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Spooner is a Chicago cop in 2035 and robots have become indispensable
to we human folk. Don't worry you can still recognize them
so this isn't Terminator territory, but they have proved so
useful that US Robotics plans to get one into every home in
the world. This latest generation of robots will be linked
directly into a major supercomputer called VIKI (Virtual Interactive
Kinetic Intelligence).
This doesn't go down well with Spooner who finds himself
in hot water for his anti-metal-person attitude.
Then a murder case gets dropped into his lap (sort of…)
and Spooner feels the only thing that could have committed
the crime is a robot.
This is where he gets into deeper and even hotter water because
as any self-respecting and educated person in 2035 knows -
robots can't harm humans, it's against their three laws of
being.
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction,
allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where
such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection
does not conflict with the First or Secnd Law.
Sounds simple enough, but there clearly is a non-human agenda
being pushed by someone or something and it is up to Spooner
to solve the matter before it is too late.
Smith is very measured in his role as Spooner and keeps his
wisecracking self to a minimum. He is really well backed in
the acting stakes by Bridget Moynahan and James Cromwell,
although the star of the film could well be Alan Tudyk as
the robot Sonny.
I, Robot has stunning special effects with the character
Sonny being one of the most amazingly expressive robots you'll
ever see.
The film's video transfer backs up the quality of the imagery
with a superbly clear presentation. It does have a few instances
of artifacts, but nothing to worry about. The sound is imaginatively
3D.
This is science fiction of the first order and is eminently
re-watcheable.
Conclusion: Movie 90% Extras 70%
Continued: DVD details
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