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PCR # 225  (Vol. 5, No. 29)  This edition is for the week of July 12--18, 2004.

This Week's PCR
Movie Review
"I, Robot"

Movie review by:
Michael A. Smith

Three stars

Movies are rated 0 to 4 stars

theater seats


LA FLORIDIANA
A Visit to the North Florida Patron Saint of Pop Culture
 by William Moriaty
THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW
"I, Robot"
 by Mike Smith
ODDSERVATIONS
Don't Fear "The Reaper"
 by Andy Lalino
VINNIE VIDI VICI
Kerry Gets the Dead Vote....Liberal Financing....Japanese Economy Unveiled....Trickledown Economics....Column Correction
 by Vinnie Blesi
MATT'S RAIL
Can You Give me A Helsing OF That?....Bush Speak
 by Matt Drinnenberg
MIKE'S RANT
The Automobile Song....Wanted--A Director With No Vision....Passing On....Money Well Spent....Sci-Fi Dumb....Flame On....Meet The Beatles, Part 25
 by Mike Smith
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20th Century Fox     
Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood and Shia LaBeouf
Directed by: Alex Proyas
Rated: PG 13
Running Time: 1 hour 52 mins


Let me begin by saying this film is credited as being "suggested" by the writings of Issac Asimov. From what I can tell, the only thing in common is the word ROBOT. That being said, "I, Robot" is one of the best science-fiction films to come along in some time.

Chicago. 2035. Some things in the future have changed. Steak and eggs will cost you $30.00 and a couple beers will run you almost 50 bucks. Still, if you know where to look, you can still dig up a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor's! Homicide detective Del Spooner (Smith) begins another day by answering a call. He is shocked to find that the victim is a friend of his, Dr. Alfred Lanning (Cromwell), Lanning is known as the father of modern robotics. His work has brought about a society where robots do many of the tasks people take for granted. The robots are governed by three laws, all which revolve around the main directive that a robot cannot harm a human. Already untrustful of the robots, Spooner now thinks that it was a robot who killed the good doctor. With a major roll out of robots about to begin, his suspicions do not sit well with the company that supplies them. Is a robot to blame? Or is Spooner blinded by his distrust of the machines?

Even in the summer of "Spider-Man 2," "I, Robot" looks to be THE action movie of the year. Director Proyas ("The Crow") stages his scenes with an emphasis on excitement. Be it a high speed motorcycle chase or a battle between man and machine, the screen crackles with electricity. Smith, who pretty much rules the month of July when it comes to movies, is excellent. In what could have been a one-dimensional role, Smith brings true emotion to his performance. Moynahan is fine as a robotic shrink who doesn't understand her metal patients as well as she thinks and Greenwood is sufficiently shady as the owner of the company supplying the robots. Extra credit to art directors Chris August and Helen Jarvis who have conceived a future world that feels familiar yet is strikingly different. On a scale of zero to four stars, I give "I, Robot"  Three stars


This week's movie review of "I, Robot" is ©2004 by Michael A. Smith.  All graphics this page are creations of Nolan B. Canova, ©2004, all rights reserved. All contents of "Nolan's Pop Culture Review" are ©2004 by Nolan B. Canova.