In my senior year of high school I discovered a play called R.U.R aka Rossum’s Universal Robots. It was written in 1920 by Czech playwright, Karel Capek. He coined the word ‘robot’ and no doubt had some impact on all the science fiction that followed; but it is Issac Asimov’s robot stories of the forties, later collected and published as I Robot in 1950 that probably captured the imagination of most sci-fi fans. It’s a wonder that it took fifty years - plus - for someone to bring a story to the screen with Asimov’s three robot laws as its inspiration.

The three laws of “I Robot” are:
1-A robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction allow a human being to come to harm. 2-A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the first law. 3-A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second law.

The rules are set forth right at the beginning of “I Robot” by screenwriter Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind”)and attributed to Dr. Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell) the father of modern robot technology and corporate figurehead at U.S. Robotics. His death - purportedly a suicide - launches an investigation that uncovers a plot for a robot takeover linked to a new line of robots that would make U.S. Robotics the most powerful corporate entity in the world. Will Smith is Del Spooner, the cynical wisecracking Chicago future cop with a nose for trouble that puts him on the scent of Sonny (Alan Tudyk), the robot with feelings who killed Dr. Lanning; but he may not be responsible for his death. By definition, Sonny is not a murderer. Only humans commit murder. Sonny is also not your typical robot. This does not surprise Spooner whose fate and very existence is tied to the unerring logic of Dr. Lanning’s creations. Spooner’s and Lanning symbiotic relationship stems from an encounter in the early part of Spooner’s career. The good Doctor trusts him above all others. This trust transcends time and space and Dr. Lannings death in the guise of holographic messages left to Spooner by Lanning to be seen after his death. They provide the clues to his demise, the reason for Sonny’s existence and a conspiracy beyond human comprehension.

Director Alex Proya leads Spooner through the corporate catacombs of U.S Robotics, its top secret labs, and their robot junkyards. Spooner bumps the company’s head honcho, Lawrence Robertson (Bruce Greenwood) and a disbelieving police chief (Chi McBride). Spooner forges an uneasy alliance with Susan Calvin (Bridget Moymnihan), Dr. Lanning’s top assistant. They find common ground in their affection for Dr. Lanning. Her decisions are ruled by scientific logic, Spooner’s are determined by his gut instincts - and his gut instincts tell him not to trust robots. The combination of her logic and his instinct help unlock the mystery of Lanning ‘s death and pierce the shroud of secrecy surrounding Sonny’s uniqueness. His existence has a purpose that becomes more clear as the story progresses. The ending is surprisingly close in spirit to the final scene of Karel Capek’s play R.U.R.

The filmmakers of “I Robot” aren’t afraid to show the audience where the money went. . It’s all up there on the screen with a state of the art CGI army of renegade robots doing battle on the streets and underground roadways of an otherwise pristine Chicago. The final action scene is a thrilling set piece that has Spooner and his comrades trying to save the world inside the corporate brain center of U.S. Robotics.

As a message movie, “I Robot” may seem lacking but as sci-fi noir and action thriller, it ranks with the best.

Copyright 2004

Two cult favorites from Director Alex Proyas

“The Crow” (1994) - The story of a rock musician who rises from the grave to get revenge against the guys who killed him inspired a sequel, a TV movie and a series. The movie is dark, dank and mesmerizing - a major feat of set design. Its star, Brandon Lee, died - if memory serves me correctly - was shot by a gun thought to contain blanks on the movie set in Wilmington, N.C. His untimely death gave an added mystique to the curse that supposedly hung over his family. His father is Bruce Lee.

“Dark City” (1998) - Roger Ebert named this Best Movie of the Year. It’s a unique blend of set design and plot with Rufus Sewell as a suspected serial killer on the loose in a city that never sees the light of day. There’s more here than meets the eye and to say any more would give away the mystery and suspense that awaits anyone who wants to see this little seen gem. The strong supporting cast includes Keifer Sutherland, William Hurt, and Jennifer Connelly. Terrific movie!

Although “Blade Runner” with Harrison Ford as a futuristic cop came immediately to mind when watching “I Robot” I thought it might be more fun to seek out a 1930’s serial for robots on the cheap and two other movies with a robot who many consider the most famous robot of all.

The serial:
“The Phantom Empire” (1935) - Gene Autry rides the range and goes underground to fight the forces of evil in this dated - but fun Saturday afternoon serial from a bygone era.
The robots look like walking tin cans. The death rays are no more than Skypans used on movie sets to light broad areas. They’re most often used as work lights for the crew. Frankie Darrow - star of William Wellman’s “Wild Boys of the Road” (1933) is in this.

Two films with Robby the Robot:

“Forbidden Planet” (1956) - An outer space version of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” with Walter Pidgeon, Leslie Neilson, Anne Francis and Jack Kelly. Robby the Robot got equal billing.

“The Invisible Boy” (1957) - Child star Richard Eyer and Robby the Robot try to save the world in this low budget black and white film that tried to capitalize on the Robot’s popularity. The plot? - Same idea as “I Robot” - ‘nuff said.

Another film that may have inspired a key element in “I Robot” but without the robots.

“Colossus: The Forbin Project” (1970) - Eric Braeden is a scientist trying to regain control of a super computer. Also: anymore might give too much away for this and “I Robot.” Directed by Joseph Sargent who helmed the hit thriller “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.” a few years later.