Customer Reviews

Robots [VHS]

5 star:		(95)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(40)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

As reviewers, it's natural for us to compare an artist's work to his/her previous album, movie, book, etc. In this case, it becomes "natural" to compare "Robots" to the previous animated hit by Fox, "Ice Age". If we do this, "Robots" comes out lacking against its frozen predecessor. It is not as novel in terms of its intent and also the script is not as powerful (perhaps because it's also tougher to relate to inanimate beings such as robots, than it is to relate to animals or humans). But still, it is a funny (though predictable) movie, with touching moments and plenty of excitement all through it. I particularly enjoyed the ride that Rodney is put through when he arrives in Robot City, in order to get to the headquarters of Big Weld, where he dreams of working.

The humor can be argued to be more adult-oriented, but still with proper supervision, I totally see it being fit for children. The fact that our 18-month old was jumping out of his seat halfway through the movie is more the result of him being hyper than the movie not being fit for children. Now I admit this is no "Finding Nemo" (which keeps him entertained all through it, time and again). So, bottom line, while not as good as or innovative as "Ice Age" and without a very powerful storyline and groundbreaking animation as "Nemo" got us used to, "Robots" is still a funny movie worth checking out.

Animation is a hot genre these days, thanks to the phenomenal success of Pixar's multi-million dollar blockbusters "Toy Story," "Monsters, Inc," and "Finding Nemo," and DreamWorks' "Shrek." These studio giants have opened the door for other, smaller companies like Blue Sky Studios to release innovative and high-quality movies, such as their first film, "Ice Age" in 2002, and their new, more ambitious endeavor, "Robots."

Visually, "Robots" is stunning, both in the look of the world and the creativity of its inner workings. The colors are vivid and the setup is ripe with potential for visual gags. The first half hour of the film is especially entertaining, beginning with Rodney's "delivery" as a baby. In the robot world, babies are delivered in boxes and are put together like children's toys at Christmas.

The characters, led by an all-star cast of distinctive voices, are fun too, especially Broadbent's deliciously evil Madame Gasket and Williams's high-energy Fender, though I thought Williams could have been given more screen time and more freedom to improvise.

The film's only weak spot, if you can call it that, is in its overzealousness to please. At times, there are so many visual elements, action sequences and gags going on at once, it feels as though we have no time to breathe. But, I applaud the creators for their passion for the project. I'd much rather see a studio go too far with its enthusiasm than not far enough. The film's storyline, too, could have been a bit more complex, but kids will love it, and parents will appreciate the complexity of the visual world in exchange for what it might be lacking in story. Overall, this film is a joy to watch, primarily because its cup runneth over with creativity and delight. It's obvious the creators put a lot of time and soul into it, and it paid off-- in spades.

It's exciting, too, to see this level of animation coming more frequently to the big screen. Pixar sparked a new interest in animation with its release of "Toy Story" in 1995, and has bred an entire generation of animation lovers over the past decade with its subsequent blockbusters. This trend, in turn, has given companies like Blue Sky Studios, Fox, DreamWorks, and others an audience hungry for more of what they have to offer - and they are only too happy to deliver.

The thing I like best about robots is its originality. You keep seeing new computer animated movies coming out and they're either copied ideas from previous ones, or they're just plain not funny. Or both. Shark Tale, to name one. The Incredibles had enough action and stuff in it to make up for the lack of belly-shaking humor, but it still could've been better.

Robots has some hilarious sequences in it. Namely, Rodney and Fenders armpit moment, in which everyone in the house joins in *most memorable line* - "Aunt Fanny, we were using our ARMS!!!" Another sequence that made me split was Fender's dance moment. The idea of Robin William's robot wearing a small skirt and dancing is funny enough; combine it with Britney Spears' hit Baby One More Time and you've got serious funniness.

All in all, robots rates right up there with Shrek and Finding Nemo. Every family should own it.

stop saying movies are bad when all you've seen is the poster and
the trailer

Don't listen to the lame people saying they thought it was too noisy, or stupid. Personally, I hate how on Amazon, adults, complain how much they despise kid movies. Folks, they're for kids. You're opinion doesn't matter and shouldn't be taken into consideration. This movie is amazing. I am 16, and still considered a kid in most standards, and I thought it was simply mind-boggling. It was funny, heartfelt, and exhilerating. This is the story of Rodney, an inventor, who leaves his beloved parents to go to Robot City to pursue his dreams. There he befriends a delightful cast of miscreants and discovered he must save the greatest robot of all, Big Weld, to save his father and their world. Ewan McGregor and Robin Williams were wonderful as were all the other voice actors. This movie has you laughing every other second. This is the most imaginative movie I've seen in a long while. If you want to inspire your kids to hold onto their dreams and be creative, then this is the movie for you. Believe me, you won't regret spending $7 to spend 90 minutes with Rodney, Fender, and the crew. It's worth every penny.

because at the "chop shop" the workers are singing "there's a place down below where robots go!!" while hammering away at dead robots!! and the bad guys wants everyone to be clean without scratches,rust or anything like that!! and his mom wants robots to die so she can sell their parts and make money off of them.that's all that really dark the movie is good except for the dark storyline.

I liked the movie Robots becuse I thought it tought a lesson.The lesson is that you can be what ever you want to be if you stick your mind on it and never give up. If someone is in the way of your dream push them away and try to do as you wish. If someone that you know didn't know how to get their dream to come true help them and see if it comes true after you helped them.

In my opinion and from what i read to, this is one of the greatest achivments in Computer-Animated Comedys.
A young robot named Rodny Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor), dreams of meeting Bigweld (Mel Brooks), a very populor inventor in the robot world, and representnig his own invention to him.
But when rodny gets kicked out of Bigwelds place, because he is outdated, Rodny finds himself with street robots that are outdated to, and whose parts aren't sold anymore. these robots are my favorite charichters in the movie, because they are so colerful, when they have upon them Fender (Robin Williams), a robot that is literally falling apart, and helps Rodny on his way to find Bigweld when he mysteriously disapperes. and of course a moviel like this (or any movie, anyway) wouldn't be right without it's villians, Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), a sleek uptadetd Robot that is determined to make sure Bigweld stays well out of his way so that he can take over his factory, and Maddam Gasket (Jim Broadbent)Ratchets evil mother who will do anything to get herself and her son in to power.
i saw this movie at the theater and i pre orded this item, the second i heard it was available, and if your convinced by the good reviews i advise you to buy this movie, i hope you enjoy the movie as much as i did, it sure gave me some laughs.

PS. the soundtrack for this movie is great to, its available on itunes if you have an ipod.

I saw this in theatres a year ago and I thought it was the
funniest animated film ever! Granted, it isn't a PIXAR film,
but it's still a great movie!

Except there was one problem about it. It had a little too much
sexual humor. What were 20th CENTURY FOX thinking when they read
the script?!? And also how they put some pretty dirty songs in
some scenes. Sheesh, I'm 13! In just a few months, 14! Movie
people think that just a little bit of dirty stuff would just
fly over kid's heads! I think they tried to aim it more to an
ADULT audience.

But still, it's a great movie to watch! Very clever!

I was expecting a Pixar quality movie, you know, where adults are entertained as well? They tried - and failed. There can be only so many lame big-butt, fat rear, huge trunk jokes. The first was cute. The second lame. The 20th pathetic. The animation, while good, was not Pixar quality. It seemed flat. Sorry I purchased the DVD. IF you're purchasing it for a brain-dead adult, or a kid under the age of 8, you're all set.

Too bad that was not the intended target. Robin williams is not even close to being funny. He's annoying. "Shut up already" was all I could think whenever he opened his mouth. We're all tired of the SAME voices he's used in every movie and stand up routine for decades. Sure they were entertaining, in an idiot-savant way, in the 90's. No longer.

Every Bot's voice was poorly cast, with the lone exception of Mel Brooks.