Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
In 2035, where robots are commonplace and abide by the three laws of robotics, a technophobic cop investigates an apparent suicide. Suspecting that a robot may be responsible for the death, his investigation leads him to believe that humanity may be in danger.
I, Robot is a competent, entertaining sci-fi action blockbuster that borrows Asimov's name and concepts but waters down his philosophical depth into a fairly routine man-vs-machine thriller. The plot hits familiar beats — skeptical loner cop, corporate conspiracy, AI uprising — without much surprise. Will Smith's charismatic performance elevates the material above its script, and the supporting cast is serviceable. Cinematography is polished and functional, with impressive CGI for its era but no particularly distinctive visual identity. Novelty suffers because the film strips the genuine novelty of Asimov's source material in favor of a by-the-numbers action formula; the three laws are used as a plot device rather than explored thoughtfully. The ending resolves predictably with an action set-piece, offering little thematic resonance or ambiguity, feeling more like a summer blockbuster wrap-up than a meaningful science fiction conclusion.