You, Will Smith

Rating: 7/10 (26 August 2011)

In the year 2035, the citizens of Chicago are on track for meeting technological tragedies predicted by pop duo Denny Zager and Rick Evans, among others. Everyone who's anyone has a personal robot. Not to worry, our mechanical friends follow robot rules; they are programmed to be helpful only, follow orders, and would never harm a human being. One person in this scenario is "robo-phobic" - perfectly proportioned policeman Will Smith (as Del "Spoon" Spooner). Mr. Smith does not trust society's robot helpers...
Smith is suspicious when his robot designer pal (huh?) James Cromwell (as Alfred Lansing) is found splattered on the sidewalk outside of his skyscraper office. The incident is reported to be a suicide, but Smith suspects one of Mr. Cromwell's personal robots, blue-eyed Alan Tudyk (as Sonny), is responsible. Smith goes against robotics psychiatrist Bridget Moynahan (as Susan Calvin), corporate robot provider Bruce Greenwood (as Lawrence Robertson), and police chief Chi McBride (as John Bergin), among others...
Smith is pumped to perfection, spits blood, and possesses incredible super-strength. Ironically, there is no sex in "I, Robot" with Smith only mentioning he wouldn't bed Mr. Greenwood for all the money in the world. A hat is tipped to Harold Lloyd, apparently resurgent in popularity, and cussing streetwise Shia LaBeouf (as Farber) tips his hat to the younger generation...
Science fiction robot writers Otto Binder and Isaac Asimov, the later acknowledged herein, effectively used the subtexts prejudice and fear of technology in their thought-provoking stories. Both themes are present in this update; arguably and unfortunately, they are perversely celebrated. Also note the traumatic event from super-human Smith's past does not support his instincts at all; rather, it supports the robot acts without emotion. While lacking gray matter, this is a well-produced and entertaining production.
******* I, Robot (7/15/04) Alex Proyas ~ Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, Alan Tudyk