 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
I, Robot
- Review Date: November 19, 2009
- PG-13
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Will Smith almost redeems generic man vs. machine actioner.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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).
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Kid, 12 years old
April 18, 2010
AGE
Perfect for older kids
alsome for older kids. LOVE IT
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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
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AGE
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,
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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
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AGE
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.
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Alex Proyas |
| Cast: | Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, Will Smith |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 16, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | December 14, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense stylized action and some brief partial nudity |
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