Interesting Condensation of Asimov's Robot Stories

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2005)

This comment is based on viewing the DVD of the film, including the few - but very worthwhile - DVD extras' features.
The movie is not telling any of Isaaac Asimov's robot stories, as such. However, the Scriptwriters and Director have taken key aspects of several of these stories to compose a challenging synthesis of Asimov's Three Laws. Caution: spoilers ahead! The 1001 Robots scene, the question Sonny asks of Will's Smith's Detective Spooner, and Sonny himself all come from Asimov's work, as others have said. I think he would have liked the film. It respects his Laws which actually now govern the scientific field of Robotics. The film holds true to the origin of the word "Robot" itself, from the Czech language: meaning "compulsory service", from Karel Capek's 1923 work "R.U.R.", (Rossum's Universal Robots) - citation from the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.
Will Smith did a good job, especially in the scene about his accident that led to his attitude towards robots. Brigit and Bruce did well with what they had to work with. Interesting to see the "Gollum" film-making method taken further by the "I, Robot" film crew.
A very creditable 8/10, a thought-provoking film for Asimov readers. Certainly a far more intelligent cinematic attempt at Asimov's 'Three Laws' than the cloying sentimentality of "Bicentennial Man".
Greyollie, Australia