Bicentennial Man (PG, 1999)

Set in the not too distant future, this adaptation of Isaac Asimov's story stars Robin Williams as Andrew, a robot in the Martins' fancy home. Although the family elects not to activate the "personality chip," they see that there is something special about Andrew's wiring, a spark of consciousness, creativity, and yearning. Mr. Martin (Sam Neill) promises to help Andrew become all that he can. This is fine when he is teaching Andrew about history, biology, and even humor, and when he wants to be adapted so that he can show more expression in his face, but less fine when Andrew wants freedom. And he is uncomfortable with his growing affection for Andrew: "You can't invest your feelings in a machine." Martin's understanding daughter, "Little Miss," (Embeth Davditz) does not hesitate to care deeply for Andrew, and remains close to him all her life.

Overall, BICENTENNIAL MAN is a sweet movie that gives families a good opportunity to talk about what makes us human. As Andrew lives on past the lives of his original family, he stays close to their descendants, especially "Little Miss's" look-alike granddaughter, Portia. He uses the latest technology to provide himself with skin, hair, a neural system, a digestive system, and finally, to become fully human, mortality. Just like Woody in "Toy Story 2," Andrew has a choice between pristine immortality and a limited, uncertain, but deeply engaged existence.

Studio: Touchstone Pictures
Director: Chris Columbus
Cast: Embeth Davidtz, Robin Williams, Sam Neill
Genre: Drama
Run time: 132 minutes
Theatrical release: December 17, 1999
DVD release: June 13, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: language and some sexual content