A robotic film about robots

Rating: Null/10 (9 September 2004)

So it's the season of the summer big flick and I, Robot attempts to make the most spectacular action film of the year. Its got a big name in actor in the form of Will Smith playing Del Spooner, a buffed up future detective. It's got explosions, a motorbike stunt, robots on the rampage and more explosions.
Starting with the positive the always excellent James Cromwell puts in a memorable performance as Dr Alfred Lanning, the linchpin character that holds the film together. Shame he's in for such a short amount of time.
The robots are well handled. The initial models we see show an interesting variety. Due to their nature as computer effects we are never convinced they share a physical existence with the characters on screen they do have presence. Especially towards the end of the film.
The three laws of robotics are clearly explained and demonstrated. Only towards the end do the rigid rules become as flexible as warm fudge.
The plot, while nothing we haven't seen before, moves at a good pace. There are few scenes which don't push the story forward or have something shiny to look at. Certain elements of the plot are foreshadowed effectively and play out nicely.
Unfortunately this is where the flaws in the film start to show through.
Clichés assault this film in as many numbers as robots. The rogue detective who is an embarrassment to the force, only he can see the truth as he battles his superiors and the big evil corporation. You can almost countdown to the moment where he's ordered to hand in his badge and gun.
A minor character is introduced early in the film for no other reason so he can be put in danger later. What is his bond with Will Smith's character? You don't need to know that. You're just the audience.
Will Smith's character Del Spooner displays the worst traits of a movie detective. He misses obvious clues, turns a blind eye to ludicrous situations (Spooner doesn't question the presence of a cat in a house due to be demolished in a few hours). However the moment someone says something mundane he's able to make amazing leaps of logic. He also bonds with the first attractive female he meets.
The vision of the film is laughable being set a mere thirty one years in the future. By then there will be hordes of robots, which is fine since that's the premise of the film.
However in the future the 'internet' will close down all libraries. Well educated people won't know the story of 'Hansel and Gretel' (despite being born in the next TEN years). Yeah, fairy tales which have already lasted over a hundred years will vanish in ten years. I blame the internet.
Modern technology can do many wonderful things but as I, Robot proves it can't provide substance. For this reason science films of past decades still display a more convincing view of tomorrow and possess something surely missed in most films. Respect for the audience.