Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Robots 6.5/10
Yes, I know I've promised to write up about Robots for at least 2 weeks now .. but hey, better late than never.
Now - before I defend the low score let me just say that I laughed .. a lot! The look of the movie is great - kitschy retro-look from back in the 50's & 60's. The colors are bright & vivid, the gigantic robot city in particular has been beautifully realized. In my opinion, this s the best "conceptual" movie since "Monsters, Inc.". There are a lot of jokes & references to, for example, Star Wars & Lord of the Rings (some are not so obvious, BTW). All in all, it's just beautiful, beautiful eye candy! And Robin Williams excels as Fender. Just watch his rendition of "Singin' In The Oil"! It's a classic I tell ya! If I'm not mistaken, it's Robin Williams return to animation since "Alladin" (oh boy, was that an amazing performance!).
Now the reasons why the movie fell short. The script was clearly sacrificed at the altar of eye-candy! On two counts: first, the plot is a little too stock ("Be yourself. Find your strengths. Stay true to your friends." etc. etc.). This might be OK for the wee ones in the hall, but to the adults, it's a little lame. Secondly, there are some inconsistencies with the "romances" in the plot. The "heroine" isn't present for most of the movie ... the audience thinks that the "hero" will wind up with someone else ... but is suddenly back together with the "heroine" ... consistency, people! A thirdly, and perhaps most unforgivingly, Robin Williams does not have enough screen time. Admitedly, when you're working with such a long list of A-Class stars, you have to find screen time to satisfy everyone. But to not deliberately not give Robin Williams enough screen time in an animated movie ... c'mon people! Get with the program here!
So ... it's definitely a movie to watch on the big screen. But you'll come away wanting more! Extra scenes in the DVD, perhaps?
Now - before I defend the low score let me just say that I laughed .. a lot! The look of the movie is great - kitschy retro-look from back in the 50's & 60's. The colors are bright & vivid, the gigantic robot city in particular has been beautifully realized. In my opinion, this s the best "conceptual" movie since "Monsters, Inc.". There are a lot of jokes & references to, for example, Star Wars & Lord of the Rings (some are not so obvious, BTW). All in all, it's just beautiful, beautiful eye candy! And Robin Williams excels as Fender. Just watch his rendition of "Singin' In The Oil"! It's a classic I tell ya! If I'm not mistaken, it's Robin Williams return to animation since "Alladin" (oh boy, was that an amazing performance!).
Now the reasons why the movie fell short. The script was clearly sacrificed at the altar of eye-candy! On two counts: first, the plot is a little too stock ("Be yourself. Find your strengths. Stay true to your friends." etc. etc.). This might be OK for the wee ones in the hall, but to the adults, it's a little lame. Secondly, there are some inconsistencies with the "romances" in the plot. The "heroine" isn't present for most of the movie ... the audience thinks that the "hero" will wind up with someone else ... but is suddenly back together with the "heroine" ... consistency, people! A thirdly, and perhaps most unforgivingly, Robin Williams does not have enough screen time. Admitedly, when you're working with such a long list of A-Class stars, you have to find screen time to satisfy everyone. But to not deliberately not give Robin Williams enough screen time in an animated movie ... c'mon people! Get with the program here!
So ... it's definitely a movie to watch on the big screen. But you'll come away wanting more! Extra scenes in the DVD, perhaps?
