Cop fights robots and disbelief in 2035

Rating: Null/10 (19 August 2004)

I,Robot has emerged as the latest effort to remind us all that burgeoning technology could easily outpace our readiness to embrace it. Director Alex Proyas has grabbed his chance with an impressive treatment that has excitement, spectacle and intrigue in equal measure.
Will Smith as Del Spooner shakes off most of his trade-mark laconicism,to become the troubled cop who-no-one-will-believe.Always a compelling motif, this was memorably seen in 'The Invasion of the Body Snatchers'.Spooner has had an earlier incident with a robot which has clouded his view of the film's Brave New World glorification of the robots endemic in the 2035 world society.His mistrust crucially focuses his mind on problems which only he can see, with assistance from a dead man.
Soon he meets up with Susan Calvin,(Bridget Moynahan), who works for the mighty USR Corporation that designs and churns out the robots.Initially, the scientist and the cop find it hard to communicate, her verbal eloquence jarring with his abruptness. But then Spooner takes of his shirt, and a melting transformation comes over the chest-struck Calvin as she traces her finger down his arm.Suddenly her long sentences, convoluted phrasing and 3/4 syllable utterances, give way to appreciative monosyllabic grunts.This is good news to the popcorn-hooked audience, who can now understand what Calvin is saying.
Together now, the duo take us on a roller coaster ride through danger, action and battles that thrill and entertain.Set pieces in this film are breathtaking and seamless.But with the action there is an excellent plot which keeps one jump ahead of your expectations. The ending is worth waiting for.
Proyas handles his stars well, although I missed Will Smiths loquaciousness and laconic delivery.Bridget Moynahan is intriguing as the stiff but later resourceful Calvin.
Perhaps the star of the film is Sonny, a new type of robot with feelings. His personification by image and the voice of Alan Tudyk is just right, both believable and touching.His plaintiff plea,"What am I?" to Spooner, is perhaps the films real tag line.
I,Robot is a good entertaining movie and is guaranteed to soak up two large buckets of popcorn. I enjoyed it as a spectacle and a mystery.Go see it with a chum and enjoy.