I,Robot

Review by Richard Lee

Twentieth Century Fox Studios / 2004 / 115 Minutes / Rated PG-13
Street Date: December 14, 2004

Specifications:
-DVD-Video
-DVD-9
-Region 1

2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Audio:
-English DTS
-English 5.1 Dolby Digital
-Spanish Dolby Surround
-French Dolby Surround
-Commentary by Director Alex Proyas and Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman

Subtitle Options:
-English
-Spanish
-None

Main Menu:
-Initiate Movie
-Set Up
-Scene Locator
-Unique Features
-Inside Look

Unique Features:
-The Making of I, Robot
-Still Gallery
-Trailer: Arrested Development

Set in Chicago 2035, Will Smith plays detective and technophobe Del Spooner who is investigating an apparent suicide of a top U.S. Robotics scientist, Alfred Lanning played by James Cromwell. Del suspects a robot named Sonny, a remarkably realistic CGI effect of digitized actor Alan Tudyk, who puts in the movie's best performance. The only problem is these robots were created to obey three basic laws, all of which prevent any robot from harming or from inaction, cause the harm of any human being. In this society where humans have become completely dependent upon robots, a robot that has learned to break those laws would pose quite a dilemma indeed, speculates Spooner. Throughout this special effects extravaganza, Spooner is aided by pretty psychologist Susan Calvin, played by Bridget Moynahan. Together, they uncover a conspiracy neither of whom could have foreseen. 

Loosely, and I mean loose like a tent, based on an Isaac Asimov story, "I, Robot" has been re-fashioned as a Will Smith vehicle just like "Wild, Wild, West" was; only this time with more successful results. The special/computer effects work is top-notch with the robots exhibiting fluid and realistic facial expressions and movement. The futuristic cityscape and roadways bring to mind another recent sci-fi flick "Minority Report". The robots themselves look like they were modeled after designs used in Kubrick/Spielberg's "A.I.". Director Alex Proyas has proven he is capable of fine sci-fi fare with previous efforts "The Crow" and "Dark City". Overall, an agreeable and satisfying time filler for fans of this genre.

Picture Quality:

With supplemental materials kept to a minimum on this release, the bulk of this DVD is therefore devoted to the movie and it shows. The picture is very sharp with edges well defined. Colors are vibrant in scenes where they need to be but also muted where green filtering was used such as during darker scenes.

Audio Quality:

With DTS the audio option of choice, the surround sound field is highly active which is expected for a heavy FX laden movie like this. The LFE channel booms to life during scenes of pursuit and during the film's music soundtrack like the collective beating of all the robots' CPU units; hearts? Demonstration highlights: 52:11 - Robot attack in the tunnel; 1:20:00 - Robot revolution; 1:36:00 - Robot Standoff

Unique Features:

Besides the director and screenwriter commentaries, there is a 13 minute featurette of the making of "I, Robot". The stills galleries features schematics of the various robot designs used in the movie. The trailer for the Fox Network's emmy winning comedy "Arrested Development" seems out of place on this dvd; obviously a desperate attempt to recruit viewers to "the funniest television show nobody is watching". "Inside Look" gives a preview of upcoming Fox productions "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, a CG animated feature "Robots" which IS appropriate for this dvd, and "Elektra", a spin-off movie from "Daredevil" with Jennifer Garner reprising her role of the title character.