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 didnât understand as a kid.
Mrs. Copperbottom [after Mr. Copperbottom missed the delivery of the baby]: âBut thatâs okay, MAKING the baby is the fun part.â
(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)
Mrs. Copperbottom: âHoney? Whatâs that extra piece?â
Mr. Copperbottom: Oh. Oh, no, they always put in an extraâŚ[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. Thereâs 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 doesnât get a lot of time to shine, but through Tucciâs 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. Itâs 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. Thereâs a certain sense of naivety to Rodneyâs attitudes in the big city but whatâs 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 Cityâs public transportation is incredibly imaginative. Itâs the thing I love about animation at its strongest: pure imagination.
8) Robin Williams as Fender
As Aladdin so iconically proved, Williamsâ 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 Kinnearâs cool vocals. You love to hate him as his charisma, style, and fun are reminiscent of Hades from Disneyâs Hercules. Like the rest of the movie heâs just a lot of fun.
10) Thereâs this wonderful sense of old school slapstick and fun which permeates every moment of the film. It might not often support the plot but itâs just so freaking fun you donât care. Almost like an old Chuck Jones cartoon, itâs just one great gag after another.
11) There is this incredible sense of place to Madame Gasketâs 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 itâs Broadbent doing the voice regularly because he just embraces Gasketâs 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) Iâm 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. Theyâre lost, rusty, weird, but they can be that way together. I dig it.
Rodney [after venting to Fender]: âIf you burden your friends soon you wonât have any left.â
Fender: âWhat are you, a fortune cookie!? Thatâs what friends are for!â
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, Iâm not sure why.
Madame Gasket [to Ratchet]: âThink! Use those brains I stole for you!â
19) The entire gag where Rodney is posing as a count and Bender as his manservant is an excellent example of the filmâs 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 Lyonneâs nameâŚ
And I thought to myself, âWait, sheâs in this movie?â Well it turns out, she is.
21) Halle Berry as Cappy.
Cappy isnât really a developed character, I donât 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 Berryâs performance, as I do think sheâs good in the part. But what can we really say about Cappy? What can we say about her personality? That sheâsâŚgood? Thatâs about it. Sheâs 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 donât 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 Bigweldâs 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]: âIâm really sorry I let you down.â
Mr. Copperbottom: âNo no no no no. You could NEVER let me down, son.â
25) Rodneyâs 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.
27) âŚwhat just happened?
29) Iâm a sucker for bringing a twist to a trope, so the way this scene handles âAre you thinking what Iâm thinking?â is great.
Bigweld [when their friends are in trouble]: âAre you thinking what Iâm thinking?â
âŚ
[Rodney grabs Bigweld and cuts loose a support their on, acting as a giant pendulum to take out the bad guys.]
Bigweld: âTHIS ISNâT WHAT I WAS THINKING AT ALL!â
30) This ending is a little cheesy but I dig it. Itâs really fun, with a nice energy and good heart to it.
Crank [after Rodneyâs dad starts playing music]: âWell, there goes our happing ending.â
Fender: âNo! Itâs a fusion of Jazz and Funk. Itâs called JUNK!â
Robots is an underrated animated gym filled with a nice heart and an insane sense of humor. Itâs voice acting and visual design are standout elements and al in all the film is just incredibly fun. Go watch it if you havenât.
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