See more movie reviews

I, Robot (PG-13, 2004)

common sense media says

Will Smith almost redeems generic man vs. machine actioner.

parents & educators say
See all 69 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that though most of the violent attacks are directed at robots, the creatures (some with distinct personalities and human voices) are crushed, dismembered, exploded, shot at, and destroyed. The results of one car crash are particularly intense. Humans are also in danger: a scientist is dead and bloody on the ground having fallen from a great height; repeated flashbacks show a young girl trapped and drowning in a car; a great, military-like force of robots chase and try to kill humans. Swearing is relatively mild, but there are many instances of  "ass," "s--t," "goddamn," "hell," "piss," etc. In one early scene, Will Smith is seen in the shower, naked from the back, perhaps to compare the human physical ideal with the robotic form, otherwise it seems gratuitous. Product placement is obvious and frequent.

Positive messages: Human beings have to be watchful as they develop newer and more complex technology; There is a danger inherent in letting automation take over so many aspects of our lives. The hero faces ridicule and punishment for following through on his beliefs; sometimes doing what you think is right has consequences.
Positive role models: Heroes come in all sizes, shapes, colors, and genders: African-American police officers and supervisors, female scientific expert, etc. Leading character begins as "robo-phobic," but learns to accept, even respect, the robotic beings. 
Violence: Heavy on violent Robot versus Human action. Numerous scenes in which robots are shot and "terminated." Robots chase and attack humans in several sequences. A particularly intense car accident results in major destruction of the robots. A little girl is shown trapped underwater in repeated visuals. A dead human body is seen on the floor with blood around the mouth. Character jumps out of window.
Sex: Brief shot of naked backside.
Language: Frequent cursing: "ass" in various forms, along with "s--t," "goddamn," "hell," "damn," "sonofabitch," "kiss my ass," "pissed off."
Consumerism: Obvious and frequent product placement including JVC, Converse, Fed Ex, and Audi.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some alcohol consumption: drinking from a bottle, social drinking, one high ball.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on I, Robot

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about technology. What do you think the filmmakers are trying to say about the fast pace of developing technology? What are the positive effects of the changes? What are the dangers?
  • Do you think that movie violence is easier to watch when the object of destruction is not human? How does that compare to "cartoon" violence?
  • Was the movie successful at creating the year 2035? How did the sets, visual effects, music, and costumes contribute to your experience?
  • Del Spooner seems to be the only person suspicious of the robot culture. What kinds of pressure does he have to face because of his beliefs? How does he change over the course of the story? How does he change others?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Chicago, 2035. Robots are an integral part of society's daily life. On the eve of the launch of a new, advanced order of robot technology, the scientist responsible for its development (James Cromwell) is found dead, presumably a suicide. Police Detective Del Spooner (Will Smith) is called in to investigate. Spooner, who admits to an ongoing prejudice against robots, believes the scientist was murdered.  His suspicions are bolstered when he confronts a renegade robot, "Sunny," who appears to have broken the accepted robot code. Spooner becomes a target himself as he pursues his theory against the wishes of the police establishment and in defiance of U.S. Robotics, a corporate giant. As Spooner gets closer to the truth, war between Man and The Machine becomes inevitable.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
I, ROBOT is inspired by a collection of Isaac Asimov stories. In those stories, basic laws for robot behavior are set down: 1) a robot cannot harm a human or allow one to be harmed; 2) a robot must obey human instructions less those instructions conflict with Law #1; and 3) a robot must protect himself unless doing so conflicts with Laws #1 and #2. Using those basic rules, director Alex Proyas and his team have set out to make an entertaining "good versus evil" action movie with hero Will Smith reliable in his likable "everyman" role. On some levels it works: lots of good special effects, imaginative settings, the requisite mayhem, destruction, and suspense. However, very little attention has been paid to wit or originality. Even less attention has been paid to the quality of some key performances: a few characters are one-note wonders and others seem even more robotic than the automated fellows with whom they interact. Entertaining, yes; memorable, no.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Alex Proyas
Cast: Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, Will Smith
Genre: Science Fiction
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: July 16, 2004
DVD release: December 14, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: intense stylized action and some brief partial nudity
This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 
 

Review It

 

Review I, Robot

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

10

Most useful reviews by all members

kellipetrelli
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Good for tweens
I liked how the characters bonded and worked together and how the movie played out. It is an interesting concept, seeing that is slowly turning into this. Robots are replacing most simple machines and this may just be what the world comes to. Ralistic Idea if you really think about it.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (11)
movie fan141999
kid, 12 years old
9
 
Perfect for older kids
alsome for older kids. LOVE IT
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (11) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (6)
Mr581
teen, 18 years old
10
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (10) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (7)
pie or pie
kid, 12 years old
9
 
very good
great movie i found i better than hancock very good i saw this when i wassss mmmm 5 yea 5cause i came out 2004 any way it was cool and dark some what and i was actualy beliveable the plot was awsome and well drawn out maybe thats why it was a good movie. ps i thought this was also one of wills best movies nine and up
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (9)
VballCutie8
teen, 13 years old
11
 
Great Movie!
I really did like this movie it was really good! My concerns are if your scared real easily then this isnt the movie for you. The sexuality isnt bad except for when Will Smith takes a shower you can see his backside but its really blurry cause of the mist and another thing is when Dr.Calvin is taking a shower but the shower mirror thing is also blurry so you cant see anything thats really my only concerns. There is some swearing but not bad for a PG-13.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (8)
Plague
parent
10
 
I, Robot
An outstanding Will Smith movie. Great action will no gore but very little blood. Intense human vs. robot fighting scenes that make this movie that much better,
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (9) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (6)
movielover45
teen, 14 years old
11
 
Amazing Action Pic but has Swearing Throughout.
This movie with will smith is a winner! This movie has great special effects, acting and amazing storytelling. The worst issue is swearing but I Tell you, Will Smith swears GOOD! The violence is very stylized and has a lot of kicking, punching and fighting. There are some gun fights but there is no blood. probably the most bloody seene is when they show the creator of the robots dead in the middle of a building ( an apperant sucide). This movie I would say for eleven year olds and older, no less. Great FILM!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (9)
jesusismyhero
teen, 13 years old
12
 
good for tweens and up.
LOVED this movie! lots of action. and the semi creepiness of this movie was cool. my only concern was the small amount of language in this movie, but other than that it was AWESOME!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
shannon x
adult
6
 
i think this is fine, my little brother had watched it and he is and no issues there i just think that milder kids should be caustioned but its relatively fine and we can t wrap kids in cotton wall there gonna seee swearing everywhere we cant stop it so i think this is a excellent film for all ages except under 5's cause they could get slightly scared
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (5)
Castellanos
adult
10
 
Entertaining, Will Smith Action Movie
I, Robot is very different than the book. If you go to this movie expecting a paper-to-screen transformation, you'll be disappointed in that aspect. However, that is probably the only aspect of this movie you could be disappointed by. Will Smith is a superb actor and the director creates a realistic future world. The plot develops through the movie and builds up to a satisfying finale. If you're in the mood for a PG-13, Sci-fi, action movie, this one of the best. Parents should know that I, Robot has a lot of action violence, mostly involving robots v.s. humans where robots are torn to bits and humans are thrown about, however it is almost all bloodless though. There is PG-13 swearing (s**ts, a*shole, jacka*s) and a side profile of a naked will smith (nothing visible).
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (8)
Drlrocks
kid, 9 years old
15
 
Most amazing movie ever!
Wow. This movie had tons of violence in it. It shows one character in the shower but theres mist in it. I was stunned by the curses.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
Jadenp
teen, 15 years old
13
 
I am 14, and i love this movie! However, this movie does have a fair amount of language- including s--t, b---h, h-ll, d-mn, one brief use of f---, b----rd, a-s, a--h-le.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
12
 
Stylish movie
Once again another great summer blockbuster that actually makes you think. I mean, in today's age where we all depend so much on machines, what if we made robots that turned on us? It's food for thought, and definitely one of Will Smith's best work acting wise.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)
miaka yuki
teen, 15 years old
13
 
a good catch
it will enlighten the minds of the new generation what too much advance technology is doing to us and how dangerous it is for us.though its too futuristic,its true.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (8)
Swit Swat
kid, 12 years old
13
 
A perfect sci-fi movie!
This a great movie that you will enjoy... if you're old enough anyway. Parents should be really careful of letting their young children watch this. There is a ton of sci-fi action violence and intense action. Some language too. Overall it is a good movie.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
sek98
teen, 14 years old
11
 
Really Good!
I Robot was a good movie. It swears quite a bit, but the plot is great. It is a little weird at first but it gets really good. I would definetly read it. And of course Will Smith is great!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
ben10785
kid, 11 years old
7
 
the best ever
good
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (7)
Shawdy1050
teen, 14 years old
11
 
One use of F*** Professior tells Sonny to through him out of a lab window and fall 80 ft down (doesn't show it happening) but kinda obvious it happened. Shows professior laying died on floor. Awsome movie though see it
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (3)
G2B
kid, 13 years old
12
 
Great robot-action Movie
Really good robot-action movie, not scary or too bad, some fighting scenes that include an intense part with will smith being attacked by robots in his car, another scene with a cat and a huge robot machine thing, but its really not as bad as it may seem, i mean language might even be worse than the violence, some bloody cuts though but not disturbing, a great movie to watch overall .
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (4)
masterchief117
kid, 12 years old
7
 
one of the best sci-fi movies ever
this is not a very violent movie. most of the violence is on robots. when robots are shot holes can be seen in them sometimes. the language is very mild kids hear worst thing at school. a dead corpse is seen on the ground with some blood its seen a few times later on. a very good movie i dont think parents should be too worried. i think if you take out a bit of language and the later shots of the corpse this can be rated PG.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see I, Robot?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Better action movies set in the future
For kids who love sci-fi and fantasy
Browse more movies
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines