I, Robot

Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood and Sonny
Directed by: Alex Proyas
Based on Isaac Asminov's short stories

Buy it

Bluntly speaking? I, Robot is a slice of sci-fi heaven with a hearty side of bewitching visual euphoria. It's a special effects driven murder mystery sci-fi done right.

Story goes…in the not so future-y future robots are workin' for the man. They now take the doldrums out of our busy schedules.

So affordable are these mechanical personal assistants, every one has a fella.

Yeppo, the public can't get enough of these wondrous worker bees. Well, except for one old fashioned retro-enthusiast cop, Det. Del Spooner (Will Smith). Spooner just has a feeling these creepy engineered butlers cannot, should not, be trusted.

When a bigwig robot creator, Dr, Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell) commits "suicide," Spooner is summoned by the man's own hologram. Basically the thing's a modern decoder ring sending Spooner a cryptic message from the fine doctor involving breadcrumbs, Hanzel and Gretel and all kinds of ominous leads…

But Spooner also gets a prime suspect. It's a more tangible prop in the form of the Doc's favorite robot, Sonny.

Sonny is accused, by Spooner, of murdering his creator - a big ol' no-no in the "Three Laws of Robotics" per Isaac Asimov. But Sonny is not some average garage band robot - this one dreams and has (eek) emotions. He's also riddled with secrets...

Throw in a beautiful robot-enthusist Dr. Susan Calvin (Bridget Moynahan), and an almost robot-like corporation predecessor to Dr. Lansing, one Lawrence Robertson (Bruce Greenwood), and viola, off we go towards the plot.

Can man beat the ghosts in the machine before it's too late? Have we been blinded by convenience? Will anyone listen to Will, err, Spooner? Or is he just a racist anti-tech?

The tale is super exciting if you're into the whole sci-fi direction. If you're not, still, the special effects will have you gripped to the seat from frame one. There's been a lot of research done on the part of the storytellers and it shows. One could debate a few issues - but why bother. Just indulge and take a trip with them.

The ever-handsome mansteak, Will Smith, as our wisecracking robot-hating cop-guy guide, helps keep the awe-inspiring frou-frou computer art down to earth with his patented one-liners. His perpetual boy-man charisma simply oozes. And so does his physique. Here William is all buffed up - and they've included a quick "shower shot" for we man-lovin' types… (she typed wiping the sweat from her still erect brow).

I, Robot is incredible film making. Kudos to VES John Nelson and crew - the bar has been once again raised in the visual effects field. And director Alex Proyas has certainly earning his weekly wage as puppeteer. Enjoy.

Snack recommendation: Sweet potato pie