I Robot – Film Review

The futuristic film of ‘I Robot’ is set in the city of Chicago in the present year of 2035. The producers have added unique presence and graphics causing the film to come alive. The director Alex Proyas has certainly caught ‘Sci-fi’ enthusiasts with an ultramodern film. His latest epic story tells us what life would be with robotic workers.

It’s just another typical day for Detective Spooner (played by Will Smith). Spooner a homicide agent is investigating a suicide death of his dearest friend Dr. Alfred Lanning, the father of USR robotics. Alfred Lanning created the three robot laws:

1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction allow a human being to come to harm

2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the first law

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second law

Lanning had many creations, one being a mainframe computer system called V.I.K.K.I which controlled all of USR’s robots. Spooner is called out to the scene of the death were he realises that Lanning couldn’t have killed himself. Whilst Spooner is inside USR’s premises he is escorted by Dr. Calvin (played by Bridget Moynahan). They are confronted by a NS-5 robot in Lanning’s office, which raises a gun towards Spooner, It takes a moment of confrontation until any shoots are fired, and the robot scuttles out of the window. Calvin enlightens Spooner about how any damaged robots visit the USR Robotics repair facilities.

The NS-5 robot escaped out of the factory but was confronted by the local enforcement agents. Spooner visits Alfred Lanning’s home to find out what Lanning thought was wrong with the robots. He finds that Lanning had a feeling that the robots would evolve into mean machines. Alfred had created Sunny the one of a kind robot to have dreams and feelings. Lanning’s home is scheduled for demolition but the time automatically changes with detective Spooner inside. Like every true American hero Will Smith makes a heroic exit by jumping from the deteriorating building.

Detective Spooner wants to access denied file on the USR’s mainframe but Lawrence Robertson (played by Bruce Greenwood) owner of USR refuses the transaction. He sends two lorries of NS-5 robots to kill Spooner but he survives the conflict between man and machine. All of the robots insurgent towards human beings around the world, they enforce a curfew but the human race revolt to the take over but are forced to go back to their homes. Lawrence Robertson the founder and owner of USR robotics has ordered Sunny to kill him because after all Sonny doesn’t have to obey the 3 laws of robotics. No one knows why Lawrence wanted to die but he started the robotic invasion.

I Robot is similar to ‘Minority Report’ and ‘Robocop’ which are two films with great robotic features and characteristics. Of course in any type of modern day movie you need a first-class cast. During the film ‘I Robot’ the lead character is Will Smith who is acting the part of Detective Spooner. Will Smith has had a very successful career with other movie premiers, he has stared in ‘Men in Black 1&2’ and ‘Wild Wild West.’ His performance in ‘I Robot’ was outstanding, you couldn’t have selected anyone better for this role, as he adds humour and heroic feel to the action packed scenes. Will Smith creates that traditional hero ending by risking his own life to shutdown the USR mainframe computer (V.I.K.K.I) by freefalling from the top of the building to inject the antidote. The angered robots eventually malfunction when the computer system is destroyed, the robots are then sent for storage in locked containers never to return.