Robots, Robots, Robots
Published March 16, 2005
Robots, the latest cinematic excursion in 3-D computer animation, might not rival the monster works being turned out by Pixar, but this offering from director Chris Wedge (who also helmed the respectable Ice Age) still provides enough entertaining moments to leave the theater without cursing children.
In the movie's whimsical world populated by clunky, retro-looking metal robots (think a cross between Forbidden Planet's Robby the Robot and Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots), our perfunctory hero is Rodney Copperbottom (voiced by Ewan McGregor), a young go-getter bot who leaves small-town Rivet City to become an inventor. That dream propels Rodney to the bustling metropolis of Robot City, where he hopes to meet and work for his idol, Bigweld (Mel Brooks), a benign bot who supplies upgrades for aging and antiquated robots.
But drat! Rodney discovers that Bigweld has all but disappeared from the scene. Instead, Bigweld's empire has been hijacked by Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), an evil corporate robot in league with his even-more-evil mother (Jim Broadbent) to take over Robot City. If all this sounds anti-corporate and mildly subversive — well, it is. So much the better.
There is a whole slew of star power here to provide voices, most of whom — including Halle Berry, Stanley Tucci, Jay Leno, Drew Carey and Paul Giamatti — are wasted. Only Robin Williams really has an opportunity to shine as (what else?) a lovable misfit named Fender. It turns out, incidentally, that even an animated Robin Williams can chew up the scenery with the same zeal as Kirstie Alley at a Vegas buffet.
But while the celebrity names are wasted, the jaw-dropping imagination of Robots is mighty impressive. Despite an occasionally rote script, the movie is rife with wonderful details, from the Rube Goldbergian contraptions that are Robot City's transportation system, right down to the grey pinstripes adorning Ratchet's sleek frame. And, yes, there are enough sly pop-culture references to amuse the weary parents in the audience. It ain't The Incredibles, folks, but Robots is entertaining enough during the cinematic netherworld between Christmas and Summer.
- Robots, Robots, Robots
- Published: March 16, 2005
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- Section: Video
- Writer: Chase McInerney
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I thought Williams went to far over the edge. It seems, to me, that when given free reign he goes to far, he needs a director that can control his manic tendencies. The character was unfocused andfell into a category of let's throw it all at the wall and see what sticks. THere were funny moments, but not enough. The animation was the star of this show.
Robin Williams went over the top?!
Imagine that!
re: "The animation was the star of this show..." and/or "The special effects were great!"
--- gawd, next person that says that gets an imaginary Oscar on the top of their pointed heads...
Gotta run: an ancient black and white movie that contains interesting characters and a plot is coming on TCM...
I think that movie was soo funny
Robin williams did a fine job being the vocie of Fender. Those who think otherwise, i understnad that u have your own opinions, but your blind to see his talent that he showed during the film. ... and the shrk person.. God is spelt G O D... not gawd... fricken retard..
I don't think I am blind, Robin is an incredibly talented comedian, and at times a very talented actor. The problem I had with it was that he seemed to be playing comedian rather than actor, and his comedian side can be overbearing and scattershot, it does not do well in the creation of a character. That is why a director needs to reign in his energy to focus it on a more, not sure how to say refined isn't the right word, well, focused performance. You can do a lot of different bits and such, but this was the over the edge comedian Robin which, while funny at times, was a bit detrimental to a film which already had bigger issues.
Don't interpret this as me not liking the movie, I think I just had higher expectations, I was still moderately entertained.
Grace: "God is spelt G O D... not gawd... fricken retard.."
Ironic coming from an illiterate who apparently types with her tail.
PS: "...but your blind..." should be "you're" meaning "you are"
PPS: YER welcome.
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They definitely did not get much mileage out of several of the star voices...unless they wanted the star names to help sell the movie. Robin Williams was excellent, however.