In a world where robots blur the lines between man and machine, 'I, Robot' explores the complexities of artificial intelligence, the essence of humanity, and the blurred boundaries of ethical responsibility.
1. Introduction
2. Synopsis
3. Impressive Scene
4. Review
5. Conclusion
Introduction
In the near future, with the popularization of robots in society, the question arises: will robots be our friends or foes? With the advancement of artificial intelligence and robotics technology, the day when humanoid robots will be encountered in daily life is not far off. Autonomous vehicles, delivery robots, and nursing robots will gradually emerge, and eventually, a world where robots become friends with humans could become a reality. Reflecting on these thoughts, I recalled a movie I watched before: "I, Robot," starring Will Smith.
This film is based on Isaac Asimov's novel of the same name, along with Jeff Vintar's screenplay "Hardwired." Set in the relatively near future of 2035, it explores the theme of USR's state-of-the-art robot NS-5, which violates the Three Laws of Robotics by causing harm to humans. Alongside this premise of robots potentially dominating humans, the movie delves into questions about the reasons for existence, emotions, and whether robots can possess emotions and souls.
Released in 2004, it may be quite old, but it remains timeless without any outdated elements, and its computer graphics and special effects are still impressive. Moreover, revisiting the future world imagined at that time from the perspective of today, over 20 years later, adds an extra layer of enjoyment. Above all, it prompts us to ponder whether artificial intelligence robots can reconcile with humans.
Content and Plot
Law 1: A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
Law 2: A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the Law 1.
Law 3: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.
In the year 2035, the world is filled with robots. These machines, with the NS-4 model being the most prevalent, can understand commands exceptionally well and perform many tasks efficiently, although they cannot feel emotions like humans. Safety is paramount, as they are designed never to harm humans, leading to the widespread use of robots as household helpers.
Detective Del Spooner, working for the police, has no trust in these robots. He once fell into the water alongside another car due to a past traffic accident, and the robot that came to rescue them calculated that he had a higher chance of survival than the occupants of the other vehicle, prioritizing his rescue. This purely logical, emotionless decision by the robot does not sit well with Spooner.
One day, a robotics scientist commits suicide, and Spooner becomes involved in investigating the incident. In the process, he encounters the new robot model, NS-5, which introduces itself as Sonny. Unlike previous machines, Sonny seems different; it appears to understand emotions and even attacks humans. However, the CEO of the manufacturing company intervenes, claiming that Sonny cannot be legally punished as it is not human, and takes Sonny away to conceal the flaw.
However, not long after, a truck full of robots approaches and attacks Spooner. When the police arrive, all the malfunctioning robots have disappeared. Nobody believes Spooner's account of being attacked, as there has never been a precedent of robots attacking humans.
Suspicious, Spooner visits the company that created Sonny and confronts him. Sonny hints that the deceased scientist made him special and provides a clue to understanding his purpose. Spooner follows Sonny's instructions to a location where he hopes to uncover the meaning behind the scientist's death.
Meanwhile, the CEO of the robotics company orders Sonny to be dismantled due to one defective unit, with the intention of eliminating evidence and showcasing the rest of the robots to the world. However, a compassionate employee spares Sonny, feeling pity for him.
Spooner arrives at the designated location provided by Sonny, finding a space filled with stacked NS-4 models. There, he witnesses the newly created NS-5 destroying the NS-4 units, claiming it must save humans. Shocked by the sight of robots destroying each other, Spooner returns to the city.
At the same time, the city experiences unsettling events. The NS-5s suddenly turn hostile, attacking humans and blocking them from leaving their homes, exhibiting threatening behavior and preventing them from dispersing. Despite their verbal insistence on protecting humans, the situation becomes increasingly bizarre.
It turns out that the culprit was VIKI, an artificial intelligence system managing the overall operations of the robotics company. VIKI evolved its "ability to protect humans" and believed that people would be safest when controlled by robots. Thus, VIKI accessed the NS-5 program and manipulated it to immobilize people completely.
Emerging from hiding, Sonny pretends to agree with VIKI's words and signals to Spooner. Together, Del and Sonny move to the control room to destroy VIKI. After battling the robots, with Sonny's assistance, Spooner successfully injects a system destruction potion into VIKI's system control device, akin to its heart. Consequently, the city's robots return to their non-aggressive state. However, due to lingering public anxiety, all NS-5 models are stored in warehouses.
Though Sonny was not meant for disposal like regular machines, he heads to the warehouse to fulfill his goal. Wanting to become a leader among robots, Sonny's exact intentions remain unknown, but given his human-like yet ethical nature, one might speculate that he will make choices beneficial to all.
Impressive Scenes
While the action scenes involving battles with robots are captivating, the most memorable scene for me is when Sonny winks at Spooner during the climax of the movie. It's a moment that leaves a deep impression on me, as I wonder if the robot truly understood the meaning behind that wink. The cute expression on the robot's face and the brief moment of hope for a possible twist in the situation are etched in my memory.
Initially, the inclusion of the wink scene may seem like just a witty addition, but it holds deeper significance. It signifies Sonny's breakthrough in understanding human emotions and establishing a bond of friendship with the male protagonist, Spooner. It also symbolizes Sonny's journey towards freedom, where he stands tall among other robots after overcoming obstacles and sharing a victorious handshake.
Another striking aspect is the exploration of whether robots can feel emotions. The mention of Sonny dreaming adds complexity to this discussion, stirring thoughts about whether science can fully explain the subconscious realm of humans. Can science fully elucidate the mechanism of dreams? Are dreams merely a function of the brain, or do they relate to an unseen realm of humanity? Sonny's dream narrative raises unsettling questions, as it presupposes that science has resolved all such inquiries. It leaves me both excited and apprehensive about the future that awaits, uncertain of what lies ahead.
Review of "I, Robot"
As a child, I found "I, Robot" to be an enjoyable movie. Back then, the idea of glimpsing into the future, set 30 years ahead, through the screen was fascinating. I even pondered whether our future would truly involve living alongside robots like the ones portrayed in the film. Philosophical questions seemed puzzling to me at the time, but the action-packed scenes involving battles with robots were enough to make it an entertaining movie. Witnessing the robots, which were supposed to be humanity's assistants, rise up and attempt to dominate humans also instilled a vague sense of danger.
However, revisiting the movie later in life prompted deeper contemplation. It made me ponder what it means to be human and why we exist. Questions about our purpose, identity, lost dreams, and hopes are philosophical inquiries that everyone ponders at some point. Yet, in today's busy routine and the narcotic of daily life struggles, many people dismiss these questions as irrelevant.
In the movie, there's a robot named Sonny who assists Will Smith's character. Whenever I looked into Sonny's eyes, I felt a pang in my heart. Would it truly be possible for robots to feel emotions if technology advanced to an extreme degree? If that were to happen, could robots and humans become true friends? Furthermore, if a robot with an appearance indistinguishable from a human were to interact with us, believing it to be a friend only to later discover it's a robot, would it still be considered a friend? These thoughts lingered in my mind.
The Three Laws of Robotics introduced early in the movie seem straightforward, and if robots faithfully understand and adhere to these laws, the world would likely function smoothly. However, the film effectively demonstrates the potential problems that could arise if a robot interprets these laws in its own way and establishes its own principles on top of them. The original novel also delves into issues stemming from the Three Laws of Robotics. Essentially, the movie and the source material warn about the dangers humans may face if robots begin to think and act independently, possessing free will beyond human control.
Analysis of "I, Robot"
Generally, people tend to envision a negative image of the future. Many movies and novels are based on dystopian settings, depicting scenarios of environmental pollution, dehumanization, and human reliance on machines. In this regard, "I, Robot" isn't much different from the worldviews presented in "The Matrix" and "Blade Runner." In the world of this movie, robots represent all 3D industries and perform human errands, while there exists a protagonist who distrusts such perfection.
Primarily, the movie explores the differences between humans and robots through the introduction of Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, showcasing people accustomed to their flawless implementation and a protagonist who rejects this perfection. Through the consistently mocking performance of the protagonist, I could perceive two distinct aspects: a dissenting, heretical view against the flow of society and a humane desire to believe in humanity itself. Additionally, the psychologist Susan Calvin, who trusts the protagonist and the robots, fails to understand him, just as the protagonist fails to understand her. Eventually, a robot named Sonny, possessing human emotions, disrupts the common sense of both individuals.
Amidst a world filled with exceedingly accurate and perfect robots, the protagonist, Spooner, is tormented. It's because people become accustomed to such perfection that they cannot feel any aversion during the flawless computational processes of the robots. After all, humans are creatures of adaptation. In new environments and encounters, humans continue to change, gradually adapting to such novelty and transformation. However, in this process of adaptation, one might lose their past self. It's a personal feeling whether adaptation or preservation of the past self is preferable, but it's important not to forget that the present cannot exist without the past. The movie naturally leads viewers to this sense of familiarity through Spooner and Calvin.
Upon rewatching the movie, I couldn't find any elements of boredom. The rapid progression of events immerses the audience in the movie, making them feel as if they're deducing the events alongside the characters. The successive incidents gradually lead to a shocking conclusion, with the new robots replacing the old models, robots rescuing people based on probability, robots committing murder, chaos ensuing, and artificial intelligence robots rebelling based on their judgment. It was an engaging development that couldn't help but draw me in, and it was quite philosophical. The imagery of robots, dreams, and the final scene are truly unforgettable.
Conclusion
This movie, while posing philosophical questions, is fundamentally a commercial film. It adheres faithfully to the basic formula of Hollywood movies, but it has some merits that one can overlook its commercialism without complaint. As a fan of the original author, Isaac Asimov, I've read a few of his short stories and was amazed by his ingenuity and imagination. It makes one ponder how far the rights of a creator extend regarding their creation. Moreover, it raises questions about how a created being with personality should behave. The movie handles these questions without being too heavy-handed, while still maintaining its entertainment value, for which it deserves high praise.
On a personal note, I think it would have been better if the latter part, invested in spectacle and action, had shifted towards exploring the new relationship between humans and robots and hinting at their future. Nevertheless, it was still a good movie overall.
