“Robots” (20th Century Fox)
“Robots” proves to be the one animated movie too many in the recent glut of such movies. It takes all the worst elements of “Shark Tale” and adds some more to it such as too, too many “star” voice talents; a creaky and cranky story; and the total waste of Robin Williams’ vocal talents. Kids will still enjoy the basic entertainment value of the film but adults will feel they have seen this “tin man” story one time too many.
In true “Oz” fashion the movie centers on Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor), a young robot inventor who wants to go to the big city and meet Mr. Bigweld (Mel Brooks). When he gets to the city he doesn’t meet Bigweld, instead he meets Fender (Williams). Together they tackle trying to meet Bigweld but instead they meet Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), an evil robot who has taken over Bigweld’s empire.
There is a love interest for Robin named Cappy (Halle Berry). She is an executive at Bigweld’s corporate office. There is also a fresh-voiced young girl robot named Piper (Amanda Bynes) who seems to have a crush on Robin.
For whatever reason (script, characters, etc) none of this comes together to make a cohesive, enjoyable movie. Robin the robot never captures the heart and attention of the audience, and Robin the voice actor never gets the lines or the magic to make him the “star” of the show as he was in “Aladdin.”
What remains is a rusty and crusty story that takes forever to get where it is going, and a mumble jumble of voice talents who pop in and out and never make an impression. Plus there are one or two musical numbers that are totally, and I do mean totally, forgettable.
The film is rated PG for some moments of adult humor.
“Robots” joins “Bicentennial Man” as failed Robin Williams robot movies. Better to bring out “Aladdin 17” than thrust this type of junk upon his fans. This “tin man” adventure not only doesn’t have a brain, it also doesn’t have any comedy or action to oil its creaky plot.
I scored “Robots” a rusty 4 out of 10.
