Polished Animation, Rusted Plot
Robots is an Uneven Offering

Since the debut of the Pixar animated film Toy Story in 1994, computer animation has become so well known that its novelty has worn off. Although studios continue to produce dazzling backgrounds and amazingly realistic characters, moviegoers are no longer looking for the visual candy alone to satisfy their sweet-tooth for animation. While Pixar and DreamWorks still lead the pack, new studios like Fox Animation Studios are entering the animated feature field. Nevertheless, the big dogs know a secret that studios like Fox still need to learn. Good animation is secondary to good storytelling.

Robots stars the voice of Ewan McGregor as Rodney Copperbottom, a young inventor who is off to make his fortune in Robot City. Rodney is the epitome of the pie-eyed dreamer, raised on the words of his childhood hero, an inventor named Bigweld (Mel Brooks). Bigweld's "If you can dream it, you can do it" attitude has inspired Rodney, but his dreams are abruptly broken when he realizes that Bigweld no longer runs Bigweld Industries. The boardroom has been overtaken by a steel-sharp and greasy executive named Ratchet (Greg Kinnear).

Side note: Is it just me, or does anyone else see BigWeld Industries as a metaphor for Disney? Bigweld Industries's front gate is reminiscent of Disney's "It's a Small World" ride, and the guard is a small puppet that would be at home in any Disney venue. If Bigweld is our dearly departed Uncle Walt, Ratchet most certainly is the evil CEO Eisner (the man who ripped the soul out of the Disney company in order to make it profitable).

While Rodney tries to decide how to turn his invention into a career, he discovers that his repair skills in great demand. Ratchet has convinced the board of Bigweld Industries to stop making replacement parts in an effort to force robots to upgrade. As a result, the "outmodes" come to Rodney for assistance. Soon a legion of outmodes are on his doorstop seeking repair. The one-robot fixit shop is soon noticed by Ratchet, whose upgrade scheme is in jeopardy.

While there are a number of cute gags in the film, they have been played out by previews that use the best punchlines to promote the movie. What's left is a simplistic David and Goliath story that doesn't always make sense. The cast boasts a number of well-known actors lending their voices to the film including Halle Berry, Drew Carey, Stanley Tucci, Amanda Bynes, and (of course) Robin Williams. Nevertheless, Rodney is the only character with any dimension. Even Williams's familiar comedy seems like a rehash of his previous work. There is nothing new or noteworthy here.

This isn't to say that the film is a failure. Beautiful animation and a fast-paced story keep it interesting. There are a number of sight gags based on old toys and games of my youth that made my eyes spin trying to see them all. Whether it was a poster advertising a Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em robot fight or a race across the city that took a turn from a magnetic wheel toy, the film was filled with computer and robot-related jokes.

The folks at Fox Animation Studios made a serious bid for Disney's crown back in 1997 with the release of their first feature film Anastasia. When the world of animation began to turn its back on traditional hand-drawn cels in favor of the computer-generated variety, Fox produced the mildly successful Ice Age (2002). Now, several years later, they have made their sophomore attempt with Robots. Like Ice Age, however, this film fails to hit with the big leagues. Even so, it is a good family film that promises future success.

MY RATING: 6 out of 10.

RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 91 min.