I, Robot (2004)
Directed by Alex Proyas
In 2035, where robots are commonplace and abide by the three laws of robotics, a technophobic cop investigates an apparent suicide. Suspecting that a robot may be responsible for the death, his investigation leads him to believe that humanity may be in danger.
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14 films that influenced I, Robot
What critics say influenced I, Robot
This is because, like other movies in this dystopian vein (including ''Blade Runner'' and ''A.I.''), it proposes that machines have feelings, too.
Picky sci-fi fans will complain that the film is glaringly derivative of "Blade Runner" and borrows a key story element of "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Or, perhaps more accurately, call it a hash of Philip K. Dick movies, a freshly microwaved mix of Blade Runner and Minority Report topped with a big dollop of cheese.
"I, Robot" doesn't do for the eponymous book what "Blade Runner" did for Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"
I, Robot is meant to be a cautionary tale, but we've been cautioned so many times -- starting with Michael Crichton's 1973 Westworld, in which amusement park robots go on a murderous rampage -- that it's become a little like listening to white noise or a Britney Spears album.
Picky sci-fi fans will complain that the film is glaringly derivative of "Blade Runner" and borrows a key story element of "2001: A Space Odyssey."
While that does not speak highly for " 2001: A Space Odyssey " (1968), it is certain that the screenplay for this film, by Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman , is not adult, complex or worthwhile, although it is indeed science fiction.
It never occurs to Spooner to pull out a vintage copy of The Terminator and show just what happen to the world when machines beget machines.
But it’s more than that for Spooner, who’s something of a bastard child of Lethal Weapon‘s Martin Riggs and The Terminator‘s Kyle Reese.
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The way the robots swarm after Spooner during one of I, Robot's centerpiece scenes is reminiscent of the aliens' attack patterns in James Cameron's Aliens.
Still, by substituting the dark plushness of his previous The Crow and Dark City for a cold, metallic sheen reminiscent of Minority Report —and by persistently recalling the metaphysical conundrums of A.I. and the apocalyptic doomsday scenario of Terminator 2—Proyas bestows upon his adventure the inescapable pall of redundancy.
More than a few elements are reminiscent of Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, particularly the futuristic vehicles and highways.
Directed by Alex Proyas and "suggested by" the famed book of short stories by Isaac Asimov, I, Robot is spectacularly derivative, proudly wearing its references to other movies -- including but not limited to Robocop, Minority Report, Terminator, Blade Runner and, improbably enough, Gangs of New York -- like a medal of honor.
The question most on my mind pre-I, Robot was can any futuristic post- Minority Report sci-fi thriller really stack-up to Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece?
Or, perhaps more accurately, call it a hash of Philip K. Dick movies, a freshly microwaved mix of Blade Runner and Minority Report topped with a big dollop of cheese.
It all feels too familiar by a half, from a premise which reminds at key junctures of Alex Proyas' superior 2004 thriller " I, Robot ," to a tone that recalls Steven Spielberg's 2002 pic " Minority Report ," to set design and art direction clearly inspired by?but far less vivid than?"Blade Runner."
Still, by substituting the dark plushness of his previous The Crow and Dark City for a cold, metallic sheen reminiscent of Minority Report —and by persistently recalling the metaphysical conundrums of A.I. and the apocalyptic doomsday scenario of Terminator 2—Proyas bestows upon his adventure the inescapable pall of redundancy.
The former is hardly surprising, since director Alex Proyas has evoked that cult favorite at least twice already (The Crow and Dark City).
I am referring to the battle to decide on approach to take for the film and the combatants are Alex Proyas, the visionary director of the brainy cult hit "Dark City" working on his first big-studio project, and Will Smith, the big-time actor (and executive-producer) who can be an interesting actor when prodded (as he was in the underrated "Ali") but who is too often willing to coast by with nothing other than his wisecracking hipster persona.
Director Alex Proyas ( Dark City , The Crow) does an admirable job integrating the digital effects with the live action.
It's been said that no man can serve two masters; the same is apparently true of robots, or at least "I, Robot," which weds the Gothic gloominess of director Alex Proyas ("The Crow," "Dark City") to the jokey machismo that's been Will Smith's stock in trade for years.
Director Alex Proyas (“The Crow,” “Dark City”) balances “I, Robot's” dramatic elements with an eye-popping environment.
Still, by substituting the dark plushness of his previous The Crow and Dark City for a cold, metallic sheen reminiscent of Minority Report —and by persistently recalling the metaphysical conundrums of A.I. and the apocalyptic doomsday scenario of Terminator 2—Proyas bestows upon his adventure the inescapable pall of redundancy.
The former is hardly surprising, since director Alex Proyas has evoked that cult favorite at least twice already (The Crow and Dark City).
Director Alex Proyas ( Dark City , The Crow) does an admirable job integrating the digital effects with the live action.
It's been said that no man can serve two masters; the same is apparently true of robots, or at least "I, Robot," which weds the Gothic gloominess of director Alex Proyas ("The Crow," "Dark City") to the jokey machismo that's been Will Smith's stock in trade for years.
Director Alex Proyas (“The Crow,” “Dark City”) balances “I, Robot's” dramatic elements with an eye-popping environment.
Alex Proyas ("Dark City"/"The Crow") directs this sci-fi thriller about robots in revolt.
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(Consider instead 1987's Robocop, which expertly incorporated a heartbreaking gravity into its violent-yet-satirical framework.)
…especially Blade Runner and The Matrix series.
In fact, his only contribution to I, Robot seems to be stealing from The Matrix and Spider-Man, giving the robots martial arts skills and allowing them to climb walls.