Epic Movie (Re)Watch #190 - Robots (2005)
Have I seen it before: Yes
Did I see it in theaters: Yes.
Was it a movie I saw since August 22nd, 2009: No.
1) From the very first scene of the film Robots is able to establish its wonderfully creative world through an incredible sense of visuals and place. You understand from the very first frame that we are in a different world.
2) There are so many jokes in this film I didn’t understand as a kid.
Mrs. Copperbottom [after Mr. Copperbottom missed the delivery of the baby]: “But that’s okay, MAKING the baby is the fun part.”
(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)
Mrs. Copperbottom: “Honey? What’s that extra piece?”
Mr. Copperbottom: Oh. Oh, no, they always put in an extra…[Takes a good look at the piece. Chuckles.] We did want a boy, right?
4) Growing up with young Rodney not only clearly illustrates his hope/optimism/creativity but it also helps get the audience fully invested in his character and driving motivations. When Rodney really starts inventing/getting into inventing - when he finds his passion - you just root for him more. There’s a little bit of Rodney in each of us I think.
5) Stanley Tucci is a treat as Mr. Copperbottom. He is able to fully communicate his love for son Rodney in just a few lines, but you can also tell when something is concerning him. He doesn’t get a lot of time to shine, but through Tucci’s vocals he is one of the most memorable character in the films.
6) Ewan McGregor as Rodney Copperbottom.
McGregor is able to translate what we have learned about Rodney up tot his point - his optimism, passion, hope and drive - and amplify it considerably. It’s this character who we journey with throughout the film. His stakes are our stakes and McGregor is able to get the audience on his side. There’s a certain sense of naivety to Rodney’s attitudes in the big city but what’s important is that these never come across as annoying but instead are a nice source of conflict. All in all McGregor is I think an underrated part of an underrated film and I truly enjoy his role here.
7) The scene where Rodney uses Robot City’s public transportation is incredibly imaginative. It’s the thing I love about animation at its strongest: pure imagination.
8) Robin Williams as Fender
As Aladdin so iconically proved, Williams’ was made for animation. This film is no different, as his continuous energy and humor MAKE Fender as memorable as he is. A wonderful scene stealer with some great moments of friendship with Rodney, Fender is a lot of fun.
9) Greg Kinear as Ratchet.
Ratchet is a slick and fun villain made all the better by Kinnear’s cool vocals. You love to hate him as his charisma, style, and fun are reminiscent of Hades from Disney’s Hercules. Like the rest of the movie he’s just a lot of fun.
10) There’s this wonderful sense of old school slapstick and fun which permeates every moment of the film. It might not often support the plot but it’s just so freaking fun you don’t care. Almost like an old Chuck Jones cartoon, it’s just one great gag after another.
11) There is this incredible sense of place to Madame Gasket’s chop shop. Wickedly evil, as soon as we enter through visuals and even music the filmmakers establish that this is not a place you want to be in.
12) Jim Broadbent as Madame Gasket.
By completely letting go of any sense of ego Broadbent is able to be wonderfully villainous in this film. A cartoon villain in the best sense, more so than even Ratchet. You have to remind yourself that it’s Broadbent doing the voice regularly because he just embraces Gasket’s villainy so totally.
13) Amanda Bynes as Piper.
Like Williams and Broadbent, Bynes has an energy to her tailor made for animation. It infects her character and is a perfect fit for the part, making Piper a wonderful treat in the film.
14) So. Man. Butt. Jokes. So. Freaking. Fast.
15) I’m suck a sucker for found family dynamics, which is why I am so invested in Rodney and the the Outmodes together. There is this nice family dynamic established among the Outmodes very soon after meeting them, but they chose to be with each other. They’re lost, rusty, weird, but they can be that way together. I dig it.
Rodney [after venting to Fender]: “If you burden your friends soon you won’t have any left.”
Fender: “What are you, a fortune cookie!? That’s what friends are for!”
17) The scene where Rodney is fixing up all the bots in town is not only wonderfully positive but also filled with that strong sense of humor I mentioned in note #10.
18) This line always stuck with me as a kid, I’m not sure why.
Madame Gasket [to Ratchet]: “Think! Use those brains I stole for you!”
19) The entire gag where Rodney is posing as a count and Bender as his manservant is an excellent example of the film’s energy and humor. There is just this wild sense of fun which can be seen in the scene which defines the whole film.
20) So when the opening credits started I saw Natasha Lyonne’s name…
And I thought to myself, “Wait, she’s in this movie?” Well it turns out, she is.
21) Halle Berry as Cappy.
Cappy isn’t really a developed character, I don’t think. She exists primarily as a moral compass juxtaposition against Ratchet who he lusts after, as a plot device to get Rodney out of trouble, and a shoehorned in love interest which is barely developed. This is not a criticism of Halle Berry’s performance, as I do think she’s good in the part. But what can we really say about Cappy? What can we say about her personality? That she’s…good? That’s about it. She’s a good guy. I could choke this poorly developed female character to sexism in the industry but the film also gave us Piper and Aunt Fanny and Mrs. Copperbottom who are all memorable characters in their own right. I just don’t really see the point for Cappy unfortunately.
22) The moment with the dominoes is brief but another fine example of visual excellence.
23) Mel Brooks as Bigweld.
Brooks is a legend of the film industry both in front and behind the camera. As an actor he brings his wonderful sense of enthusiasm to the part, but also plays Bigweld’s jadedness remarkably well. You can tell how hurt he is in just a few words, but when he decides to pick himself up by the bootstraps and continue on Brooks is even more fun in the part.
24) I love this. You really understand just how much Mr. Copperbottom loves Rodney in just a few words.
Rodney [talking to his dad on the phone]: “I’m really sorry I let you down.”
Mr. Copperbottom: “No no no no no. You could NEVER let me down, son.”
25) Rodney’s ride on Bigweld continues the excellence in imagination and visuals the film has shown through a gripping set piece. With a wonderful sense of creativity and madcap fun throughout, the scene even lands a few surprises your way which make it all the more enjoyable.
26) The upgraded team is actually something which I think is really freaking cool. I just dig the visuals of it.
29) I’m a sucker for bringing a twist to a trope, so the way this scene handles “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” is great.
Bigweld [when their friends are in trouble]: “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
…
[Rodney grabs Bigweld and cuts loose a support their on, acting as a giant pendulum to take out the bad guys.]
Bigweld: “THIS ISN’T WHAT I WAS THINKING AT ALL!”
30) This ending is a little cheesy but I dig it. It’s really fun, with a nice energy and good heart to it.
Crank [after Rodney’s dad starts playing music]: “Well, there goes our happing ending.”
Fender: “No! It’s a fusion of Jazz and Funk. It’s called JUNK!”
Robots is an underrated animated gym filled with a nice heart and an insane sense of humor. It’s voice acting and visual design are standout elements and al in all the film is just incredibly fun. Go watch it if you haven’t.
tangentwithtanner
janainaart
titsay
snowghoul
stormborns
kaledo-art
gummygunk
pixelskylines
discoholicmusic
