I, Robot (2004)
The only robot here is the Hollywood
Summer Blockbuster Movie Machine.
I, Robot?
I, Not Impressed
Still, I was really surprised at
how much I liked "I, Robot." I mean, the thought of
Isaac Asimov's science-fiction classic being turned
into a Will Smith vehicle by Hollywood was really
disgusting to me. What I didn't know and couldn't
have known is that the film would be a subtle essay
on prejudice and genocide.
Of course, having an African-American
in the lead role then makes perfect sense. It adds
the zing of an unspoken double standard that elevates
the film above the ordinary sci-fi summer film. And
Smith, for all his goofiness and mugging, does a pretty
decent job here.
He's aided by a wonderful director,
of course, Alex Proyas, who has proved himself quite
adept at handling dark, apocalyptic films with releases
like "The Crow" and "Dark City" to his credit. Proyas
keeps everything fairly standard to Hollywood's expectations
but also brings a nice visual sense to the film. The
images here, much of them computer generated, are
always cool to see. Proyas, handling what surely must
be the biggest film of his career, by Hollywood standards
anyway, does an excellent job. This looks as cool
as Spielberg's "A.I." or "Minority Report" at least.
Smith also has some pretty good
co-stars with Bruce Greenwood and James Cromwell providing
nice support. Bridget Moynahan is a particular standout
as Smith's romantic love interest who may or may not
end up in his arms at film's end. Although a bit reminiscent
of Sandra Bullock in "Demolition Man," Moynahan does
a nice job here and has oodles of chemistry with Smith.
The only one not really served here is Shia LeBeouf,
who is wasted in a role as a street youth. LeBeouf
has absolutely nothing to do and appears almost out
of nowhere at the end of the film to do... absolutely
nothing worthwhile. Either his work ended up on the
cutting room floor or they thought his presence here,
which would be mentioned in every teen magazine on
the newsstand all summer long, would sell tickets
to teenaged girls. It's a shame to see a cute and
talented young hottie like LeBeouf be absolutely wasted
here.
Well, he's not exactly completely
wasted, but it's close. Smith has somehow turned this
film into a bit of an autobiographical vehicle, infusing
it with an homage to his loving grandmother who raised
him. Here his Detective Spooner also has a strong,
all-knowing grandmother as his main family member
and mentor. And while Smith has spoken openly about
how his own real grandmother encouraged him not to
use foul language, he does use some dirty language
here. He rectifies this by making LeBeouf's street
kid a sort of charge of Spooner's and the Detective
continually chastises the kid's somewhat "adult" language
and tells him not to cuss.
"I, Robot" may just be a bit of
mindless, Hollywood, popcorn fluff at first glance
but Smith makes it enjoyable, human and realistic.
His character arc, while a bit typical, is quite nice.
But it is the film's subtextural ideas about prejudice
based on personal hurt and stereotyping that really
make the film an interesting watch. That's pretty
impressive for a Will Smith summer popcorn flick.
Notes
Also with Chi McBride and Alan Tudyk.
Wil Wheaton auditioned for the part
of the robot.
Viewed in Austin in August 2004.
