Movie Review: I, Robot


Starship Troopers:Heinlein::I, Robot: Asimov

A few years ago, someone produced a film called Starship Troopers, ostensibly based on the novel by Robert Heinlein. Like many other films based on books, Starship Troopers had little to do with the book. I discovered yesterday that someone made a sequel to that movie. The four words, "Oh, my dear god," come to mind, probably followed by an exclamation point. Before vomiting in the aisle at Blockbuster, I spun to find I, Robot, starring Will Smith. I saw the I, Robot bike episodes of American Chopper and wanted to see the movie because of the bike Paulie built for Will Smith and the debut of the film.

OK, it's not bad. It has nothing to do with the book, but it's not bad. Ignore the familiar names, ignore the familiar look of the robots; just watch the movie and it's not bad.

But not bad is by no means awesome. The robot effects are incredible! Perhaps because they did not have to look perfectly human, the CGI works for them. Maybe it's because there were so many of them. Maybe it was the voice. For whatever reason, the robots were good. Will Smith, as the angsty, racist (against robots) cop? Not quite as believable. And, US Robotics as the bad guy? Talk about appropriate product placement! But all very much over the top, all of it very... obvious.

The bottom line? It's entertaining, it's got a good beat, I can dance to it, I give it a 7 out of 10. Just don't ask me to believe that Asimov had anything to do with it (which is actually stated in the credits, and I quote: "Suggested by the story by Isaac Asimov").

Posted: Tue - December 27, 2005 at 12:17 PM      

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