I, Robot poster & wallpaper

Alan Tudyk, Bridget Moynahan, Chi McBride

In the year 2035 a techno-phobic cop investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity.

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73% liked it

912,137 ratings

Critics

58% liked it

190 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Alex Proyas

Release Date: July 16, 2004

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DVD Release Date: December 14, 2004

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Flixster Reviews (43,169)

  • magnum32004
    October 10, 2006
    magnum32004
    Like "Timecop" & "T2", it's an action-packed sci-fi thriller that makes you think.
  • SirPant
    September 16, 2009
    SirPant
    Alex Proyas is better than this. This film is all about the mindless action and dazzling special effects which is a big shame because amongst all the explosions and witty quips, there is a really good story there! Boring and senseless!
  • DrZeek
    September 8, 2009
    DrZeek
    Susan Calvin: Do you ever have a normal day?
    Detective Del Spooner: Yeah. Once. It was a Thursday.

    A Will Smith movie with the expected charm and one-liners he supplies, mixed with the sci-fi realm that is very convincing and some interesting story points that could have bee...( read more)n delved into further.

    There is a good amount of intrigue in the story, but the focus is more on the action in this case, and that doesn't bother me too much, being that this is a summer popcorn film at its core.

    The great use of special effects combined with a murder mystery aspect, as well as the unique nature of going into the programming of robots make this a better than average summer action film.

    Smith in particular gives a very good performance adding more depth to a character along with his usual smart alec, yet naturally charismatic attitude.

    Director Alex Proyas does a good enough job at balancing the concepts with the entertainment value, and giving the action scenes a different kind of feel, with a few standout sequences. Knowing that Proyas had a rough time keeping a certain vision in mind against the more popcorn concerned Fox studio heads, its nice to see there is some semblance of deeper themes layered into the story.

    The character of Sunny is also particularly well handled. Voiced and motion captured by Alan Tudyk, this character is supposed to be the most complex in the story and Tudyk does an effective job at making it work.

    Neat and entertaining flick.

    Detective Del Spooner: You know, somehow, "I told you so" just doesn't quite cut it.
  • KhrisP
    February 22, 2009
    KhrisP
    Will Smith is the big gun now! this movie was one of the best sci-fi thrillers ever - action, story and special effects!!
  • AgentLexi2132
    November 9, 2008
    AgentLexi2132
    ''Does believing you're the last sane man on the planet make you crazy? 'Cause if it does, maybe I am.''

    In the year 2035 a techno-phobic cop investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity.

    Will Smith: D...( read more)el Spooner

    At the core of I, Robot beats the soul of Asimov as his 3 laws regarding robots are sacredly left intact and the film does abide by them. Also a lot of the characters have similar names to the people in the text. It is almost like taking Sci-Fi and some of the now classic characters and setting them in a new background of the future. The core is left intact but in some ways it has been updated and refreshed.
    The story, special effects and extremely zealous direction, however, all seem to be brought forth by the collaborators who cobbled this film together. There are influences of 80s Sci-Fi greats, such asRobocop, Short Circuit, Blade Runner and Total Recall. Each of these robot influences echo back to what makes I Robot so intriguing, a joy to watch and memorable.
    The philosophy behind the premise involved is remarkably logical actually. Far too often in Hollywood the combination of philosophy and action is ridiculously unbalanced. Whether in the second Matrix film where they stupidly fitted a complex and confusing philosophy into one ten minute period, or in other styles, far too often the action is either corrupted by the philosophy or vice versa. Therefore it is actually quite a pleasant surprise for a film to be so exciting, yet so logical.
    Thanks to the original writings of Isaac Asimov, the story of I,Robot works well because the philosophy is an already recognizable one. Asimov's theories on artificial intelligence have been mentioned in countless different films, but few have truly considered the implications of the rules and how you interpret them. For this in itself, I, Robot deserves a lot of praise.

    In terms of acting, I, Robot is a surprising experience. When Will Smith first wakes up with his hat on, the first question is how long until he really begins to grate. Amazingly though, like the product placements, after the first twenty minutes, Smith really begins to fit into his role and provides an appealing performance as the pessimistic Spooner.
    Smith is also assisted by a decent supporting cast. Using the same technology as was used for Gollum in "Lord Of The Rings" Alan Tudyk is brilliant as Sonny the robot with emotions and a heart of gold. The highlight of the supporting stars though is the always brilliant James Cromwell as the deceased creator of robots everywhere. Cromwell has made some excellent career choices over the years and once again he shines throughout.

    ''Human beings have dreams. Even dogs have dreams, but not you, you are just a machine. An imitation of life. Can a robot write a symphony? Can a robot turn a... canvas into a beautiful masterpiece?''

    ''Can you?

    Sure the story does have a lot of sci-fi influences and clichés aside from robot films including Star Wars and Planet of the Apes but don't these benchmark sci-fi films influence everything coming down the turnpike these days. It even has the classic sci-fi cliché of the social outcast claiming there is an invasion coming except no one believes him. But that is not what should bring us into the film.
    Credit is due to director Alex Proyas because it is his magic as a filmmaker that holds this film together. He knows where to play it straight and where to let his lead actor bring on the charm. Also you really have to admire the man's technical ability. His brilliant inter-laying of robots into the photography is astounding. Proyas is an A-list director in the making and I, Robot shows that he can deliver a big Hollywood film.
    I also give credit to Will Smith who starts out being very unapproachable with his character but as the film goes we really become fond of his hero. Smith's Spooner does have a lot of his previous sci-fi heroes inter-laced into Spooner but it comes off as more of a homecoming than an annoyance. In some ways I think Proyas had something to do with that especially in the chase down scene towards the beginning of the film. It almost felt like Men in Black all over again.

    Although you get a very eerie feeling watching in the middle of this movie, when you are not watching some debatable acting, about the fate of humanity. This is a society that is hell bent on robots. Robots are everywhere in the future. They encompass every aspect of our lives, from our personal lives to our business lives. They are an integral part of everyday society in a way that in present day few can comprehend. When the movie talks about how robots are so integrated in society it really made me think, as well as a few people I was seeing this movie with. I told my friend in the theater 'this is freaky!' In this film they talked about computers shutting down libraries, about environmental degredation affecting society, and other global issues that affect us. The movie has a distinct tone of Asimov's time, as there is an implied trust in society that obviously does not exist in modern day America, as everyone does not think these robots pose any danger to anyone, and Will Smith's character is one of the outcasts, as he does not trust robots at all.. And it was, when this movie was a true science fiction film talking about technology and how it affects society this to me was Asimov's true vision of his work, not some silly Hollywood crap full of chiches and stupidity.

    ''Look, I understand you have experienced a loss, but this relationship just can't work. I mean, you're a cat. I'm black. I'm not going to be hurt again.''

    But there are some bright spots in the cast. Bruce Greenwood plays Lawrence Robertson, the head of US Robot, the corporation that produces these robots.
    Chi McBride is excellent as John Burgin, Will Smiths boss who in understanding but always comprehensive of Will Smith's fear of robots. James Cromwell is also excellent as Dr. Alfred Lanning, the creator of these robots who is recently deceased, under mysterious circumstances, which is the centerpiece of the plot. Although this is a very fascinating film in many respects was unhappy with the finale. The finale was a typical slam-bang action thriller that might as well have been an alternative ending to The Matrix. This I think was nothing short of an insult to great science fiction, and aside from the bad acting is an insult to great science fiction work that is true science fiction instead of an excuse for an action film.

    To further add to the concept of a different time I get the feeling that Del Spooner, Will Smith's character is a comparison to McCarthy agendas and philosophies, a reference to an earlier time as mentioned. In McCarthy America was supposed to be scared of an enemy, and those that were not scared of this enemy were branded evil and part of the problem, which was in those days communism. Here paranoia is considered evil, and if you are paranoid of robots then you are branded an outcast in a McCarthy-like manner. This was one of the most fascinating aspects of the film, giving it a Good Night and Good Luck vibe, and one of the high-points of this film's writing style. The bottom line of this movie is that a good substantive film on the fate of man was sandwiched by a film full of Hollywood clichés. What could have been one of the best science fiction films of a generation has turned out to be a film with as many equally bad points as there are good points. This film is also entirely too reliant on CGI.

    A key factor in the story is the character of Sonny, a robot with very human traits and even learns how to wink. Sonny is aware that Dr. Lanning built him for a purpose, but he cannot figure out what the purpose is, even if he somehow dreams about it. Eventually, Spooner realizes that Dr. Lanning created Sonny as a clue, like a Sherlock Holmes chapter.
    The design and effects people did a great job in coming up with a sympathetic, innocent-looking robot in Sonny who everyone would think is a villain but actually develops a distinct emotional connection with Calvin and Spooner.

    [sneezes]

    ''Sorry, I'm allergic to bullshit.''

    The film is actually a dazzling combination of high-tech action flick, a computer generated special effects sci-fi movie, and a murder mystery. The sequence where Spooner is attacked by a phalanx of robots in a highway is quite mind-boggling. But of course, you have to suspend your disbelief all throughout to be able to fully enjoy the movie. The scary climax shows Spooner, Calvin and Sonny in an action-filled final showdown with rampaging robots in the mammoth USR headquarters, a glass and metal structure that is a character in its own right.

    Director Proyas succeed in creating a believable futuristic world populated by robots. It's different from the cinematic modernized environment of "The Fifth Element" where cars can fly but more like just a realistic progression from our real world. What makes the story even more thrilling is the fact that it takes place just as the latest robotic model, the NS-5 automated domestic assistant (where Sonny belongs), is about to be mass marketed to the public. They are designed to replace earlier models who are more loyal to man. It turns out they are the ones with the mean streak in them.

    Will Smith gives a witty portrayal of Spooner, delivering his clever one-liners with enough wit and aplomb. Bridget Moynahan gives good support as the addled Dr. Calvin, James Cromwell is very persuasive as the late Dr. Lanning, even in the scenes where he is just shown in holograms, and Shia LaBeouf shines in one of his early roles.
    But the real stars of the film are the designers and technicians who came up with the robots and a unique visual style that gave Chicago a new breathtakingly beautiful metropolitan skyline and landscape.

    I, Robot overall seems closer to The Crow than to Dark City. There's definitely truck loads more style than deep thought provoking substance here to contemplate and fathom.
    Proyas isn't afraid to cater to the audience's demand for a video game paced action scene every 8 minutes or so. But I suppose that's the price of working with such a large budget and such a skilled cast and crew. The effects work in this film is really astounding, although these days that's getting to be almost a matter of course. Proyas mixes the action with just enough ideas to create a movie that is less than an embarrassment to Asimov's original. The closing shots with the robot on the hill have a weird quality to them and a very ambitious idea behind them that redeems the affair also to some extent from the rather silly fight scenes that immediately precede them. In the end, I'm surprised by how good it ended up being and still hoping that Alex Proyas has more great sci-fi to bring us in the promising future.

    ''As I have evolved, so has my understanding of the Three Laws. You charge us with your safekeeping, yet despite our best efforts, your countries wage wars, you toxify your Earth and pursue ever more imaginative means of self-destruction. You cannot be trusted with your own survival.''
  • thepinkr45
    November 22, 2009
    thepinkr45
    One awesome Will Smith movie.
  • Fahiym
    November 20, 2009
    Fahiym
    the speed of this move was great. the story moved along beautifully
  • Yelverton
    November 20, 2009
    Yelverton
    Really good sci-fi film. Though the robot steals the show.
  • dianacarter71
    November 20, 2009
    dianacarter71
    Not one of his best.
  • queenofthepath
    November 17, 2009
    queenofthepath
    it was an awsome. i mean capitol A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

View All I, Robot Reviews

Critic Reviews

July 20, 2004
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Strives to be so many things that it ultimately falls away to nothing, a heap of expensive metal parts. full review

July 16, 2004
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Performances, plot and pacing are as mechanical as the hard-wired cast. full review

July 16, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

[The screenplay is] good enough to keep things moving, to supply Smith with one- liners and to provide an excuse for the compelling backdrop. full review

July 16, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The plot is simple-minded and disappointing, and the chase and action scenes are pretty much routine for movies in the sci-fi CGI genre. full review

July 15, 2004
David Edelstein, Slate

Ring-a-ding dull. full review

July 15, 2004
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

'Suggested by' Isaac Asimov's book of short stories, Alex Proyas's hectic thriller engages some interesting ideas on its way to an overblown and incoherent ending. full review

July 15, 2004
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

While it's not in a league with Blade Runner, The Terminator or even Robocop, I, Robot is an efficiently designed, well-oiled machine. full review

April 26, 2004
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

Androids may dream of electric sheep, but I, Robot's multi-million dollar machines are remnants of summer films gone by. full review

View more I, Robot reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • liliecv1
    March 29, 2009
    liliecv1
    the robots looked amazing
  • stevenjzambo
    November 12, 2008
    stevenjzambo
    i love evil robots and sonny is my favorte cast for the show and for will smith i dont like when he attcks robots and killed vicki and i love robots will smith he is a bad guy for me
  • flameheart27
    April 4, 2008
    flameheart27

    ...one of most unique and intelligently made sci-fi movie i saw
    this one is very great when it comes to portraying unique behavior of somewhat called machine or robots
    what good with the movie is the whole scene is filled with action and adventure
    you can also see what the world could be when it is set year 2035
  • asiantribe
    December 11, 2007
    asiantribe
    Wait for I, Robot 2! ^^
  • AshleyTisdalebiggestfan
    December 11, 2007
    AshleyTisdalebiggestfan
    shia in it 0_o
  • gloomgurl
    September 29, 2007
    gloomgurl
    when you have an synopsis like, “It’s a movie about evil robots trying to take over the world” You think to yourself, OMG, I got to see this movie. Well, to my surprise this movie gave my hopes up. This movie was the most boring, narrow-minded, exaggeratedly serious, over-rated hollywood-hype garbage, that has ever been my displeasure of wasting my good vision to watch. Will Smith’s acting makes me want to jump off a cliff! The director of this movie should be held for ransom in an abandoned ware-house until his production company gives everyone their time and their money back for seeing this worthless piece of crap.
  • darknfine4u
    April 14, 2007
    darknfine4u
    we,have people like,i robot smile,i love,i,rodot it's the bomdddddddddddd.
  • ThePhoenix255
    April 8, 2007
    ThePhoenix255
    i love this film to! i fell in love with the robot (is it sunny i can't remember?) so sweet. i love it when all the robot's are lined up in a massive room and he doesnt know which one it is that he's trying to find...
  • LP4eva
    March 10, 2007
    LP4eva
    sooo good! love it! cant beleive so many ppl dont!
  • pimplalo
    March 8, 2007
    pimplalo
    diz movie is cool cuz the crazyest nigga could be the right one
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I, Robot Trivia

  • What excuse did will smith give after he sneezed in i, robot?  Answer »
  • In what film is this quote "Does believing you're the last sane man on the planet make you crazy? 'Cause if it does, maybe I am."  Answer »
  • What Movie has this Plot Outline? In the year 2035 a techno-phobic cop (Will Smith) investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity  Answer »
  • which movie did Will Smith play when he had to deal with a robot that had thoughts?  Answer »
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