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I'd been let down by sci-fi
films too many times to imagine that this one was going to
be any better, not only that
but after seeing the trailer I’d written it off as
a bland action picture with a co-opted sc-fi flavour. But
'I, Robot 'simply blew me away. Will Smith is excellent,
the action is fantastic but best of all the sci-fi retains
its integrity and delivered the spine-tingle I so craved.
Smith looks better than ever as Del Spooner, a cop who is
called in to investigate the apparent suicide of old friend
and Robotics genius Dr Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell) When
it turns out that his prime suspect is a robot Spooner is
reminded that thanks to the three laws of robotics (written
by Isaac Asimov in his book I, Robot from which the film
borrows its title if little else) it is impossible for robots
to harm a human. In the face of this seemingly irrefutable
fact his superiors dismiss Spooner’s suspicions and
remove his badge. But as his investigation continues it becomes
apparent there is something awfully wrong with the Robots
mankind have welcomed into their homes.
I, Robot succeeds in retaining the grip of its sci-fi basis
throughout and never feels like an action film with a vague
science fiction theme. Not since 2001 and HAL 900, has there
been a more unnerving portrayal of artificial intelligence
executing its twisted logic over the fate of humans. This
ingredient underpins the movie and elevates it above the
likes of Minority Report
to the level of achievement the first instalment of The Matrix
managed in terms of chilling science fiction punch.
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