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I, Robot

Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan
Director: Alex Proyas
Genre: Science Fiction
Year: 2004
Rating: 4 / 5

Director Alex Proyas has a short but distinguished film career, at least as far as fans of cult films are concerned. 1994’s The Crow exposed the world at large to this talented director, but the film, despite spawning multiple sequels, has never grown beyond its limited fan base. Dark City, the mind-bending tale that Proyas offered up four years later, was overshadowed by the Matrix phenomenon, but many still remember its haunting vision. With this sort of track record, it should be no surprise that Alex Proyas was the one to expertly guide I, Robot, the big budget adaptation of the Isaac Asimov story. Gifted with the kind of studio backing he has not previously known and handed bankable A-list star Will Smith, Proyas crafted one of the finest films of the year.

In 2035 Chicago, Detective Del Spooner (Will Smith) is a relic of a forgotten time. Robots dominate the landscape, handling a vast array of service industry jobs and gradually becoming a part of the fabric of daily life. Spooner has his own beef with these technological friends, and he has never been able to fully trust them. The rest of the populace does, however, thanks to the programming wisdom of US Robotics scientist Dr. Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell). Lanning ensured that all robots would obey three basic laws: (1) a robot can never harm a human; (2) a robot must obey all human orders unless it conflicts with the first law; and (3) a robot must protect itself unless it conflicts with the first two laws. Because of this, society has come to accept and depend on robots, but that may be about to change.

Called to investigate the murder of the esteemed Dr. Lanning, Spooner is faced with a perplexing set of clues. Lanning is found dead on the lobby floor of his own building, the result of an apparent suicide. However, his body fell from an office surrounded by protective glass and locked from the inside. Investigating further, Spooner finds that the only entity inside the room is a new NS-5 model robot, one that should not be capable of any involvement. When cornered, the robot runs, setting Spooner on a chase that brings him closer to the truth while isolating him further from his skeptical colleagues. Spooner must wrestle with his own beliefs about robots while trying to understand whether or not they are really bound by Lanning’s three laws.

While Isaac Asimov’s story is certainly a compelling one, the special effects in this film merit special mention. Aside from some opening sequences highlighting the modern city of Chicago, I, Robot’s effects are top-notch, with the robots themselves blending seamlessly into the action. Rather than detract from the goings-on, these robots actually share pivotal roles with Will Smith’s Detective Spooner. This film tackles the oft-used specter of robot intelligence, and it triumphs in a way that Steven Speilberg’s A.I.: Artificial Intelligence never did. We receive an exciting action film, a compelling tale, and a thoughtful science fiction story all rolled up in a nice package. I, Robot speaks of a tomorrow that may yet come to pass, but it spins a terrific yarn today.

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG-13.
Running Time: 115 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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