Exciting Popcorn Sci-Fi Actioner Pits Suspicious Cop Against A Sneaky Robot Revolution

Rating: 6/10 (12 August 2008)

In Chicago in 2035, the vast USR corporation is about to mass-launch its latest multi-purpose robot, the NS-5. Spooner is a detective with an ingrained mistrust of robots who is called to investigate the apparent suicide of USR's chief designer. As he delves into the death, he starts to suspect a calamitous mechanoid conspiracy is being plotted ...
Although sharing a title with Isaac Asimov's classic 1950 book of nine short stories about human-robot interaction, thus movie is really a totally different yarn. It does incorporate some themes and ideas from a few of the tales though, notably the three famous laws of robotics. As a story on its own though it's pretty good; the robot revolution and the red herrings are skilfully handled, as is the classic conspiracy device of the hero's increasing desperation leading all around him to write him off as a wacko. It's also chock-full of neat effects/action sequences created by an army of digital artists and stuntpeople; the finale at the top of the skyscraper is a great set-piece, but Sonny's initial escape and recapture in the robot factory and the car chase in the tunnel are excellent too. There's also a first-rate mellow score by Marco Beltrami, which gives the movie almost all its mood and texture amid the pyrotechnics. The weak point I have to say is the cast. Smith is okay in the lead but too hung up on looking hip with sharp threads and wisecracks (and silly earrings that make him look like someone's Aunty Peg) to convince. Like all big stars he's much better when he isn't acting like one. Moynahan isn't much fun, neither glamorous nor sparky, in a muted part with no love interest and little to do. The best performance by a long chalk is Tudyk as the not-what-he-seems-to-be robot Sonny, in a digitised acting role that rivals Andy Serkis in The Lord Of The Rings. In contrast to his co-stars, Sonny is full of nuance and little tricks - philosophical, funny, sad, dynamic and in many ways more human. The movie borrows ideas from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner and The Terminator, and carries on the unintentional tradition of having the robot characters be easily the most interesting. Imaginatively written by Jeff Vintar (Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within) and Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind). Proyas has made a visually spectacular and exciting film, which is an excellent night's entertainment, but as with so many big-budget techno-fuelled corporate blockbusters is a little lacking in humanity and warmth, which is kinda ironic given what the story's about.