"I, Robot" reviewed

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

First of all, no one needed to see Will Smith's ass. That was just unnecessary.

I haven't read Asimov in a very long time, I'll admit that up front. Nor have I ever read the book this movie was based from. But knowing the general premise of Asimov's writings, this movie was in a whole different ballpark. Asimov didn't believe in the "robots and machines eradicating humans from the planet" paranoia that has gripped the world ever since the Industrial Age. And for the record, he wrote the "three laws" in that movie, yet for some reason no one felt it necessary to even open up with a quote or something even acknowledging the guy. Meanwhile, the movie takes the idea of machines turning on their creators to epic proportions... as a friend of mine put it, "my g/f is going to quote this movie as an excuse not to trust ATMs/coffee machines/insert-electronic-here ever again." So, in true Hollywood style, they cast Will Smith to do some ass-kicking, give him a nifty robotic arm, and blow stuff up for awhile. Yes, the special effects were very nice, but as we've learned in the past few years, special effects can NOT carry a movie. *cough* matrix reloaded *cough cough*...

All that said, it WAS pretty entertaining and a decent way to spend a Friday night, just don't expect an intellectually-stimulating sort of entertaining.

 

[wfbberzerker]

hell i knew that just from the fact that it stars will smith.

 

[Chiboy]

You suck at teh review.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Thank you, going out to Siskel & Ebert there.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I liked the movie until the robots suddenly started going crazy. It was way out-of-character for the film's atmosphere. Totally ruined it. And the explanation of why is just fvcking stupid. It's a great movie until the huge "battle scene" with the old and new robots. After that, the movie went to hell. Before that, it was a GREAT flick!

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
I liked the movie until the robots suddenly started going crazy. It was way out-of-character for the film's atmosphere. Totally ruined it. And the explanation of why is just fvcking stupid. It's a great movie until the huge "battle scene" with the old and new robots. After that, the movie went to hell. Before that, it was a GREAT flick!

All in all what'd you think? Worth the 8/9 bucks? I'm hedging whether or not to catch this 2morrow.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: KevinH

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
I liked the movie until the robots suddenly started going crazy. It was way out-of-character for the film's atmosphere. Totally ruined it. And the explanation of why is just fvcking stupid. It's a great movie until the huge "battle scene" with the old and new robots. After that, the movie went to hell. Before that, it was a GREAT flick!

All in all what'd you think? Worth the 8/9 bucks? I'm hedging whether or not to catch this 2morrow.

The first half of the movie, YES. MORE than what I was expecting. Well worth the money. However, the last half or less was "significantly less worth it" to put it mildly.

 

[cw42]

i read the book before i went to the see the movie. I must say the book was quite interesting. The movie itself: eh, it was alright. Some of the acting was kind of cheesy, but i was satisfied with the movie. It was fun as hell to watch Sonny kickin the shizzle out of the other robots, and i liked his "M. Bison" move lol.

OP: It's obvious why hollywood would change the story. The original book is just a couple of short stories where something goes wrong with a robot(s), and they think of how to fix it (not quite that dramatic). I assume the actual movie was inspired by one of the sub stories where a govt funded project needed special robots to be built. So, they ordered like 50 robots that had modified the three rules of robotics. One of the modified robots was having a conflict of rules, and Dr. Calvin was sent in to find out which robot was having this conflict (it was hiding among the 49 other robots, and lying to humans... which is a big no no). So, yeah, sorry for the confusing explaination Go read the book.

hmm, i'm wondering if i should read some of asimov's other books, i've only read "I, Robot'. My dad has a collection of a bunch of them, just havn't bothered reading them. Any suggestions on which to read first?

 

[zener]

but let's face it, nothing beats Arnie baby or Blade Runner

 

[Platypus]

Isaac Asimov is rolling in his grave right about now.

 

[bleeb]

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
hell i knew that just from the fact that it stars will smith.

 

[OokiiNeko]

cw42,

Caves of Steel is the first in the Robot series. Then read The Naked Sun.

Do not read Robots and Empire until you have read all the Robot and all the Foundation books.

 

[Nebor]

I saw it tonight as well. It was ok. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's probably a 6 or a 7. I thought it had the potential to be great, but seemed to degenerate into a generic action movie towards the end.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
I haven't read Asimov in a very long time, I'll admit that up front. Nor have I ever read the book this movie was based from. But knowing the general premise of Asimov's writings, this movie was in a whole different ballpark. Asimov didn't believe in the "robots and machines eradicating humans from the planet" paranoia that has gripped the world ever since the Industrial Age.

Actually in Asimovs books, Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun, and Robots of Dawn, there is a fear/distrust of robots by humans still living on Earth (maybe in other's as well but those + I, Robot are the only ones I've read recently). And in the book "I, Robot" IIRC humans were so fearful of robots that no robots were allowed on Earth.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but from the trailer and such it seems like the movie fits in more w/Asimov's later robot works and not any of the short stories that make up "I, Robot", but "I, Robot" is more well known and the name is used for that reason.


Lethal

 

[Ikonomi]

Originally posted by: Nebor
I saw it tonight as well. It was ok. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's probably a 6 or a 7. I thought it had the potential to be great, but seemed to degenerate into a generic action movie towards the end.

The question is, did you benefit from seeing Willard Smith's bootay?

Overall, I enjoyed the movie a lot. Kung fu robot Sonny was tight. It was a fun action flick, but I definitely wouldn't have enjoyed it as much without Will Smith. I think he is great.

 

[dderidex]

hmm, i'm wondering if i should read some of asimov's other books, i've only read "I, Robot'. My dad has a collection of a bunch of them, just havn't bothered reading them. Any suggestions on which to read first?

If he has the Foundation Trilogy (he probably does, generally considered one of Asimov's greatest works), get that first.

It's slow.

No, seriously, it's REALLY, REALLY slow. But, it's VERY interesting once you get into it. (No, really, I'm not kidding. If reading the "Lord of the Rings" was like watching a Vin Diesel movie, then reading this book is like reading the Bible....in braille)

 

[oogabooga]

a hollywood movie based on a book not being accurate?
I guess i'll just have to watch it regardless. If it' was entertaining enough to be 6/7 it's probally good enough to watch, but not own.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.asimovlaws.com/articles/

 

[PatboyX]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
And for the record, he wrote the "three laws" in that movie, yet for some reason no one felt it necessary to even open up with a quote or something even acknowledging the guy.

well...other than the face that the title is obviously taken from asimov, the third credit is "suggested by the book by" and most people who would really care already know that...what were you looking for?
im very confused about what you are suggesting.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: PatboyX

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
And for the record, he wrote the "three laws" in that movie, yet for some reason no one felt it necessary to even open up with a quote or something even acknowledging the guy.

well...other than the face that the title is obviously taken from asimov, the third credit is "suggested by the book by" and most people who would really care already know that...what were you looking for?
im very confused about what you are suggesting.

As this type of thing generally goes with people, they're perfectly happy to assume they know something until they are expressly told otherwise. This is why half the teenage girls in the world out there believe Britney Spears wrote the song "Satisfaction".

Rather than putting the credit at the end (when everyone is ready to jump out of their seats as the movie has completely degenerated by then), it should have been at the start of the movie. You know, while they're flashing the "three laws" across the screen.

 

[opticalmace]

It was a good movie. I was actually quite impressed.

Go watch it.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I liked the movie too. A lot of action in it. It's not mind bending or anything, but it's a good movie. And yes, we didn't need to see Will Smith nude, or with tight boxer briefs on *gags*

What astounds me is all the user reviews on Yahoo - they make it sound like they're professional reviewers trying to use big words. Idiots. No one cares if you use big words.

 

[Squisher]

Just got back from seeing it.

I liked it too. I've read all of Azimov's books, but that was many years ago.

I was surprised to see Will Smith actually in a good movie.

I wonder if they'll do anymore of the series?




The ultimate spoiler is what happens at the very end of all the books. wink wink

 

[PlatinumGold]

...by someone with 0 credentials

would seem to me anyone that has paid to see a movie has at least SOME "credential" to have an opinion (review) of a movie.

as such, your opinion is just as valid as that of siskel and / or ebert.

 

[NickelTitanium]

so is it a thumb up or down your butt?!