All lights and clockwork, no heart

Rating: 5/10 (13 March 2005)

"All lights and clockwork, no heart" - this is the opinion technophobic cop Del Spooner has of robots.
I would like to apply the same evaluation to the movie. "I, Robot" is a typical Hollywood summer blockbuster. Stunning visuals, state-of-the-art effects, a high-profile star shooting up baddies and spouting one-liners - all the bells and whistles are there - combined with a total absence of heart. They could have titled it "Van-Helsing II - 300 years later", and nobody would've raised an eyebrow.
Most of the characters are so one-dimensional and cartoonish - The Rational Scientist, The Greedy CEO, The Kindly Grandma - that after a few minutes the astute moviegoer can finish their lines for them. Will Smith's Detective Spooner is only a tad more complex. Oh, who am I kidding, he's just as cardboard-cut as the rest, with Smith's usual charm being the character's only saving grace. The most human character of all is a Robot. Intentional irony by the filmmakers, perhaps? The plot (and I use the word very loosely) is haphazardly cooked from several Isaac Asimov's short stories. A brief summary, without dipping into spoiler-land: Spooner (Smith) suspects the robots are 'up to no good'. He starts investigating, and in the process generates work for 20 stunt men, 200 special effects people, and some 2000 extras. And after all he still has the nerve to complain that Robots are taking jobs away from people! Sheesh! I gave this movie 5/10, only for the visuals (which, I repeat, are truly amazing). I strongly suggest you watch it on DVD, with the volume muted, so you can pretend there is some deep plot and clever dialogue going on.
If it's plot you seek, just get the Asimov book.