This wonderful movie tells the age-old story of a young man (one day - very soon - this will be possible for girls as well, I trust) leaving his family in the small town and going to the big city (of course New York or its parallel-universe equivalent) to pursue his dreams. In his attempts he is also provided with the chance to free the oppressed "working" class which provides a bunch of colorful and lovable characters. The initially weak ones have a chance to show courage and characters apparently powerful reveal their weaknesses. This has been the theme of countless popular theater pieces and movies in the past and this formula will certainly never age.
The name of the animation studio: "Blue Sky" certainly also reflects the way the look at the world and I am delighted to see that they complete the studios competing in the GC animated field to the number of three after Pixar and Dreamworks. Robots certainly is comparable to the best Pixar and Dramworks have produced so far. The incredibly stunning visuals are a happier "daylight" and much less gloomy version of what Tim Burton films, "Dark City" and "Lemony Snicket's a series of..." are envisioning. These are parallel dimensions made of our dreams and memories. The forms and designs in Robots range from Victorian mid 19th century clockwork mechanics over 30s art deco, 50s sci-fi (the era our hero Rodney Copperbotom seems to come from) until the highly modern "new edge" design which seems to provide the design concept for the villains.
John Powell's original orchestral score is wonderful, impeccably performed and recorded, and sets the mood right from the start. The choice of songs "sprinkled" throughout the movie is very good.
The "working class" heroes provide a colorful (in fact each one - in a small group - has his or her own unique color) background and great opportunities for a comedy style that reminds us of the "Marx Brothers". Robin Williams' incredible voice talent almost outshines all others. Mel Brooks seasoned and powerful baritone comes a close second. Paul Giamatti is wonderfully annoying as Tim the mischievous gate guard. By the very nature of their roles Ewan Mc Gregor (Rodney) and Halle Berry (Cappy - the corporate secretary coming over to the good side falling an love for Rodney) can't show the full range of their voice talents - hence I see no point for criticism here.
The makers obviously had a lot of fun creating a world that totally defies logic - including all the robot characters that perform tasks and movements defying all laws of physics except the ones firmly established in "cartoonland". There are Rube Goldberg style inventions - providing the mechanics for roller coaster style rides - made of copper tubing, spring loaded see-saws etc. complete with the reference of the egg-laying chicken provided by Fender (Williams). Flintstone/Jetsons style analogies of every day life tasks are everywhere. This movie is a dream for design artists. There is a lightheartedness and good spirited nature to it without sacrificing some "edge" coming from the typical pop references, the very funny zany slapstick humor and the all too true social comments - all delivered with zest.
This is certainly a movie aimed at smaller children and their parents. No obvious attempt has been made to capture the (coveted) teenage audiences which may find the "family values" and overall "positive simplicity" to uncool. I can only applaud Blue Sky studios to make a movie about good old fashioned values that will never out date, going to great lengths updating them for today's demanding audiences.
The name of the animation studio: "Blue Sky" certainly also reflects the way the look at the world and I am delighted to see that they complete the studios competing in the GC animated field to the number of three after Pixar and Dreamworks. Robots certainly is comparable to the best Pixar and Dramworks have produced so far. The incredibly stunning visuals are a happier "daylight" and much less gloomy version of what Tim Burton films, "Dark City" and "Lemony Snicket's a series of..." are envisioning. These are parallel dimensions made of our dreams and memories. The forms and designs in Robots range from Victorian mid 19th century clockwork mechanics over 30s art deco, 50s sci-fi (the era our hero Rodney Copperbotom seems to come from) until the highly modern "new edge" design which seems to provide the design concept for the villains.
John Powell's original orchestral score is wonderful, impeccably performed and recorded, and sets the mood right from the start. The choice of songs "sprinkled" throughout the movie is very good.
The "working class" heroes provide a colorful (in fact each one - in a small group - has his or her own unique color) background and great opportunities for a comedy style that reminds us of the "Marx Brothers". Robin Williams' incredible voice talent almost outshines all others. Mel Brooks seasoned and powerful baritone comes a close second. Paul Giamatti is wonderfully annoying as Tim the mischievous gate guard. By the very nature of their roles Ewan Mc Gregor (Rodney) and Halle Berry (Cappy - the corporate secretary coming over to the good side falling an love for Rodney) can't show the full range of their voice talents - hence I see no point for criticism here.
The makers obviously had a lot of fun creating a world that totally defies logic - including all the robot characters that perform tasks and movements defying all laws of physics except the ones firmly established in "cartoonland". There are Rube Goldberg style inventions - providing the mechanics for roller coaster style rides - made of copper tubing, spring loaded see-saws etc. complete with the reference of the egg-laying chicken provided by Fender (Williams). Flintstone/Jetsons style analogies of every day life tasks are everywhere. This movie is a dream for design artists. There is a lightheartedness and good spirited nature to it without sacrificing some "edge" coming from the typical pop references, the very funny zany slapstick humor and the all too true social comments - all delivered with zest.
This is certainly a movie aimed at smaller children and their parents. No obvious attempt has been made to capture the (coveted) teenage audiences which may find the "family values" and overall "positive simplicity" to uncool. I can only applaud Blue Sky studios to make a movie about good old fashioned values that will never out date, going to great lengths updating them for today's demanding audiences.