Product: I, Robot [Region 2] (2004)
Rating: 5.0
More connected with classic Sci-Fi than many realize
This film borrows its title from a collection of short stories written by Isaac Asimov (there actually is no individual story or novel called "I, Robot"). It also borrows several concepts and terminology from Asimov's "Robot" series, particularly the "Three Laws of Robotics", the first of which is: "A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm". The movie received a lot of criticism from classic sci-fi fans because it is not really an adaptation of any of Asimov's stories, and because some of the action actually VIOLATES the Laws of Robotics.However, this movie has a deeper connection to classic science fiction than many fans realize. This movie combines themes from Asimov's "Robot" stories with ANOTHER classic science fiction story. This story is "With Folded Hands" by Jack Williamson. In the Jack Williamson story, a bunch of black robots appear on earth ostensibly to "help" human beings but in reality to protect them from any danger at all. By the end of the story humans are being lobotomized and kept safely in padded rooms where they can't be harmed.By combining these two themes, the movie makers are addressing the central conundrum of Asimov's "Laws", namely, how far can you go to protect humans before they're no longer human? In addition, the movie's ending addresses another theme from Asimov's "Robot" stories that is actually much deeper than the "Laws": as robots drift towards becoming self-aware sentient beings, how will this affect them and humanity? What will they (and we) turn into? On the surface this movie appears to pay minimal service to Asimov's writings, but in reality it is built solidly upon a foundation of classic science fiction ideas.