Better than expected, and as I hoped.

Rating: 8/10 (16 July 2004)

I gave a middle finger to critics, and to other forum members who said this movie was going to suck. I loved it. The audience I viewed it with agreed with me, giving laughs in the proper areas, and enveloped in the story. And let me say, I read the book before I heard it was going to be made into a movie.
Alex did an amazing job directly, adding a realness to the future, yet a subtly that wasn't flashy until the action began. And when the action did show up, the directing has me going, "Whoa", a la Keanu. He added his own twist to action that could've been generic.
The acting wasn't Oscar worthy, nor would I expect it to be. I saw this movie for what it was; an story truly inspired by Isaac (which also came right from the mouth of the screenwriter who read both books entitled "I, Robot). The actors fit right in with the movie.
The story was ye old detective set in a futuristic world. And I liked it, though I foresaw the twists coming, but I can't say that for everyone. I *always* figure out the twist, well, save for a few movies maybe.
It even had an itch for GHOST IN THE SHELL. An idea of "ghosts" in the electrical system.
Like Alex said, this movie is much like a short story itself in a huge wad of bigger stories. It leaves the door open for another story to tie itself in, and another one, and another. Sequels, yes, and I wouldn't get too angry at that. Wouldn't star some of the same stars probably -- and they'd get an older actress to play Dr. Calvin in her middle years, I presume.
And for those who proclaimed, "This movie is going to be about robots taking over the world", I say, you shoulda kept your mouth shut until you saw the movie.
SPOILER!
The robots were destroying the old robots because those robots would inevitably PROTECT the humans, and therefore, prevent the new robots from replacing them. Humans must be kept in check for their own protection -- they wished not to take over the world, but to help the humans prevent their own death. But some say we are naturally instilled with a need to destroy one another...which can easily lead into a mechanical "god complex".
Anyway, good movie. Smith, sweet job. Bridget, I like her, her style is at times refreshing. And I like Chi, since Cradle 2 Grave; his performance just showed character. Greenwood, I normally like his characters. This is no different. I'd buy it on DVD.
I see movies to see them. Good or bad. 7/10.