Dr. Asimov would have enjoyed it

Rating: 9/10 (15 January 2006)

Let me start off by saying that I walked into the theater fully expecting to hate I, Robot. I started reading Asimov in junior high school, and the thought of a movie "suggested" by his collection of short stories seemed almost a sacrilege. To prepare, I watched all the previews and the talk-show interviews on The Tonight Show, Ellen, and any other show that had Will Smith and Bridget Moynahan on as guests, I saw every clip available, and I had my mind made up that this movie was going to suck for anyone other than action-movie aficionados. Well, I was wrong. And my changed mind had absolutely nothing to do with seeing Will Smith naked. (Although that part was a nice bonus.) Before I saw the film, I was troubled by the thought of beautiful, young Bridget Moynahan playing Susan Calvin. I really believed the only person to play the eminent Dr. Calvin should be Anne Haney, the child welfare worker from Mrs. Doubtfire (which is another film on my short list of Movies Better than the Books). But Ms. Moynahan portrayed the rigid robopsychiatrist to a T. Still, in later years, Anne Haney will be the perfect actor to play an older Dr. Calvin.
The movie was good. Really good. There was plenty of action, but better than that, a plausible back story for why Det. Del Spooner hated robots the way he did, fine acting all the way through, and an excellent storyline. In this instance, adding material didn't hurt a thing. Del's grandma was perfect. The special effects were incredible. The one-liners were pithy and rapier-sharp. I even liked the cat.
The tiny details added a great deal to my enjoyment of the film. For instance, the spectacles that Dr. Alfred Lanning's holographic image wore. When you see this movie, and I hope you do, take a good look at them. Also, from the posted prices, items in 2035 are going to cost just about ten times what they do now. Now, there's something for me to look forward to when I am in my eighties! The special Audi deserves a review completely its own. What a car! I loved the Swiss exercise ball wheels. And it looks like parking garages are going to have marvelous improvements over their present-day counterparts.
Yeah, there wasn't a whole lot of Dr. Asimov left intact, but it was okay. The skeleton was there. And although I hate to say it, the movie I, Robot was funnier than any Asimov book I have yet experienced. (He never did write great one-liners.) I think Isaac himself would have enjoyed it.