arnold Schwartzenegger was/is. Which is really what's kind of got me bored with that character. From "I have GOT to get me one of these!" in "Independence Day", to "Some how I told you so, just doesn't cut it" now in "I-Robot", it's just a little old. Like I said, I don't mean to come down on Will, I just wish he'd break out of his mold more often.

- Josh

I haven't seen this yet, but I greatly anticipate it. Alex Proyas did the Crow and Dark City, 2 flicks that I absolutely love. Will Smith is one of the only action stars I like also. I hope the movie at least somewhat follows the Asimov source material. The previews look great, and i can't wait to see it.

Yeah, I heard rumors that Proyas really tried to keep the Smith factor to a minimal.

Personally, for me, this was the best movie of the summer. I know I am the minority here, but I enjoyed it more than Spider-Man 2. As for Will, I thought he was breaking away from the mold here. He still had the smart ass attitude, but his character was a lot darker and with more convictions than usual. By the way a good Will Smith performance is "Six Degrees of Separation," where he played a gay con man pretending Sidney Poitier's son. Anyway, one problem I had with this movie was that they neved explained the relationship between Smith and the kid from "Holes."

I'll hate to see a "minority report-bicentinial man-t2-AI"Cross makeover with a rap attitude...but it is widely wispered that the effects on this one are far more better than spidey 2.

^^ You missed Gangs of NY :)

I saw it today. I thought it was very well made. Plenty of story, witty dialog, intense action, what else are we suppose to expect from a summer flick? The pacing was very smooth with very few-and-far between dull moments. And no, I didn't see anything that would even closely resemble a "rap" attitude in the film.

Will Smith played a cop that was ever so distrusting of the robot world. He gave plenty of conviction and good reasoning for his character. Maybe it was the same old Will we've seen in other films, but hey, if your good at it, then what's the problem? Bruce Willis has played plenty of "the same guy" roles for years, why doesn't anyone complain about that? It's like going back to the 60's and saying, "I wish John Wayne would stop playing the same cowboy in ever western he does".

I thought "I Robot" was very entertaining for the money. It was pure and simple summer fare that really did very little to disapoint. Personally, I don't care about all of the negative feedback it has received. I figure, there are those few films out there were you feel they got it wrong, and in my opinion, "I Robot" is one of them. For some reason this film flipped my switch. I got into it from the very beginning and enjoyed it right to the very end. Now, does it measure up to films like "AI", "2001", "Minority Report"? Maybe not, but I'd have to say there was very little to gripe about.

8/10

"robots building robots.... now that's just stupid"

I thought that was the best line in the movie.

Well...you know...Will smith plays Will smith. :)

I have to retract some of my earlier predictions of this film. I saw it Tuesday, and I must say it was nothing close to how it was portrayed in the commercials. I REALLY enjoyed this movie. It did have a "Will Smith line" here and there, but it was tasteful and kept to a minimum as Depression mentioned earlier. Will's performace was very well done. The movie had excellent dialogue, plot developement, and character depth. It felt a little rushed towards the end, but not enough to merit a bad rating.

Excellent film.

- Josh