I,Robot Review

[fan 4ever]

I, Robot
Tuesday - July 20, 2004
DeMarco Williams
The Popular Science-inspired concept presented here is actually kind of spooky: fully-functioning robots as housekeepers, day-care providers, trashmen and protectors. The idea, of course, pleases forward-thinking liberals. But what of the people who’ll be put out of work? Or what of the shear laziness potential that’s sure to rise with an increase in dutiful machines?

Will Smith’s Del Spooner wonders about all of that. He’s the old-school type that, if he went to the grocery store and the only open aisle was the worker-free ‘U-Scan’ line, he’d would wait an additional 30 minutes simply to have his items scanned by a real person. The man simply doesn’t like robots. It’s the kind of disdain where everything they do is questioned. So, it makes for interesting cinema that Smith plays a zealous Chicago cop living in the year 2035, a time when robots are like Kanye West guest spots – almost everywhere.

Bruce Greenwood’s Bill Gates-like character is the reason all the lil’ C-3POs are household staples. His company, U.S.R., is on the verge of the largest machine shipment ever when an acclaimed scientist behind the project mysteriously crashes several stories to the company’s lobby. Smith, of course, feels that some digitized digits are responsible for the crime. Everyone else –the police chief, Smith’s grandma, the cute scientist helping on the investigation— calls him crazy.

By about halfway through this Issac Asimov book adaptation, you’ll call any Hollywood producer crazy who even considers doing another summer action romp without Jada Pinkett’s husband for the lead. As Will investigates the murder, he’s equally charismatic during interrogations, dramatic in chase sequences and comedic everywhere in between.

Towards the movie’s end, there’s a moment when Smith and Greenwood are talking and the inquiring cop lets out a serious sneeze. “Sorry, I’m allergic to bull****,” Smith says. Not 15 minutes later, he and the good scientist (Bridget Moynahan) are atop the USR building, battling a gang of robots (that look really impressive, by the way) in a bang-bang action sequence that leaves you and the camera dizzied.

The whole movie moves at that rabid pace. As you’d expect, Smith comes out on top – much in the same way you will for checking out this action flick.

SOURCE: Hiphopdx.com