Finally watched I, Robot tonight, since a. I found the DVD for $2, b. it co-stars Bruce Greenwood, c. it was directed by Alex Proyas and d. it is based on a thinkin mans SF writers book, though I actually havent read a lot of Asimov. Predictably, it is an odd compromise between idea-driven SF and obnoxious overblown CGI spectacle replete with shots of Will Smith leaping around and flexing his pecs - which is sort of a compromise, if youll pardon the Ayn Rand paraphrase, between food and poison; I cant imagine ANYONE being really satisfied by this film. However, it had ONE - exactly one! - amazing, moving, memorable moment for a Vancouverite. After seeing a fake computer generated city in ALMOST every shot, the camera tracks down in a specific scene to street level, and you get exactly one recognizable locale in the film: our very own Ovaltine Cafe, the neon immortalized for all to see. Its about the only shot in the movie that had any marked effect on me. (FYI image below appears to be taken during the shoot of the film, its not how the scene looks in the movie).
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 07:00:55 +0000