I have been desperate to get my youngest turned on to anything other than shrek as I was really growing to resent the big green fella. We have tried hundreds of DVD’s that we thought he would like and although he has enjoyed them all, he has always ended up back with Shrek – until we discovered Robots. Now, we have a whole new problem…

***What’s it about***
Rodney Copperbottom is a would-be inventor living the quiet life with his dishwasher dad and housewife mum but he dreams of making them proud by following in the footsteps of his hero, Bigweld in Robot City.
His ailing father, disheartened with his own job encouraged Rodney to follow his dreams and gives him the nudge he needs to take the first step to meeting Bigweld, and so Rodney sets off with one of his inventions to show him.
However, what Rodney finds in Robot City is not what he had expected. In Bigweld’s place is Ratchet who, directed by his horrible mother, is interested in money not inventions and banishes all old robots to the scrap heap by only producing new parts and not repairing old spares.
Will Rodney and his friends put a stop to evil Ratchet’s plan? With Robot City be saved? And just what happened to Bigweld anyway and will Rodney convince him to develop his invention through the Bigweld Corporation? You will just have to watch the film to see like the rest of us!

Carlos Saldanha, in a similar career has credits as director, producer and actor as well as having spent time working in visual effects for which he worked on Brad Pitt blockbuster, Fight Club.

Robots doesn’t do that. The story is the magic in the film. It certainly is funny with some fantastic slapstick humour (Fender doing Britney Spears will bring tears to your eyes it is so funny!) but there is so much more involved in this production. There is obviously a genuine affection for the characters, which involves the audience more. There is an on-going adventure that provides the excitement and energy expected and the script combines the humour we expect and demand with tenderness, fire and guts. It is very much a story of determination and faith and friendship and as a viewer, I was desperate to see Rodney and his freaky friends succeed.

Ewan McGregor as Rodney was suitable enough, although I find his performance to be bit like kissing a dead fish. He is out of his depth with such attention-grabbing stars and he kind of gets forgotten about in parts. Halle Berry as Cappy, Rodney’s love interest is similar. Her character is essential to the plot but her overall contribution is relatively limited apart from a few of the action scenes towards the end.

The cast worked well and on screen appeared to be a good ensemble group (although I suspect the never even met. Their relationships made the film fun and added a personal touch you wouldn’t accept from a film about nuts, bolts and mechanical failings.

The climax scene is fabulous and highlights the fact that the film is as much about good choreography as it is about a good story and good characters. Much of the film is like watching an extended dance sequence with bold colours blended in seamlessly with the darker, muted colours. It being a technology-based film, it is hardly surprising that the animation takes on a slightly edgier feel with more definite, almost architectural futuristic designs throughout.

***Highlights***
*Rodney’s first introduction to Fender and his first trip on the cross town express

* The fantastic conclusion scene for the pure genius of the massive production