"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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X-RAMR-ID: 39554
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1369910
X-RT-TitleID: 10003302
X-RT-AuthorID: 8934
X-RT-RatingText: 4/5
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