Fast forward again, it is the week leading up to the film's release. I read another story chronicling a bit of how I, Robot came to the screen. It said that it was based on a pre-existing script entitled Hardwired. This made it's way to the studio, then they also acquired the rights to the Isaac Asimov novel. It was then rewritten by Akiva Goldsman (Batman & Robin, Lost in Space, A Beautiful Mind) to include elements from the novel and tack on the new title. I am of the persuasion that this would have been better if they kept what they had, didn't tack on the I, Robot title and Asimovisms, in favor of making a true I, Robot film. I question the marketing strategy, as I am not sure how much pull the Asimov book title has with today's blockbuster flocking teen audience. Granted, it is a much cooler title than Hardwired, but still.

It is now time to see the movie. I purchased my ticket, got my popcorn and soda, found a good seat, sat down, crossed my fingers and hoped the bad reviews I had seen were wrong. It was time to put my trust in Alex Proyas to the test. The screen flickered on, the trailers play, I can't remember all, but we got Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Collateral, and Alien vs. Predator, there may have been one more, but that's not important, trailers are a discussion for another time. The titles come up, nice title design, the movie starts.

Where to begin with the film, the story would probably be the most logical place. Detective Spooner(Smith), is called to the scene of the apparent suicide of Dr. Alfred Lanning(James Cromwell). It is up to Spooner to find out the truth behind the suicide. Spooner is not a likely candidate for this assignment due to his hatred for all things robot, and Lanning being the top designer for US Robotics. During the investigation, he comes across, the coolly robotic, yet fully human, Susan Calvin(Bridget Moynahan). She alternately impedes and helps the investigation. Also there for the ride is suspect number one Sonny the robot(voiced by Alan Tudyk). I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but action ensues and secrets are revealed as the layers surrounding the motives are stripped away.

Sadly, the film did not live up to the expectations I had upon first hearing about the project. On the other hand, it did survive the expectations I had for a Will Smith action vehicle, although on the lower end of that scale. Before I get into what I didn't like, and thus releasing your ire upon me, from some anyway, there actually were some things that I really liked about the movie, some technical, and some content based. So let's break it down shall we?

The special effects and design were excellent. They were convincing throughout, the way the robots moved and interacted with the environment perfect. The overall look of the film is very similar to that of Minority Report, so much so, that they could probably exist in the same universe. They successfully created a future city that was more or less believable. Also, The hallway robot fight was well executed, exciting, brutal, and in tone with the film. This was a good CGI fight, as opposed to that really, really bad one at the end of Van Helsing earlier this year. From the next logical step to speak of is Sonny the robot, CG effects to CG characters, you still with me?