Robots
review by Todd Hertz | posted 03/11/05

 
Related:

�?Talk About It/Family Corner
 

 
Looking at the checklist to making a good animated film, the above-average and fun Robots has all the necessary parts: terrific animation, a plucky hero, big set pieces, big-named voices, excitement, laughter, morals, a heartstring-pulling ending, and an inspiring journey from zero to hero. But still, something feels lacking—as if the wiring holding it all together has a short circuit (robot pun intended).

Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor) and Fender (Robin Williams)
 
While entertaining, Robots almost feels like a mechanical exercise (okay, I'll quit the puns) in how to make an entertaining family film instead of relying on innovative storytelling to create magic like CG powerhouses The Incredibles and Shrek 2 accomplished. The result is an enjoyable movie you laugh with, cheer on, and even tear up during—but once you leave the theater, not much of it sticks with you.

There's a lot to like about Robots. Set in a fantastically imaginative world populated only by robots, everything has a personality: bass drums, mailboxes, and even fire hydrants. The robots are pretty cool and unique. Some roll, some walk and some hop on springs. Some are chrome-covered and fancy. Others are made out of toasters or old car parts. But no matter what they are made of, the robots of this world are really just metal people with emotions and human experiences—including growing up, having dreams, and resigning to failure.

Robin Williams (the voice of Fender) goes a bit over the top with his innuendoes
 
The movie centers on the idealistic Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor), who is loved by his parents but grows up with nothing more than hand-me-down parts. Despite the embarrassment of not being top-of-the-line, Rodney has big dreams. He's especially inspired by inventor/TV celebrity Big Weld (Mel Brooks), whose slogan is: "If you are made of new parts or used parts, you can shine no matter what." With big aspirations and his dad's encouragement, Rodney sets out on a Wizard of Oz trek to meet Big Weld and become a famous inventor.

When Rodney gets to Robot City, he discovers that Big Weld is missing and the ambitious Ratchet (Greg Kinnear) has taken over Big Weld Industries and introduced a new slogan: "Why be you when you can be new?" You see, Ratchet realized there's no money in telling people that they are okay they way they are. Instead, he hopes to make them feel "crummy" about themselves to he can sell more upgrades. Part of his plan is to stop selling repair parts so bots have to either buy an expensive upgrade �?or become scrap metal.

Halle Berry's voice is wasted on the Cappy character (left)
 
With no other hope, Rodney leads the feisty and unstable Fender (Robin Williams) and his crew of quirky "outmodes" to find Big Weld, beat Ratchet, and find parts for Rodney's dad before he's taken to the chop shop.

It's a good storyline supported by almost photo-realistic animation, but a few hitches keep it all from working to potential. The biggest problem is that both the great self-worth theme and promising storyline get convoluted as they go by needless subplots and incomplete explanations. This causes the fast-moving film (only 90 minutes) to lose momentum and feel very long in places. And, most disappointingly, the ever-relevant moral of being yourself in a culture that says you're not good enough descends into a Spartacus-like violent rebellion. That's right, kids, you're good enough the way you are �?so kick the tar out of those holding you down!

Secondly, many components to the film feel like they are there because they have to be. For instance, the film boasts a ton of big names. But attached to many of these big names are pretty dull voices. Only Williams, Kinnear, Brooks and Amanda Bynes stand out. On the other hand, Halle Berry as the love interest is a complete waste of a big salary. And her character is also worthless; she's apparently only in the film because movies "have" to have a love interest.

No ifs, ands, or bots, it's party time
 
Another wrench in the machinery (last pun, really) is that the movie ineffectively tries to appeal to both adults and kids. The screenwriters mistakenly assume kid humor equals fart jokes and adult humor equals sexual euphemisms instead of just relying on an increasing complexity of jokes. And as fun as he is, Robin Williams is allowed to get away with too many out-of-place lines like "Inside you is a big fashion model waiting to throw up" and "You can bunk with me. We'll ignore the gossip."

Still, the film is a fun ride with plenty of laughs, excitement and touching moments about living out your dreams no matter your make, model or build. Both kids and adults will enjoy the film even though it doesn't consistently fire on all cylinders (sorry, couldn't help it).

Talk About It   Discussion starters
1. What is the biggest lesson Rodney learns in the movie? How about Big Weld? Or Rodney's Dad?

2. Why do you think Big Weld has been gone for so long? Why do you think he comes back to help Rodney?

3. Which do we hear more often: "If you are made of new parts or used parts, you can shine no matter what," or "Why be you when you can be new?" How are those messages conveyed today? How does the Bible respond to both?

4. Could the "outmodes" have done anything to prove they were okay being themselves other than fight back violently? What?

The Family Corner For parents to consider
Rated PG for some brief language and suggestive humor, Robots doesn't have any swearing but a lot of sexual euphemisms playing with words like "oiled," "screwed," and "making a baby." There's a lot of flatulence and jokes (some even sexual) about one female character's large rear-end. The film also includes some scary situations including a hell-like chop shop and war violence that includes sharp weapons.

Photos © Copyright Blue Sky Studios

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