I, Robot (2004)

In 2035, a technophobic cop investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity.

Director:

Alex Proyas

Writers:

Jeff Vintar (screenplay), Akiva Goldsman (screenplay)

Stars:

Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Will Smith	...	Del Spooner
Bridget Moynahan	...	Susan Calvin
Alan Tudyk	...	Sonny
James Cromwell	...	Dr. Alfred Lanning
Bruce Greenwood	...	Lawrence Robertson
Adrian Ricard	...	Granny (as Adrian L. Ricard)
Chi McBride	...	Lt. John Bergin
Jerry Wasserman	...	Baldez
Fiona Hogan	...	V.I.K.I.
Peter Shinkoda	...	Chin
Terry Chen	...	Chin
David Haysom	...	NS4 Robot / NS5 Robot
Scott Heindl	...	NS4 Robot / NS5 Robot
Sharon Wilkins	...	Asthmatic Woman
Craig March	...	Detective

Storyline

In 2035, techno-phobic homicide detective Del Spooner of the Chicago PD heads the investigation of the apparent suicide of leading robotics scientist, Dr. Alfred Lanning. Unconvinced of the motive, Spooner's investigation into Lanning's death reveals a trail of secrets and agendas within the USR (United States Robotics) corporation and suspicions of murder. Little does he know that his investigation would lead to uncovering a larger threat to humanity.

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Plot Keywords:

humanoid robot | man versus machine | grandmother | dystopia | artificial intelligence | 

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Taglines:

One man saw it coming.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense stylized action, and some brief partial nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most of the cars in the movie are modified pre-2004 Audi A2, A6 and TT models. There are even some unmodified cars.

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Goofs

Although robots are quite common in the movie's future, apparently closed circuit television systems and personal video cameras are not. All of the things that Detective Spooner claim to have happen should have been recorded on alarm systems at businesses, the CCTV system on the underground highway, the camera in his personal vehicle or the camera in his mobile phone.

For some reason Spooner, despite being called a liar and considered to be mentally ill, never chooses to video these events as proof that they are indeed occurring.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Detective Del Spooner: [singing along with Stevie Wonder's "Superstition"] Seven years of bad luck.

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Crazy Credits

Instead of opening credits, the beginning of the movie features Isaac Asimov's 3 Laws of Robotics: LAW I. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. LAW II. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. LAW III. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

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Alternate Versions

In the 3D re-release the old 20th Century Fox logo is replaced with the new 20th Century Fox logo that was used in Avatar.

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Connections

Referenced in Camp Lakebottom: I, Rodent/Undies Cover of the Night (2017)

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Soundtracks

Top Floor, Por Favor
Written and Performed by Joe Lervold
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari/MasterSource

User Reviews

Good mix of action and philosophy

Like the Matrix and many other major movies, I, Robot has its foundations in philosophy, in its case the question of epistemology(The study of knowledge itself and computers being self-aware).

Will Smith is Spooner, a cop with an apparent attitude problem. Set in the future, I Robot sees Spooner embarking on a puzzling case of suicide where he believes it was actually murder. By a robot.

In this future society (With more than a homage to Blade Runner) robots are used as slaves of humans in all facets of life. They have 3 rules of conduct hard coded into them which essentially state they cannot harm humans. So the postulation by Spooner that a robot killed a man after a history where no robot had ever committed so much as a mugging presents a big problem to both his peers and his boss.

Suffice to say the story's plot thickens and a number of twists and turns emerge before the truth is revealed.

Will Smith is an absolute surprise here. Having previously been a light-hearted comedy actor he puts in a truly excellent and believable shift as a wise-cracking cop with a dark past.

However, the real star is the special effects and visual trickery. Impossible but ingenious camerawork and some jawdropping animation really make I, Robot feel truly alive and utterly believable, while never being dull for a second.

It arguably doesn't delve too deep into its philosophical undertones, but it doesn't really need to. It's a traditional Hollywood blockbuster action flick but it unquestionably has a brain and is a clear cut above the likes of Armageddon et al.

Very enjoyable.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hardwired

Filming Locations:

British Columbia Institute of Technology - Aerospace Technology Campus, Vancouver International Airport, 3800 Cessna Drive, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$120,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$52,179,887, 18 July 2004

Gross USA:

$144,801,023

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$353,133,898

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Mediastream Vierte Film GmbH & Co. Vermarktungs KG, Davis Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1