I Robot (Widescreen Edition)

Amazon.com As paranoid cop Del Spooner, Will Smith (Independence Day, Men in Black) displays both his trademark quips and some impressive pectoral muscles in I, Robot. Only Spooner suspects that the robots that provide the near future with menial labor are going to turn on mankind--he's just not sure how. When a leading roboticist dies suspiciously, Spooner pursues a trail that may prove his suspicions. Don't expect much of a connection to Isaac Asimov's classic science fiction stories; I, Robot, the action movie, isn't prepared for any ruminations on the significance of artificial intelligence. This likable, efficient movie won't break any new ground, but it does have an idea or two to accompany its jolts and thrills, which puts it ahead of most recent action flicks. Also featuring Bridget Moynahan (The Sum of All Fears), Bruce Greenwood (The Sweet Hereafter), and James Cromwell (Babe, LA Confidential). --Bret Fetzer Product Description But that trust is broken when a scientist is found dead and a skeptical detective believes that a robot is responsible. Bridget Moynahan co-stars in this high-tech action thriller that questions whether technology will ultimately lead to mankind's salvation... or annihilation. Direction: Alex Proyas Actors: Adrian Ricard, Alan Tudyk, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, Special features: 2.35:1, Widescreen format. Language: English / Add. French, Spanish / Sub. English, Spanish. Year: 2004 Runtime: 105 minutes Set Contains: The I, Robot DVD has spectacular DTS and Dolby 5.1 sound, but a commentary track by director Alex Proyas (Dark City) and screenwriter Akiva Goldman is the only significant bonus feature. Their track, which was recorded before the movie hit theaters, discusses the characters and their backstories, the influence of other robot films such as Metropolis, and how all actors in Proyas's films have shower scenes. (They also mention a deleted scene that they speculate might appear on the DVD. It's not here, so perhaps a deluxe edition is in the works.) The making-of featurette spends more than half of its 12 minutes on plot summary, but it does have a couple interesting tidbits: Alan Tudyk being "Gollum-ized" to play Sonny the robot, and Paul Mercurio (Strictly Ballroom) putting actors through their paces as Robot Movement Coordinator. --David Horiuchi