I, Robot

Release Date: July 16, 2004
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Director: Alex Proyas
Screenwriter: Jeff Vintar, Akiva Goldsman
Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, Chi McBride, Alan Tudyk
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense stylized action, and some brief partial nudity)
Official Website: IRobotmovie.com

Plot Summary: Will Smith stars in this action thriller inspired by the classic short story collection by Isaac Asimov, and brought to the big screen by dynamic and visionary director Alex Proyas ("Dark City," "The Crow"). In the year 2035, robots are an everyday household item, and everyone trusts them, except one, slightly paranoid detective (Smith) investigating what he alone believes is a crime perpetrated by a robot. The case leads him to discover a far more frightening threat to the human race. "I, Robot" uses a spectacular, state-of-the-art visual effects technique to bring a world of robots to life.

I, Robot is more successful at science fiction than action, but is faulty in both. What comes clearly through in the interpretations of Asimov’s works in I, Robot and Bicentennial Man is the thematic interplay of free will, control, logic and the ability to experience emotions. For the scientist and philosopher this offers food for thought. What looks like a film about the uselessness and dangers of robots is really an argument about their usefulness by creative and responsible human hands and minds....more

            The narrative is based around Asimov’s own stated principles of robotics where a robot can not harm a human life and of course the plot involves the first robot to ever be accused of murder. Technophobia is the thematic constant of most science fiction films and I, Robot explores this issues interestingly centring on Will Smith’s annoying Detective Spooner, who when not occupied with wise-cracking is torn between his hatred of robots and the acceptance of his own artificial mechanical implants....more