Smith is Back.

But Instead of Cowboys or Aliens,

It's Robots.

The Stats:

Movie: I, Robot (2004) 20th Century Fox. PG-13

Lots of Action. Little blood.

Release: July16, 2004

Starring:

Will Smith as Detective Spooner    Bridget Moynahan as Dr. Calvin

Alan Tudyk as Sonny

Director: Adam McKay

Writer: Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman (Based on the book by Isaac Asimov)

Budget: $105,000,000    Gross: $100,250,000

Chris' experience:

Theater: Regal Cinemas- The Mall

Day: The day after the release

Price I paid: 1 ticket- $9

Goodies: Before the movie I ate a fish taco and had an Orange Julius for lunch (Take that overly priced concession stand items!)

Partner(s) in Crime: Saw it with a no-budget movie director

Events That Day: Not much happened this day

Before you read this review, you should know that I'm one of the few people who actually liked Wild Wild West. With that said… if you still care for my opinion read on. If not, feel free to bash this movie or Wild Wild West in the forums.

Will Smith first won my approval in Independence Day. And every movie after, he's been great in my opinion. He's funny, sassy, and his characters are full of one-liners. The only problem I have with him, though it is minor, is that all his characters are the same. Agent Jay is James West. No doubt about it. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw I, Robot, and he delivered a new performance.

I've never read Asimov's books. I read a few things about him, and I know fans were concerned about this movie and Smith's name in it. Believe me, I was too. I've heard of this book, and I was really looking forward to seeing the movie. The preview site was ingenious. One of my stupid friends actually thought it was real. So kudos on that Fox. Your audience is as dumb as you think they are (http://www.ns-5.com/).When finally I found out Smith was going to be in it I started having my doubts. Sure, I like him, but it seemed like this movie was going to be another Will Smith action film with one-liners, and I didn't see how that would represent this book well.

Somehow they did it right. It's not just another Smith movie. It's more than that. The movie is not the same as the book I hear. Instead it uses the ideas from it and goes off in a new direction. As well it should, because what they turned it into was perfect for the big screen and wildly entertaining.

Smith has a different character. Still, he's shooting off one-liners, but his character is different. He's a little darker and not as lighthearted, and he likes pie. And yes, if you're wondering, he does say "Aw Hell No."

I was lost in this movie's atmosphere. My eyes were glued on it the entire film. This vision of the future is very realistic, and it has some good ideas that tomorrow's scientists and technicians could develop, like the self-controlled freeway mode in the movie, or the parking lots that literally pick up and store your car. Life would be so much easier for us all, and we wouldn't have to worry about morons on the road who decide to drive ten miles under the speed limit as soon as I'm behind them so I spill soda all over myself. Anyway, the visuals are good, though the CG is missing something. It looks good, it fits pretty well into the movie's atmosphere, and doesn't look out of place, but like most CG, your eyes aren't fooled. Yet, Alan Tudyk brings Sonny, the CG main robot character, to life wonderfully. I felt compassion for the CG model simply because of Tudyk's voice.

Overall, this movie is action-packed. The action sequences are wild, and really fun. And after seeing it, I did think a lot about robots, and how it all seems so clear now. Apple is going to take over the world. We all thought it was Microsoft, but we didn't pay close enough attention to the real fiends. Jeff Goldblum wasn't in any robot movies. That's how Apple spared his life in the future, by him doing those commercials. Coincidence? I think not.

Well, combined with a smart storyline, good visuals, and Smith's infamous one-liners, this movie has got to be the best I've seen this summer.

Likes: One-Liners, Action, Sonny, Pie

Dislikes: None

Rating: 5 pie tins out of 5

Is it worth seeing?: Aw Hell yes.

Discuss Robot logic at the forums......Or review the movie yourself.