Go for a visual spectacle and a bit of fun, and you shall be rewarded.

Rating: Null/10 (12 August 2004)

I Robot could have easily become a high concept techno-funky bore of a film. Or it could have resorted to being a preachy " End of the World" melodrama.
Fortunately, I Robot is neither which makes it an entertaining yet intelligent piece of cinema. The film's presentation of Chicago 2035 is subtle enough to remain humane, yet with enough special effects and mega-sets to create an eye boggling spectacle. Overall, the film is clear and user friendly while dealing with big bad themes of free will, morality, computer/human interaction and consciousness.
Will Smith is in fine form in a familiar leading man role in an action flick. The actors in supporting roles also give strong performances, even if the role of Dr Craven seems a bit strained and underwritten. The star of the show is no doubt the title role of the robot, "Sonny", although the extent to which we thank CGI effects or Alan Tudyk for this is uncertain.
Only two things irked me: they were too heavy handed with the product placement, and there's an unnecessary nude shower scene involving the doctor. Mind you, we were also offered more than adequate eyeful of Will Smith's more than adequate torso, so maybe that restores the balance.
Sure, the special effects are more important to this film than other elements, but the directors of I Robot have the grace to not pretend otherwise. The end result is an enjoyable and engaging film, a complete surprise given the banalities and excesses I was expecting from a film of the sci-fi genre.