ROBOTS

REVIEWED BY SHANNON H.

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: sensuality, thematic elements

Rated:  

As kids, we would always set goals for ourselves on what we wanted to be when we grew up. Some of us wanted to be doctors, scientists, teachers, police officers, or firefighters. Our parents always encouraged us to keep dreaming about our goals and wishes for the future because they would always want the best for us. Dreams and aspirations run high in the film Robots.

The story takes place in a place called Rivet Town, a small metropolis inhabited by robots. There aren't too many wealthy individuals in Rivet Town but no one seems to care, especially Herb Copperbottom (voiced by Stanley Tucci) and his wife. Herb had been working as a dishwasher all his adult life despite his dreams of being a musician. Still, he wants the best for his son Rodney (Ewan MacGregor). When Rodney was growing up, he always got hand-me-down spare parts and toys from his cousin because his parents' budget was too small to buy him new things. In order to make a living for himself as an inventor, Rodney was always toying with ideas for an invention that would make life a little easier. Soon after high school graduation, Rodney decides to pursue his dream of being an inventor by visiting the company of Big Weld (Mel Brooks), a famous businessman (er, robot), known for his acceptance and encouragement of new ideas. Rodney is also a big fan of his, too, after seeing him on TV shows. 

Big Weld's company is located in the huge, robotic metropolis known as Robot City. After a screw-up at his dad's workplace, Rodney is determined to find a job in the big city to pay for the damages and hopes that Big Weld encourages employment. To his surprise, Rodney finds out that Big Weld's business has been bought out by a greedy, corporate CEO named Ratchet (Greg Kinnear). Ratchet felt that Big Weld's ideas of helping the common people were too "old-fashioned" and wouldn't draw in a lot of money. To bring in a better sales quota, Ratchet orders the company to stop making spare parts for robots and start producing expensive upgrade models (any robot who needs spare parts and can't afford to upgrade will be turned into scrap metal and melted down).

Rodney is determined to find Big Weld and have him turn his company back to what it was before. After his arrival in Robot City, he befriends a hyper but comical robot named Fender (Robin Williams), his sister Piper (Amanda Bynes),  and his friends Crane (Drew Carey) and Lug. The robots live with Aunt Fanny, a kindly old robot (with a HUGE derriere) who provides room and board for individuals who are down on their luck.  Soon, Rodney, Fender, and the rest of the gang band together to find Big Weld with the help of one of Ratchet's disgruntled employees, Cappy (Halle Berry) in hopes of saving their robot pals from being scrap metal. Still, Ratchet is hot on Rodney's heels due to the fact that he had personally helped robots who couldn't find spare parts.

Robots is a kid's film, but there is mild suggestive content. When Herb and his wife put Rodney together as a baby, there are some comments about robot conception (nothing inappropriate). There are a couple of one liners made about Aunt Fanny's gigantic behind. Ratchet has feelings for his employee, Cappy and, at a dinner party, asks her if she'd like to go back to his place (Cappy refuses his advances). When Fender accidentally loses his legs, he manages to find a spare "waist" which had a skirt and high-heels. Fender, on finding out he had the waist of a female robot, blurts out "This is so wrong!" There isn't any cussing or abuse of deity. Still, there's some gross humor and references to farting using one's armpit. Crane is seen using the bathroom (to relieve himself) where he's hunched over an oil pan, mentioning that it's been a long time since he's had an oil change. Rodney's invention, a small robot that can do almost anything, "piddles" in nervousness when Rodney introduces him to Big Weld. 

The Bible indicates that God will not give us something to do if He feels that we cannot accomplish it. God encourages dreams, hopes, and aspirations (providing that they are morally and Biblically sound). In the book of Matthew, we learn about Jesus' story called "The Parable of the Talents" (Matt. 25:14) where individuals are encouraged to grow and multiply both in talent and in finances. In Robots, Rodney's father encourages him to pursue his dreams of being an inventor for Big Weld's company. With setback after setback, Rodney refuses to give up his dreams and continues to pursue them while protecting the interests of the citizens of Robot City. This movie was quite refreshing and wholesome. Despite the fact that it's geared toward kids, it's sophisticated enough so that adults can enjoy it as well. It was wonderful to hear the voice talents of funny men Robin Williams and Mel Brooks. Williams' ability to change his voice to different accents and tones greatly enhances his character, Fender, a robot down on his luck, but always views the drinking glass as half full. It was also refreshing to hear Mel Brooks as a voice over for a cartoon.  There are other voice talents in this film made by big stars: vocalist/"American Idol" judge Paula Abdul as a watch, Jay Leno as a fire hydrant, and weatherman Al Roker as a mailbox, just to name a few. The film's only shortcoming is its running time, which is about 10 minutes over an hour. It's understandable that children have small attention spans, but this could have been stretched to fit 90 minutes. Still, it's great fun and Robin Williams makes it worth the admission price. 

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