A movie for all ladies and gentlebots, \Robots,"" a unique and truly dazzling masterpiece of computer animation, is colorful, witty, and one of those movies that just feels like one of life's simple pleasures. ""Robots,"" from the creators of 2002's ""Ice Age"" may not have a plot and premise quite as timeless as recent animation classics ""Shrek"" and ""Toy Story,"" but it is a treasure nonetheless.
Ewan McGregor loans his voice to the movie's hero, Rodney Copperbottom, a robot who has aspirations of becoming an inventor. Copperbottom invents a sort of do-it-all device called his 'Wonder-Bot,' and after creating a financial dilemma for his father (Stanley Tucci) at work, goes off to find success and riches in the human equivalent of Los Angeles or New York: Robot City.
When he gets there, Copperbottom finds out that a seemingly evil robot Ratchet (Greg Kinnear) has taken over the corporation he was hoping to invent for. Ratchet's evil plot involves no longer manufacturing spare parts for robots in need of repair but to force them to purchase high-priced robotic ""upgrades"" instead.
""Robots"" is filled to the brim with valuable messages about making dreams come true, revolving mainly around the slogan: ""You can shine no matter what you're made of."" The story is one with a hero that is easy to follow and even easier to root for. McGregor's character is complimented by a shimmering cast of supporting performers, including the comical appearances of Jennifer Coolidge, Drew Carey, and Robin Williams.
Williams' character, Fender, is particularly amusing as the robot is so rickety that parts are constantly falling off: his arm, his head, and at one moment of desperation, he swaps his lower body for that of a female robot. While Williams' character was not quite as prominent as, say, the magic genie in Walt Disney's ""Aladdin,"" what his presence adds to ""Robots"" is every bit as comically satisfying.
In addition to creating a magical story about hopes and dreams, ""Robots"" is a sheer work of art. It is so visually stimulating that to look away from the screen might be a feat too arduous to pursue. Spectacular detail looms in all parts of the frame.
Every little creative touch, like robotic ducks and elaborate forms of robot public transportation, creates a vivid world for its characters to live ina place where a screwdriver isn't a drink made of vodka and orange juice, but rather an actual screwdriver that is liquefied, shaken, and served in a martini glass. Billboards in the background ask ""Got oil?"" and at one point, the evil Ratchet is asked to ""grow some bolts.""
Also, the music in ""Robots"" is a treasure in itself. Not only does it span from hip-hop all the way to sounds of a full symphony orchestra, but because it compliments and matches the movement of the movie, it remains almost impossible to ignore.
This is a fabulous animated film. It goes out with a bang and wraps up nicely with everything from a family-fun battle scene to an all out dance marathon. Savory to the last drop, ""Robots"" is a well-developed load of memorable characters, fantastic animation, and a splendid story about good vs. evil: robot style.
