July 16th will mark the latest edition in the WSSF (Will Smith Sci-Fi) library that has been filled with blockbuster hits over the last decade. The newest one to grace the screen is Alex Proyas? ?I, Robot?. The action-sci-fi starring Smith, along with Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, and Chi McBride (among others) will have little competition when it opens today in theaters across the country. The film is based on Isaac Asimov?s 9 story anthology of ?I, Robot? giving many a reason to speculate that there will indeed be sequels and/or prequels to the current film.
According to the novel itself, the robots portrayed in the film follow certain rules that are universally known by the human society. The common themes in all of Asimov’s robot stories are the “Three Laws of Robots”: 1) A robot may not injure a human or, through inaction, allow a human to come to harm; 2) a robot must obey orders given to it by a human, except where it would conflict with the first law; and 3) a robot must protect itself, as long as that protection doesn’t violate either the first or second law.
The film takes place in the future (2035) where robots are mere servants/assistants that simply work for their human owners. However, when a robot is accused of murdering a high-profiled doctor, then cause for alarm soon ensues. The hypothetical is that if robots could have thoughts and feelings and act on emotional stimulation, then what?s to stop them from taking over the Earth? Sound feasible? Not sure, but you will have to go and see the film to make your own decision. If Smith?s previous sci-fi ventures (?Independence Day?, ?Men In Black?) have taught us anything, WSSF?s will generate over 100 million domestically when it is all said and done.
Side note: The film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
