Worked for me, I can make no excuses.

Rating: 8/10 (23 July 2004)

Alex Proyas proved his genius to me through both The Crow and Dark City (the latter being one of my all-time favorites). I was hesitant about this film, but thankfully, it delivered in a way few summer blockbusters do (see also Troy).
For the first time since Independence Day, I actually liked Will Smith. The design of the robots reminded me of Chris Cunningham's video for Björk's "All Is Full of Love," and they were very well executed. Bridget Moynahan I initially hated, but one must realize, as a reclusive robot psychologist, her character was bound to be eccentric to the point of lacking normal human social characteristics, so I guess she had an excuse. James Cromwell I always like, and Bruce Greenwood was sufficiently douchey to distract one from...meh, I won't spoil it.
If there were digital stunt doubles used for the human characters, for the first time in cinematic history, I COULD NOT TELL. The action scenes and effects were top notch (I damn near had vertigo during the climactic battle). The story irritates with its apparent simplicity for a while, but when pieces start falling in, you see before you a timely commentary on man's relationship with technology, a winking allegory of law-enforcement racism, and the importance of humanity taking responsibility for its own creations.
Alex Proyas, you've delivered yet again.