Much better than expected...

Rating: 8/10 (19 July 2004)

**Spoilers ahead**
I am not familiar with Isaac Asimov's short stories on which the movie is based on (although I hear they're quite good). However, the idea of dealing with rebellious machines is not a concept that is foreign to movies. Despite that I still can't help but like I, Robot.
The movie itself is a mix of drama, mystery, and action. One movie reviewer interviewed on CNN called that mix a weakness; that the movie can't decide what it wants to be. I on the other hand consider that one of the movie's greatest strengths. I, Robot takes place in the year 2035, where a scientist who works for U.S. Robotics is killed. Investigators initially conclude that it was a suicide, but Detective Del Spooner (played by Will Smith) does not believe that explanation, and thinks that there is something going on, specifically with the robots that the scientist was working on. This flair of mystery and suspense in finding out who-dun-it, and what will happen next is what kept me glued to my seat more than anything else.
Visually, the set design bares some resemblance to Minority Report. But where Minority Report's sets are full of curves, and clear glass, I, Robot has a far more metallic and "dirtier" feel to it, which works quite well. The robot animation was quite well done, but ironically the graphics for the lower model NS-4 robots actually look more realistic than the higher model NS-5 robots that are the movie's centerpiece. The action scenes themselves are very well done, with plenty of guns ablazing against killer robots, although admittedly they did over use the bullet-time effect a little.
Alan Tudyk, who plays Sonny the robot in the movie, deserves some credit for his acting chops. Now you may be asking, why should a computer animated creation be credited for acting? Well, similar to Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies, Alan wore a special green suit, which the animators used to draw every movement and facial expression he makes. His effort shows through remarkably well in the movie. At times, you can't help but feel something for what Sonny is going through. Will Smith also does a good job in this movie, although it does take some time to warm up to his character. Some critics accuse Del Spooner for being a stereotypical cop, but I disagree. Spooner can often be temperamental, but he has a sarcastic personality that the viewer will quickly like.
As good as I, Robot is however, it is not without its flaws. For example, there is this one scene where a mob of people confronts the rebelling NS-5's. You would think that seeing what these robots were capable of in terms of physical abilities that the average person wouldn't be dumb enough to go toe to toe with them, but they do.
I, Robot combines the best elements of previous movies, such as Minority Report's set designs, A.I.'s sentimentality, Blade Runner's philosophical pondering, and the Matrix's and Terminator's action scenes. Yet, this movie manages to take these elements, and make them their own, which is more than I could say about another recently released movie, King Arthur. Next to Spider-Man 2, I, Robot goes beyond standard sci-fi offerings, and is arguably one of the most entertaining movies this summer, and perhaps the entire year.
I give I, Robot a solid 8/10!