Fine representation of robots with cracking mystery to match

Rating: 8/10 (24 January 2009)

Del Spooner (Smith) investigates the apparent suicide of a Doctor at the very place his robots are made.
Will Smith has shone in the Sci-Fi genre during his career. From his fun loving cop in Men in Black to his heroic romantic in Independence Day, the man has become a star in the genre. Here, The Fresh Prince takes what should be an ordinary cop and turns him into a paranoid detective with a personal vendetta and a hard nut attitude that outdoes his previous Sci-Fi roles.
The visionary set is stunning with a wonderful depiction of a possible future, though the '2035' is too optimistic. The design of the robots is an interesting factor to the film's central theme. The human like design and gentle image takes the whole concept of robots on its head, especially considering the use of robots in other Sci-Fi films, in particular Terminator.
Though Smith shines and the graphics dazzle, I, Robot is all about the story and the concepts in which it debates.
Opening with a scene underwater we see three laws appear simultaneously across the screen. These laws are the rules to which robots must obey to ensure human survival. This concept raises so many issues and points throughout this mystery that you feel a part of it and are keen to answer the many questions it raises. How will robots take to humans? How can machines have feelings? With the depiction of the creations I, Robot establishes itself as a intriguing mystery with its own agenda.
The narrative is usually fast and flowing though there are lapses with questions of realism with just in time scenarios. The mystery of the suicide case twists and turns all the way through maintaining the film's entertainment purpose. The inclusion of the depiction of robots and the future is a joyous extra.
Many sci-fi films overdo the action. Terminator 3, the two Matrix sequels are all guilty of conforming to cinematic convention. I, Robot maintains its purpose by having a soild mystery to work around, including the action when necessary and the realism is usually perfect.
I, Robot is a entertaining sci-fi that balances the action and crime case perfectly and with its representation of emotions in humans and robots, and a sharp narrative to match, is a welcoming view.