QUICKSAND'S BLOG

Quicksand

The Pros and Cons of "I, Robot"
Saturday, July 10, 2004

First, the Pros:

--Alan Tudyk. Obviously.

--The film was directed by Aussie Alex Proyas, who also directed "The Crow," and "Dark City," in addition to lots of music videos and smaller art hits ("Garage Days").

--Isaac Asmiov. Smart Guy.

--Actors Chi McBride ("Gone in 60 Seconds") and James Cromwell (lots of stuff) are always fun to watch.

This was the best I could do. Seriously. I LOVE Alex Proyas. But, here are the cons:

--Will Smith. Sure, he's a charming, charismatic actor, but he hasn't been in a good FILM since Men in Black ... in 1997. He hasn't ACTED since Ali in 2001. Not that this movie will require him to act. It's just, being charismatic will only get you so far. Sooner or later, you have to ACT.

--Special Effects. They look cool and all, but can we all agree, TOO many effects are an indicator that the writers were short on story? See also, The Phantom Menace .

--Akiva Goldsman. I don't care if he won an Oscar for A Beautiful Mind . This does not go far at all in making up for Batman and Robin , A Time to Kill , Practical Magic , and Lost in Space . This guy SUCKS. He can't write, he can only steal, and badly. Huge chunks of A Beautiful Mind were stolen (and not very well) from the films Fight Club and The Sixth Sense . Huge chunks of Batman and Robin were stolen from "Batman the TV Show." I mean, REALLY.

--Isaac Asimov? The only thing this movie has in common with the book... is the title. Oh, and the character of Susan Calvin.

Well, if you think I'm bein' stupid, please let me know. But with all the above, I really think the scales are tipped in favor of "Suck." Anyone else care to weigh in?

COMMENTS

Saturday, July 17, 2004 8:30 PM

FIREFLYPASSENGER


My sister and I also gave a shout out when Alan's name came up in the credits.

I truly enjoyed Alan's performance. Alan worked very hard and it showed. I always enjoy Will's performances. I never read Asimov so I really had no preconceptions. I think the movie was great. The following is a link that says it better than I can.

http://www.thehotbutton.com/today/hot.button/2004_thb/040708_thu.html

If you want Asimov then you may be disappointed. If you go with an open mind to something unique you may be surprised. I know I will be going back to catch more of the subtleties and nuances. I highly recommend this movie.

Excellent job Alan!

Friday, July 16, 2004 1:09 PM

ECGORDON


Alan (if that really was you) I will agree with you on two things. You should not judge anything until you have experienced it for yourself. Well, I've seen "I, Robot" now, and I agree with you. Bridget Moynahan does look great in futuristic leather pants.

Your voice work was also good, but the rest of the film...not so much.

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 7:47 PM

QUICKSAND


DAMMIT, people. I respect the man and I respect his work, and I respect all of YOU for having firm opinions and a geniune curiousity for the work in question.

But this whole thing started because: CRAP, stop calling it an adaptation. Alan is great, but I'm mad at the STUDIO (and I am not the only one) for slapping the "I, Robot" title on there, when that's not what it is.

Calling your movie the same name as a book does not make it so.

I'm not trashing the movie, I'm trashing the studio for a bad marketing decision. Bad, studio, bad.

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 5:20 PM

FIREFLYPASSENGER


Hey Alan,

It's me, Rosie.

I'm sitting here just cracking up at the thought of you lurking reading these posts.

It really lifts our spirits when the cast stops by to say hi. Thanks for posting.

I for one will be watching I,Robot on opening day, looking forward to it.

BTW- E-mail Haken to get an official sign on.

"I agree, I agree, me too, me too."

Very funny! :)

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 5:20 PM

FIREFLYPASSENGER


Hey Alan,

It's me, Rosie.

I'm sitting here just cracking up at the thought of you lurking reading these posts.

It really lifts our spirits when the cast stops by to say hi. Thanks for posting.

I for one will be watching I,Robot on opening day, looking forward to it.

BTW- E-mail Haken to get an official sign on.

"I agree, I agree, me too, me too."

Very funny! :)

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 4:37 PM

NDREAMS


I will go see it this weekend and reserve judgement for myself. I don't mind if a movie doesn't follow a book. As long as it makes me forget the original story I read and get caught up in their new intrepretation.

I heard a wonderful review of Alan's performance on ABC's morning show this morning (Good Morning America?). The guy said too bad they don't have a special Oscar category for this type of role because it should be given to Alan!

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 1:42 PM

HORSENBUGGY


In response to Alan, I say, "I agree, I agree, me too, me too."

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 7:17 AM

ANNIK


Fabulous to see Alan posting (suspending my disbelief in light of the ongoing tendency of our BDHs to avoid using paragraph breaks in their posts ).

I'll be honest ... I'm not a big fan of Asimov's works. His factual essays are brilliant ... easy to read despite the difficult topics. Captain Dummy-Talk, IOW.

But Alan is proving to be an actor to watch (talent), and Will Smith is easy on the eyes and the ears (talent or otherwise--I reserve judgement on this one).

So I'll be seeing it for the actors involved, despite the Asimov connection. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the movie will be much, much better than typical Asimov fiction.

(Clarification: I believe Asimov was/is a significant influence on modern SF, but he style just doesn't sit well with me on the whole. That said, at least two of his short stories are in my all-time fave list, so I've usually read his stuff, hoping to find other gems.)

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 6:03 AM

BROWNCOAT1


I totally agree w/ Alan.

I for one am looking forward to "I, Robot". Even my wife who is not much of a fan of Sci Fi is excited about seeing this movie. The trailers look great and eye candy aside, the story is an Asimov one. I love Asimov's books and I think this movie will be great.

I was skeptical of the movie at first. We all know that movies (or Hollywood) seldom do the books they are based on justice. The more I see & read of this movie though, the more psyched I am to go see it.

I think it is great that Alan has taken the opportunity to plug "Serenity" in his many interviews w/ journalists about "I, Robot". His efforts can only help the impact at the box office, and I for one am very grateful for his having done so.

"Hoban Washburn"? I can see why your character would shorten it to "Wash". :)

Thanks for posting Alan, I am just sorry it had to be on something like this blog.

I hope you can post again some time. Please feel free to stop in & post anytime.

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 1:17 AM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG


I advise everyone who doesn't like the action based American trailer to seek out the Japanese version. I wasn't looking forward to the film (was gonna see it anyhow, friends liked the look of it and Alan's in it) until I saw the Japanese version which kicks all kinds of ass, and sets it out to be a deeper and more impressive film than just the American "Robot Wars" trailer.

Oh, and the reason it says Jerry Lee is because someone misheard "Good work Kaylee" for "Good Work Jerry Lee" in the series. It's no big conspiracy.

Monday, July 12, 2004 9:40 PM

JCOBB


Well, on the off chance that that was Alan, and he reads this post, I did just want to commend him on his work in Dodgeball. Really did a good job as Steve the Pirate.

Monday, July 12, 2004 7:30 PM

SHINY


Alan, don't worry -- like the banner says, we browncoats got yer back, even if it's another movie and we don't get to see your ugly mug! (just kiddin'...but I do agree with QS that you could totally take Andy Serkis!) ;)

- Shiny (goin' to see I, Robot with the missus this Fri)

Monday, July 12, 2004 5:57 PM

QUICKSAND


Rollergal... you take an academic view of film, but you don't read?! I spot an error in your logic, and I am so totally calling you on it.

Just like a movie trailer is supposed to pique curiousity, it can also quash it. ('pique' and 'quash' are the words of the day, everybody. if i use them again, scream real loud!) ... If I just saw a page on the IMDB that said, directed by Alex Proyas, starring Will Smith, Alan Tudyk, James Cromwell, Bridgit Moynahan, Chi McBride... then I'd be in. Akiva Goldsman would make me waver a bit, but ultimately the director has final say. Often times, writers aren't even allowed on a movie set.

Back to what Rollergal wrote-- yes, movies and books are different mediums, and yes, artistic difference must necessarily exist. But calling this movie 'I Robot' is like calling the American Godzilla 'Godzilla.' It's a remake in name only.

Which is not to say this movie will in any way be like 'Godzilla.' Roland Emmerich is a b-movie director, and Alex Proyas is A Damn Genius (I feel another blog coming on). This is also not to say that Rollergal doesn't read. Maybe she does. She certainly writes. But it interests ME to read a book and then go see the movie, just because I love film and want to see how they landed it. A few summers back, I went and read "A Clockwork Orange" and "2001" and then "Get Shorty" just because. Great stories. They weren't their movies, but I understand the difference in medium.

Bottom line: Yes, I'll see the movie. I'll comment on it again. But before it's there, ALL of us, Asimov readers or no, are entitled to worry that it might be a little more "Wild Wild West" than it is "Dark City."

C'est la vie.

Oh, and mad props to the guy who referred to "The Proyas." A fellow film geek if I ever I spotted one.

Monday, July 12, 2004 7:07 AM

BLEYDDYN


Am I the only person on this planet who liked Practical Magic?

I'm only a moderate Asimov fan, but I have to admit I was really not planning on watching the movie based on the previews. As far as I could tell it had nothing whatsoever to do with the any of the stories from the book (which my Wife and I just re-read).

Well, we tend to go to early morning matinee's (cheapish, and uncrowded) so we'll probably see it at some point.

Sunday, July 11, 2004 6:14 PM

ELVIS


You can get a movie ticket for only nine bucks? Lucky guy.

Sunday, July 11, 2004 1:29 PM

QUICKSAND


Now that's humbling.

First, Alan has been reading this site this entire time and hasn't said anything (naughty Alan!)

Second, Alan, you were the bomb in "War Stories."

Third... well, there is no third. I, too, hate people that dump all over another's work for no good reason. That's really not what I meant to do, and I hope I didn't ruin your day.

Ideally, my post speaks for itself as far as what it does and does not mention. I should have added, my opinion could (and probably shall) be swayed on or near opening weekend.

I'm on your side, the side of the movie, but the above listed cons are really just what makes me nervous... as with any unseen Hollywood Blockbuster, there's always that chance. (A jousting movie with modern music?! That'll NEVER work!)

Like everyone who is posting here, I hope my above post turns out to be way wrong, and the movie rocks harder than Dodgeball (if that's possible). It's not that I don't respect you or your work or the work of your co-stars... just, man, I've respected Asimov for so much LONGER.

Um, anyway, thanks for keeping us honest. Ultimately, I believe the genius of Alex Proyas can overcome anything, regardless of what I wrote above. And everyone else reading this should believe that too. Rock on.

Oh, and I totally believe you could take Andy Serkis in a streetfight.

Nothing but Love,
(in a manly, platonic way)
Quicksand
(Adam W.)

Sunday, July 11, 2004 5:18 AM

GMAJOR


Just don't go opening weekend. The Suits only care about the opening weekend box office, and as long as people flock to schlock, the studios will keep pumping it out.

By the same token, let's make sure there are lineups around the block when Serenity opens!

Saturday, July 10, 2004 7:34 PM

XITHOR


Hear hear.

In a real Asimov story Will Smith's character would probably be an antagonist, not the hero

Saturday, July 10, 2004 7:15 PM

THATWEIRDGIRL


sounds about right


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