Riveting Robots?

Advantages: Fun film with a strong voice cast and good animation
Disadvantages: In the face of stronge competition, it doesn't quite match up

...When "Robots" was released in 2005 I headed off to see it in the cinema. I have to admit in the sea of animated films offered by the likes of Pixar and Dreamworks in the last five years I had practically forgotten seeing the film when I met my husband and he happened to have the dvd in his collection. In the time we've been together I've watched the film at least 3 times and it never fails to raise at least a little giggle. THE PREMISE This Twentieth Century Fox animated film was directed by Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha who have been involved in the fabulous Ice Age films. As suggested by the title, it is set in a world where everyone is a Robot, as are their pets. Rodney Copperbottom is the beloved only child of hardworking parents who are forced to provide him with a serious of hand-me-down-parts, including some teenage...

Mountainlilly 06.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Robots (DVD)

dangerous robots

Advantages: great action pact movie right from the start
Disadvantages: none

...Producers: Will Smith, Laurence Mark, Wyck Godfrey,Topher Dow and John Davis Director: Alex Provas Starring: Will Smith, Bruce Greenwood, Bridget Moynahan, Chi McBride, Alan Tudyk, James Cromwell and Shia LaBeouf Released in 2004 this film was as impressive as you would expect from Will Smith. Set in the year 2035 in Chicago with humanoid robots walking the streets as servants to humans. We are quickly introduced to detective Del Spooner, (played by Will Smith) and soon realise that he has a total distrust for the robots, (later in the movie we find out the reason for the mistrust). The film essentially starts with the death of a top scientist, presumably suicide, although Del thinks otherwise. As del investigates the death he soon realises that there is more to the situation than first thought. The special effects used in...

blissman70 21.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of I, Robot (DVD)

Robot Boy

Advantages: none spring to mind
Disadvantages: Considering this is for children I am shocked

...Robot Boy is a Cartoon showed regularly on Cartoon Network. It has only been created in the last two years and in my opinion someone should sort this program out. Tommy is a 10 year old boy, and Robotboy's new owner,Professor Moshimo has entrusted him to his greatest fan tommy ,so that Robot Boy can learn to become like a real boy. Tommy is an intellegent young boy who is constantly trying to teach Robot Boy right from wrong,also has an older brother, a bully by the name of Donnie. Apart from the obvious of the fact that tommy`s brother is a vicious bully with never seems to be stopped.or repremanded for.We have Gus, a character that is referred to as The G Man,who is obese and seems ok for the program makers to portray the facts that he can gorge himself stupid with junk food,confectionary and icecream,and this is acceptable...

welshwickedone 24.07.2006 · Read review
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Review of Cartoon Robot Boy

A futuristic tale of robots

Advantages: Special effects
Disadvantages: none

...Many people will have read the book ?I Robot?, written by Isaac Asimov. In 2004, Alex Proyas directed a film based on this book. This science fiction story is set in 2035, where robots have become common place in homes, being used for menial tasks. When a scientist at U.S. Robotics, Dr Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell), falls to his death, the investigating detective, Del Spooner (Will Smith), suspects that one of the robots, Sonny (Alan Tudyk), may be to blame. However the robots live by three laws which prevent them from harming humans, so if Sonny was to blame then this could mean a serious flaw in the many robots in people?s homes. Spooner is a techno-phobe and has a deep dislike for the robots, which causes him to probe the case deeper despite objections. This is a visually stunning story with an interesting story, but I felt...

mozzie76 20.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of I, Robot (DVD)

Robots Everywhere

Advantages: Give your child a touch and feel experience
Disadvantages: none

...seems to love this set of touchy feely books. I'm not sure if it's the different textures that attract him or whether it's the simple story, as we have found that he is able to point to the words "That's not my robot," on each page and say them with us. For anyone with younger children, these books would be ideal as they are made of sturdy thick board pages and the textured bits seem to be well fitted in, unlike some of the cheaper varieties on the market. I love reading this type of book to my son, as he really gets a buzz from noting the differences and looking out for the little mouse that is on every set of pages throughout. They are a great learning tool for children to experience rough bits like the prickly ears on one puppy robot or to feel bumpy bits like one robot's crinkly hands which are made for a type of corrugated paper...

belfin 27.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of That's Not My Robot... - Rachel Wells, Fiona Watt

I, Robot You, Will Smith

Advantages: Intelligent story-telling with high production values
Disadvantages: Really obvious product placement

...Technophobe Detective Del Spooner lives in a near future where robots are as common as kettles. But when Alfred Lanning, the father of robotics apparently commits suicide, Spooner believes he has been murdered and that the murderer may be a robot named Sonny, who has somehow managed to break his programming. Spooner?s biggest problem is how to get anyone else to believe him. Especially as mega-corporation US Robotics is about to release its latest robot; the NS-5, whose introduction will increase the number of robots to one for every five humans. Director Alex Proyas has never been one to shy away from a challenge. After dealing with a star dying on set in ?The Crow? and a film that existed in eternal night in the aptly named ?Dark City?, he decided to take a crack at the heretofore unfilmable work of physicist turned futurist Isaac...

afy9mab 20.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of I, Robot (DVD)

ROBOTS... everybody needs good ROBOTS...

Advantages: Technically excellent, decent story, good sight gags
Disadvantages: Robin William's character is annoying, poor dialogue

...THIS IS A FILM-ONLY REVIEW ------------------------------------------ ROBOTS is a pleasing animated movie brought to us by the same directorial team in charge of the brilliant Ice Age (Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha). While it doesn't reach up to the standard of Ice Age and indeed leaves one with the feeling of a somewhat wasted opportunity, it is enjoyable fun for the whole family. The basic storyline revolves around Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor) and his quest to make something of himself in the big city. His father Herb (Stanley Tucci) is a dishwasher (almost literally), which isn't much to aspire to, but Rodney has a very close relationship with his father - and seeing him in such a sorry state is another motivation for him wanting to be a success himself. Arriving in the big city, he meets Fender (Robin Williams...

CaptainDisaster 13.01.2006 · Read review
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Review of Robots (DVD)

Robot

Advantages: Tom Baker's first Doctor Who story
Disadvantages: Special effects are dated

...ROBOT is the first 'Doctor Who' story starring Tom Baker, and was first broadcast in late 1974 / early 1975. The story also stars Elisabeth Sladen as his companion Sarah Jane Smith, who recently appeared in her own Children's BBC series, THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES, and Ian Marter and Nicholas Courtney as UNIT members Harry Sullivan and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (UNIT was the military group The Doctor worked with during the period of the show's production). The plot has The Doctor, who has just regenerated, aid UNIT in investigating the theft of top secret plans and equipment from premises which had been believed to be impenetrable. It transpires that the culprit was a robot created by Professor Kettlewell (played by Edward Burnham) and it is up to The Doctor and his companions to stop it. This is a fun story with some great...

phurren2006 16.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of Doctor Who - Robot (DVD)

When is a robot, not a robot?

Advantages: Storyline, acting, effects.
Disadvantages: None so far!

...Happy New Year fellow Ciao reviewers. It's now 2005 and for my first review, I'll do a film review on a DVD I got my sister for christmas..... I, ROBOT ***ACTORS AND ACTRESSES*** Will Smith - The Legend of Bagger Vance, Shark Tale, Bad Boys II Bridget Moynahan - Serendipity, Coyote Ugly, The Sum of All Fears Alan Tudyk - Ice Age, Hearts in Atlantis, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story James Cromwell - Space Cowboys, Deep Impact, Species II **CHARACTERS*** Del Spooner Played by actor Will Smith. Del Spooner is a all-go no-quit detective in the force. Apart from having a buff body, Del always trusts his gut and uses his instincts to guide him and they've never failed him yet. His deep distrust for the main focus of this film (robots), does not appear without good reason. Del will not rely on robots for anything...

LR_17 01.01.2005 · Read review
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Review of I, Robot (DVD)

THE LAWS OF ROBOTICS

Advantages: Great ideas and imagination
Disadvantages: none

...future a journalist interviews one of the head scientists (robopsychologist) of US Robotics and Mechanical Men Inc. the largest and most powerful manufacturer of robots in the world. Susan Calvin in her role as a robopsychologist watched the development of robot throughout her long career. Now 75 years of age she is about to retire and in the interview she gives the journalist an overview of robot development by relating a number of tales (the stories) that describe the problems and issues that the existence of robots have highlighted. The stories are as follows Robbie Runaround Reason Catch That Rabbit Liar! Little Lost Robot Escape! Evidence The Evitable Conflict In the course of reading these stories we are presented with many scenarios that all seem to contradict the Laws of Robotics thus represent a problem or even...

Mauri 08.08.2000 (07.11.2003) · Read review
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Review of I, Robot - Isaac Asimov