I, Robot (2004)

Early in I, Robot the camera holds on a pair of vintage sneakers like they’re a key witness, and that tells you most of what you need to know. This is Isaac Asimov’s name slapped on a buddy cop movie with an ad budget. Will Smith’s Spooner is a robot-hating detective with a grandma who bakes sweet potato pie and zero chill. Bridget Moynahan gets stuck explaining the Three Laws in every scene like a substitute teacher. The best performance belongs to Alan Tudyk as Sonny, a robot with more feelings than every human around him, and every scene he’s in turns into a better movie. The tunnel fight against a swarm of robots is fun if you don’t look at the CGI too closely. It made $353.1 million worldwide on a reported $105 to 120 million budget. A 5.9 because Sonny deserved a smarter movie and the movie deserved fewer product shots. $45.39 says you thank your robot vacuum tonight, just to stay on its good side.

What works: Alan Tudyk’s Sonny, the highway tunnel fight, and Will Smith’s grumpy charm whenever the script lets him be funny.

What doesn’t: It borrows Asimov’s ideas and then mostly ignores them for chases, product placement and a CGI army that looks like plastic.

Who it’s for: Anyone who already side-eyes their smart speaker, and Will Smith fans who want his summer blockbuster era at full strength.