Robots

In 2002, Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha co-directed “Ice Age,” a nice animated movie that was about prehistoric animals among them being a wooly mammoth, a sloth and saber-toothed tigers. They joined together in 2005 on another CGI family film that is set in the future about a society that is filled with robots.

The filmmakers brought together a talented cast of voice actors for the animated characters that include Halley Berry, Jim Broadbent, Mel Brooks, Dianne Wiest, the late Robin Williams, James Earl Jones, and Greg Kineear. The movie also has the different voices of famous character actors Paul Giamatti, Stanley Tucci, Jennifer Coolidge, Ewan McGregor, and Dan Hedaya, along with popular TV celebrities Drew Carey, Amanda Bynes, Al Roker, Jay Leno, Carson Daly, D.L. Hughley, Jamie Kennedy, Conan O’Brien and Terry Bradshaw.

Kam Williams said in his review, “Out of the cacophony of all these colorful accents competing for attention, it is Robin Williams' trademark stream-of-consciousness which emerges as the driving force for the film. In accordance with the current formula for animated films made for children, the hero is on an epic journey accompanied by a scene-stealing, wisecracking sidekick.” “Shrek” had Eddie Murphy as the friendly donkey, “Finding Nemo” had Ellen DeGeneres as the fish with short-term memory loss, “The Emperor’s New Groove” had David Spade as a llama, Billy Crystal did the same type of role in “Monsters’ Inc.,” and Will Smith was in “Shark Tale” (a movie I have never seen).

The story beings in Rivet Town where a creative robot named Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor), inspired by his hero, Bigweld (Mel Brooks), says goodbye to his parents, and leaves to Robot City to find work as a trainee at Bigweld’s factory.

What Rodney doesn’t know is that Phineas T. Ratchet, voiced by Greg Kinnear, has gotten complete control of the company from Bigweld, in order to plan out an evil scheme to get a lot of money by no longer making spare robot parts. Necessary upgrades, instead of repairs, will be disastrous for most of the older robot population.

Out of a job, Rodney becomes friends with Fender, voiced by the late Robin Williams, leader of the Rusties, a rebel gang that live on the suburbs of town. Williams asks, “Can these almost obsolete mechanical beings team-up to change the course of history before they all end up on the scrap heap?”

Children will love the realistic animation, and their parents will enjoy the references to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Singing in the Rain,” James Bond, “Analyze This,” “Jaws,” and “Road Trip.”

Williams ended his review by noting, “The picture has few product placements, which is a departure from the norm for children's fare. It is welcomed, since we've come to expect children's movies to be laced with cross promotions and sales pitches.”

I remember seeing this in theaters and I can’t remember a movie that I laughed so hard at until “The Lego Franchise.” It was one of the funniest animated movies I had ever seen and I enjoyed it thoroughly. This is a really fun movie for the whole family to watch and enjoy. You should definitely see this and you will love the puns in this film.

Thank you everyone for joining in on “Robots Month.” I hope you enjoyed this and I hope that I made some good recommendations. Check in next month for what I will review next.

I, Robot

Ken Hanke started his review by stating, “Ah, the merits of low expectations! And what I anticipated with I, Robot could not possibly have been any less.”

Hanke continued, “As I walked into the screening, I was asked if I was looking forward to the film. Unfortunately, the dictates of good taste prevent me from repeating my answer here, though I can say it involved a suggestion that the film would almost certainly engage in a highly personal activity with a certain barnyard animal. After all, I’d seen the trailer, which suggested yet another mindless CGI-created action-athon with occasional time-out for snappy one-liners from its star. It looked for all the world like a rehash of the cosmically godawful Men in Black II. That is, without Tommy Lee Jones — thus leaving us only with Will Smith, who hasn’t impressed me since Six Degrees of Separation.”

There was a statement that just gave people the author who the makers of “I, Robot,” released in 2004, said they based it off of: “suggested by the book by Isaac Asimov.” For those that have seen the 1934 “The Black Cat” will know that Universal said that exact sentence by stating “suggested by Edgar Allen Poe’s immortal classic.” Hanke noted, “While I freely admit that the 1934 Black Cat is in my personal pantheon of top-10 movies ever made, it has absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Poe’s “immortal classic.””

Hanke continued, “So with this to work from, the atmosphere of the screening was definitely one that mixed grave misgivings with gloomy foreboding (and I’m again being polite). Well, I was wrong — very wrong!” No, “I, Robot” is not Asimov’s story (or stories), but it is inspired from the great works of sci-fi. The three laws of robotics, which state that a robot cannot hurt a human, are true to Asimov. Along with that, the film’s basic story is rooted in his writing too. Of course, that is a small fact, hurting only huge sci-fi fans, since the movie’s quality relies very little on this main inspiration to its sources.

The real surprise is that “I, Robot” is a rare release with summer blockbusters, a film with something it’s thinking of. This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have the necessary requirements of a summer movie: It’s loud, it’s very funny, it’s filled with perfectly enjoyable action scenes. However, there’s more to it than that, some of which is really surprising. Hanke noted, “I, Robot may just be the most subversive $100-million-plus movie ever made, with the kind of sinister attitude usually associated with exploitation or art-house fare.”

Particularly, the film has interested parallels between robots and racism, which is given a scheming twist by having the prejudices against the robot population mainly from Will Smith’s Del Spooner. “I saw a robot running with a woman’s purse. What was I supposed to think?” he asks his supervisor, Lt. Bergin, played by the great Chi McBride, after Spooner wrongly arrests a robot for “stealing” a purse. Later, robot magnate Lawrence Robinson, played by Bruce Greenwood, cautiously blames Spooner of bigotry, thinking that the policeman wants to believe a robot is guilty of murder just because Spooner doesn’t “care for their kind.” (Hanke said, “All of this would play better if the film — which otherwise oddly provides more Smith beefcake than Bridget Moynahan cheesecake — didn’t insist on injecting a wholly arbitrary, homophobic gag between Spooner and Robinson.”)

By the time “I, Robot” explains what’s the problem with the strange events happening, it’s hard to miss the (definitely intentional) parallels between the reasoning of the villain and the language of the Patriot Act. Like with “X2,” which tells a similar, but more specific, subtext, this works because it’s a logical result of the story.

For a large summer movie, “I, Robot” has a nicely solid story line, with Spooner’s racism against robots the main factor of the film’s mystery. Also, the inventor of the robots, Dr. Alfred Lanning, played by James Cromwell, has expected Spooner’s bigotry. What really causes the action here is the robots’ growth to the point where they can understand the three laws of robotics in a way that completely challenges those laws (and here again, there’s a lot of subtext to see here).

Hanke noted, “At the same time, it’s impossible to overlook the fact that I, Robot, for all its merits, borrows shamelessly from a variety of sources — especially Blade Runner and The Matrix series. The former is hardly surprising, since director Alex Proyas has evoked that cult favorite at least twice already (The Crow and Dark City).” When looking at the latter, it’s not much of a surprise to go from Spooner’s apparently intelligent, pie-baking grandmother, played by Adrian Ricard, to the Oracle of “The Matrix.” Still, there’s not really a feel of a rip-off than a tribute and influence, and that popular culture is simply being interrupted into the happenings.

Hanke mentioned, “The biggest surprise is that it all works — or so nearly does that it seems nit-picky to complain. Smith is impossibly good in the lead, and the obligatory one-liners that seemed so arbitrary in the film’s trailer are actually held in check and nicely integrated into the script. Plus, the Hollywood Screenwriting 101 antagonistic quasi-romantic relationship between Spooner and no-nonsense scientist Susan Calvin (Moynahan) is handled with enough assurance to overcome its cliched underpinnings.”

However the most successful part of “I, Robot” is the creation of the film’s “renegade” robot, Sonny, played by Alan Tudyk. Hanke mentioned, “Sounding somewhat creepily like Hal in Kubrick’s 2001, Sonny is a CGI creation that has the kind of believable reality we find in The Lord of the Rings‘ Gollum and with the mechanical tentacles of “Doc Ock” in Spider-Man 2.”

Hanke continued, “In other words, though I, Robot occasionally succumbs to a bit of Hollywoodized cuteness, it also manages to turn an effect into a real character.” That in itself makes this film worth watching.

I really liked and enjoyed this movie when I saw it in theaters. It was definitely one of the most enjoyable summer movies that I had saw that year. If you haven’t seen this movie and you’re a Will Smith and/or robot movie fan, then you should definitely check this one out. You will love it.

Look out next week for the finale of “Robots Month.”

Bicentennial Man

In “Good Will Hunting,” “Patch Adams,” and this 1999 film based on a short story by Isaac Asimov, the late Robin Williams has put on screen a series of characters who are all involved in the spiritual way of “gentling the heart.” Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat said in their review, “While many reviewers have been highly critical of these touchy-feely dramas, this talented and sensitive actor is modeling for us what Buddhists call "training the heart." This inner work is an essential path and practice for anyone on a spiritual journey. Williams is to be commended for doing such pioneer work on the screen.”

Richard Martin (Sam Neill) surprises his wife (Wendy Crewson) and two daughters (Lindze Letherman and Hallie Kate Eisenberg) with a new NDR-114 robot that the youngest girl names Andrew. This shiny robot cooks, cleans, and looks after the children. Soon Richard sees that Andrew is very unique – he shows signs of creativity, curiosity, and an interested mind. His friendship with “Little Miss,” as he calls the youngest daughter, increases as she grows up as a young woman, now played by Embeth Davidtz).

After asking for and gaining his freedom, Andrew finds his own place to live and then goes out to find other robots of his kind. With some good luck, he meets Rupert Burns (Oliver Platt), a robotics inventor and Galatea (Kiersten Warren). Together they find ways to upgrade Andrew’s nervous system and his outer appearance. When he meets Little Miss, who’s now an older woman, he is in love with her look-alike granddaughter Portia. The movie then tells in years of friendship and his attempts to officially be called a human being ends up with them in love. As Andrew tells Portia, “I would rather die a man than live forever as a machine.”

Brussat said, “Director Chris Columbus brings the same tenderness to this android's 200-year quest to achieve full humanity as he did to the father's desire to spend more time with his children in the immensely popular Mrs. Doubtfire.” Andrew’s respectful relationship with Richard Martin, whom he calls “sir,” is one of mutual respect. As this father says to his daughters: “Though Andrew is technically a piece of property, he shall be treated as if he is a person.” Brussat is right when they said, “More of us need to adapt this wise and hospitable attitude toward the technology with which we live.”

Brussat mentioned, “Best of all, Andrew is a near-perfect example of the spiritual practice of kindness. His saying, "One is glad to be of service," is the mantra of anyone who is spiritually realized.” “Bicentennial Man” is a film to really take seriously.

This is an absolutely heartwarming movie that you should see. As one of Robin Williams’ dramatic performance, he really delivered like he always did. If you’re a fan of Robin Williams, you will love this movie a lot. Don’t miss your chance on seeing this because you will really feel emotional after seeing it, especially with how it ends.

Sorry for posting this late as I had family to be with for a good majority of the day. However, stay tuned next Friday for the next review in “Robot Month.”

Short Circuit

I thought for the month of August that I would look at certain robot movies that I really found myself enjoying. Let’s get started with the enjoyable “Short Circuit” movies.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat noted, “The word robot was coined in 1921 from the Czech word "robotta" meaning compulsory labor. Since then, we've been treated to a variety of science fiction tales about these technological creations. Today's personal robots can do little more than talk, move around, and pick up lightweight objects. Experts believe that someday the robot will evolve into a companion and information base, similar to C3PO in the Star Wars trilogy. With their fast silicon brains and their tireless bodies, these intelligent machines will be capable of round-the-clock work, creative thought, and perhaps even independent action.”

In “Short Circuit,” a thoroughly enjoyable 1986 fantasy movie, the president of Nova Robotics, played by Austin Pendleton, shows a group of stylish robots before some military personal. Costing $11 million each, these robots are designed with lasers that make them the perfect weapons.

When No. 5, voiced by Tim Blaney, is struck by lightning, it malfunctions and runs away from the laboratory. Newton Crosby (Steve Guttenberg), who originally made by robots, and his associate, Ben (Fisher Stevens), drive around to find the escaped robot. An aggressive security officer, played by G.W. Bailey, from Nova Robotics wants to disassemble No. 5, which he says is a “stupid contraption.”

No. 5 goes to Stephanie, played by Ally Sheedy, a young woman who drives a snack van and her home is a shelter for stray animals. Initially, Stephanie thinks No. 5 is an alien. Brussat said, “Later, she learns that he has refashioned his circuitry. The ultimate killing machine is now a peacenik who no longer wants to kill — or "disassemble."”

Brussat continued, “No. 5 digests new "input" by speed reading Stephanie's set of encyclopedias and her dictionary; and he views hours of nonstop television. Soon the lovable robot is doing John Wayne impressions, spouting advertising jingles, and even miming John Travolta's dancing from Saturday Night Fever.”

Since this is a fantasy film, No. 5 outsmarts his enemies (he even reprograms three robots that are chasing him and turns them into the Three Stooges). In the end, he laughs. This “spontaneous emotional response” makes his creator Newton Crosby believe that “No. 5 is alive.” “Short Circuit’s” happy ending will make every viewer a child.

The 1988 sequel, “Short Circuit 2” is mild and gentle with an uncomplicated likeness as a successful sequel to the original robot comedy.

No.5, now called “Johnny Five” is delivered to the Big City, where friend Ben (Fisher Stevens) is having a difficult time creating toy models of his mechanical gadget on the street.

Beautiful store employee Cynthia Gib needs to bring a novel item to her shelves, and sends Ben and self-made entrepreneur Michael McKean into work by ordering 1,000 of the little trinkets for the Christmas season. Variety noted in there review, “Underhanded banker Jack Weston has some other ideas for the tireless automaton, scheming to kidnap it and press it into service stealing some priceless jewels from a safe deposit box.”

Variety continued, “Although derivative, the robot, made up of all manner of spare electronic parts, remains charming, and kids will undoubtedly find delightful scenes in which Number Five jumps around from place to place and sails through the air amid the skyscrapers of Toronto.”

The film takes place in a basic US city, consisting with American flash and a citizenship swearing-in ceremony. However, the movie was actually shot in Toronto.

Now, these films can be considered guilty pleasure. Even though Fisher Stevens can be considered racist for the way he is portraying an Indian, he is still a likable character, along with Johnny Five. You should check these 80s movies out because you will thoroughly enjoy them.

Check in next week for the next installment in “Robots Month.”