Me, Robot.

Okay, I'm lying. The actual name is I, Robot. I, as well as many of you may have, thought the name of this film posed a potential threat to it's credit. Anyway, yes, I saw this movie today at Arizona Mills Harkins 24.
 
As far as the movie itself goes, I was entertained. I think it provided everthing I needed in a movie for this genre. I think Will Smith was a good choice for lead actor, for we have not yet become weary of seeing his face on the big screen repeatedly. Collin Farrell anybody? As I recall, the beginning of the movie was simple (I was somewhat distracted by the attractive young lady setting beside me =). It at least grabbed the attention of all the XX chromosomes in the theatre, seeing as how within five minutes into the film we had seen Mr. Smith stark nekkid in the shower.  It progressed slowly at times, and often predictable. The pace gradually picked up though. The lead actress (really, the only actress in the movie besides granny) might slightly annoy movie goers. She appeared emotional a few too many times. Nowhere near as close as Peter Parker though. Good Lord, I shant even go there. You might recognize her as the "bitch" from Coyote Ugly in a not so serious or emotional role. At least that's one film I can off the top of my head connect her with. Ironically I watched that tonight too! ANYWAY. The "mad scientist" character, on which the majority of the movie was based upon, was filled by James Cromwell. An actor whom I never grow tired of seeing play these typecast roles.
 
Some things I did appreciate in the movie. For once, this futurisic movie did not dwell on points that some typically do. It did not give any earth-related facts for example. The population of the earth, the system of government, the state of international powers, whether or not the moon had been populated, ect. To my liking, it remained neutral in all of those areas. I even believed in how the city of Chicago appeared in 2034. It was nothing particularly extreme and protruding. Taking into account the numerous futuristic films over the years, I thought it even provided some fresh ideas. The transit system is always something of interest. I would have compared it right up along side Minority Report.  I also thought it was wise of them to establish the story in one central location, that being Chicago. Sometimes it can bee too overwhelming to run the plot out in several separate cities, states, countries, ect. It can leave your mind uneasy. But this had boundaries and I felt it was necessary.
 
Some things I did not so much appreciate. Several of the developing story line plots were original. The incident behind his reocurring night mare for one. That technique has unspeakably been used to the maxxx.  Another, which I can bet on everyone else noticing, the Matrix-like stunts done by both robots and humans. I mean, if certain parts of each movie were played side by side, you would think it was a reflection. Since I am not the most avid Matrix fan, I was hardly offended. Instead, I found it rather amusing. But surely the stunt coordinators did not purposefully parallel another film? Dare I say copycat? No, not in Hollywood! Ha. Yet another original plot development flaw: Have we not already seen in every action flick and their mothers this conflicting idea, where there is one man/woman/occassional mammal who believes in his gut feeling and no one in authority gives he/she the time of day including his close and personal friends/family? And generally the last standing hero ends up being correct in his otherwise bogus assumption. Everyone believes the character, upon which the confliction rests, has gone crazy and he/she tends to have to complete the objective on his/her own. And the character is torn up inside because convincing the love interest, or the partner, or the family member, or the friend, is next to impossible. We have seen it all before and now we see it again.
 
Well, just envision a female emotional Peter Parker, Matrix "moves," a current Disney channel child star (Even Steven I, believe) who uses foul language, and the great grand child of the Audi TT roadster and you've got yourself a blue-eyed, winking robotic trip to the cinema.
 
My approval? 80%
Overall? More watchable than Steve's Artificial Intelligence. Less watchable than Steve's Minority Report.
 
I, Mike. (Okay, really I'll stop)