Robots Review
by Marshall Garvey (hunter48 AT goodpeopleunite DOT com)March 16th, 2005
"Robots" (2005)
Review by Marshall Garvey
Rating (0 to 5): 4
Credits:
Directed by Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha
Written by Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel, Jim McClain, and Ron Mita
Produced by Jerry Davis and John C. Donkin
Original music by John Powell
20th Century Fox
91 minutes
Rated PG for some brief language and suggestive humor
Voices: Ewan McGregor (Rodney Copperbottom), Robin Williams (Fender), Halle Berry (Cappy), Mel Brooks (Bigweld), Drew Carey (Crank), Amanda Bynes (Piper), Greg Kinnear (Phineas T. Ratchet), Jim Broadbent (Madame Gasket), Jennifer Coolidge (Aunt Fanny), Paul Giamatti (Tim the Gate Guard), Dianne Wiest (Mrs. Copperbottom), Stanley Tucci (Herb Copperbottom)
"Robots" is a joyous explosion of imagination, a film so delightfully colorful and endlessly entertaining that just when you think it's about to run out of steam, it wows with yet another impressive piece of creativity. It's nothing short of resplendent, with so much incredible detail packed into every frame that I wonder how the filmmakers were able to conceive every last bit. Most of all, even with its eye-popping visual craft to praise endlessly, it's simply a fun time at the movies. In fact, it's such a delight that I honestly believe you'd have to be in an incurably bad mood to not enjoy it.
The world in which "Robots" is set in is one made up almost entirely of metal, wheels, and bolts. It's populated by, well, you know who, and the main character is the eager Rodney Copperbottom (voiced by Ewan McGregor). Rodney has wanted to work as an inventor since his childhood, when he worshiped the great industry owner Bigweld (Mel Brooks), a bulbous and cheery robot who proclaimed that all robots are equal. Supported by his parents (Dianne Wiest and Stanley Tucci), Rodney sets out for the glorious Robot City to meet his hero and pursue his dream, only to find that Bigweld no longer runs his famous company. That control is now in the hands of Phineas T. Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), who greedily seeks to push his new line of upgrades while eliminating spare parts and, thus, old robots as well.
Teaming up with Ratchet's attractive business partner Cappy (Halle Berry) and low-grade but optimistic friends such as Fender (Robin Williams), Piper (Amanda Bynes), and Crank (Drew Carey), Rodney sets out to find the reclusive Bigweld and bring justice to the poor robots that will otherwise be tossed into the fiery caverns overseen by Phineas's own mother, Madame Gasket (Jim Broadbent).
"Robots" is founded entirely upon its creativity, which shows in ways both small and large. There are some cleverly conceived small elements, such as wind-up pigeons and a hustler's watches that beg not to be sold (I was particularly fascinated by the growth of a young robot, which requires new parts at each stage of development). The best moments, however, are undeniably the grand scenes in which directors Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha let their imaginations fly endlessly (wait until you see what they've done with the city's taxi system). They spare no detail in bringing their incredible world to life, in which everything from mailboxes to fire hydrants talk, cars roll along the roads like giant marbles, and everyone pours oil on themselves each morning at the breakfast table. I can't give anymore away, however, as you'll have to experience it all yourself.
Another one of the picture's many assets is its outstanding vocal cast, which brings the characters to life with contagious enthusiasm. The ever-reliable Ewan McGregor is a charismatic lead as Rodney, although the best voices are definitely the ones that get to ham it up in nearly every scene. The highest credit would then perhaps go to Robin Williams (definitely channeling a little bit of Genie here), whose antics never failed to entertain the packed audience at the theater I attended. Most interesting amongst the cast is Jim Broadbent, whose cross-gender role as the domineering Madame Gasket is extremely entertaining and sinister. (See if you can spot some other familiar voices, such as Al Roker, Terry Bradshaw, and Jay Leno.)
Although it is easily recommendable to older viewers, "Robots" will rightfully hold its greatest appeal to younger audiences, with some nearly-requisite potty humor. The lowbrow element comes mostly in the form of a substantially rear-ended caretaker named Aunt Fanny (Jennifer Coolidge), which could probably be considered dumbed-down as opposed to the brain-tickling imagination that drives the rest of the film. The strange thing, however, is that even that humor works.
In fact, everything about "Robots" works. Like a brilliantly constructed piece of machinery, it all comes together and flows without a scratch. If you've already dismissed it as another recycled film for kids, you'll do much good by correcting yourself and catching it. Oh, and make sure to see it with a large audience, so you'll be able to share the fun with everyone else. Even with the beauty of spring providing plenty of outdoor opportunities, "Robots" is still a reminder that some of the greatest joy of any season can come within the dark of a movie theater.
Rating key:
*****-A masterpiece of filmmaking that should be seen at all costs. Kill for a ticket or copy if you must.
****1/2-Oustanding. Don't miss it.
****-Excellent show. Be sure to catch it.
***1/2-A good film. You don't have to rush to see it, but it's worth viewing.
***-A decent movie. Good for a rainy day.
**1/2-Just plain average.
**-Pretty lame. It'll fade from memory as you drive home from the theater.
*1/2-Bad. Just skip it.
*-Simply awful, and worthy of a refund.
1/2-Boycott it.
0-Life will seem shorter and less joyful.
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