Racism and acceptance in I Robot

Most films of this sort come with the in-built assumption that one day computers will become ‘human’ and turn on us.

Fri, 06 Aug, 2004 - 18:17

I Robot

Director: Alex Proyas

Cast: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, Chi McBride

Cert: 12.

We are in the future and the world has learned to live with robots; until…

Most films of this sort come with the in-built assumption that one day computers will become ‘human’ and turn on us. Here murder detective Del Spooner (Smith) has never been happy with the way humans have handed so much to the machines, come to rely on them for almost everything. His is a character who comes with bigotry against the new robotic society which surrounds him.

When a human is found murdered, Spooner is convinced a machine is the guilty party.

The theme of the film is racism and acceptance - the robots being the menacing outsiders - but these elements are never fully explored. Ultimately, the promise isn’t fulfilled and good ideas are left unexplored.

Smith is, as always, sharp enough to make the film watchable, but it is not as clever as it might have been.

Star Rating: 3/5