Rating: 
Summary: Starts strong but dies at the end
Review: 'Bicentennial Man' is a Sci-Fi comedy that turns into a Sci-Fi romance and then shoots for deep philosophical drama on death and dying. It overreaches its capabilities and can't pull it all together. It seems that the more human Andrew became, the worse the film got.This is based on Isaac Asimov's short story about a robot named Andrew (Robin Williams) whose flawed programming makes him obsessed with becoming human. It shows his relationship with four generations of the Martin family and his various upgrades toward humanhood. The first part of the film is engaging and droll. Williams is at his best when he is doing offbeat comedy, and this segment had a warm kind of comedy that was enchanting. By the time the film progressed to the romance between Andrew and Portia, it had used up its charm. It became contrived and implausible. Williams is beyond his talents as a romantic lead and all the romantic scenes were forced and awkward. As the film moved towards the ending, Andrew wasn't the only thing getting moribund. The entire film began to decay. Director Chris Columbus did some excellent work in the area of makeup. The robot costumes and the aging makeup was wonderfully done. Unfortunately, much was lacking in the costumes and sets as the decades went by. As time passed, nothing seemed to change as regards dress and sets. We are led to believe that 200 years hence, everything will look pretty much the way it looks today. Think of the difference between dress in 1800 and today. Shouldn't we expect changes of similar magnitude over the next 200 years? Apparently not in Columbus' mind. The only indications that it wasn't the 20th century were a couple of futuristic blue screen city backdrops and that's about it. Very unimaginative. Sam Neill was marvelous as the Martin patriarch. He gave the father wisdom, character and a strong guiding hand. Embeth Davidtz was lovely but a little tentative at times as Portia. She was stronger as Little Miss, which required more warmth than dynamism. Williams was very good at the start, but as the water got deeper, he floundered. He needs to stay with wacky comedy roles and stop pretending he is a dramatic/romantic lead. Oliver Platt was great fun as the eccentic inventor who develops Andrew's upgrades. There was a lot to enjoy about this film. It was delightfully warm and schmaltzy even though it did outlive its allure by the end. If you are the sentimental type, you will probably enjoy it. If you are expecting side splitting comedy or good Sci-Fi, forget it. I rate it a 7/10.
Rating: 
Summary: Bicentennial Man
Review: Robin Williams at His Best!Very funny and thought provoking Movie.It will make you laugh,and cry.It will move you,and make you realize what really matters in life.I highly recommend this movie!
Rating:
Summary: A Refreshing Look at Humanity
Review: I enjoyed this movie very much. It takes place over the span of 200 years. As a robot evolves to "more than the sum of its parts", he discovers the magic that defines us individuals and spritual beings. He longs to feel as we do (or as some of us should) and goes on a journey that will permit him to do so. There are some similarities present, in this movie, that have been seen in other stories in regards to robots and adroids. Asimov's laws of robotics for instance. All in all it is very well done. I would recommend this for 15 years of age or older. Only because I doubt the script would hold the attention of too many people younger than that.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspiration dragged under by sentiment
Review: An excellent opening does not redeem this adaptation of Isaac Asimov's haunting short story of the same name. Robin Williams plays a robot who gradually trades in his steel body for a human one, and wants to accept all of the consequences of being human including mortality. Potentially wonderful story is undone by wooden acting and a dreadfully uninspired screenplay. Asimov deserved far better. Good makeup on Williams is worth studying, though.
Rating:
Summary: Breath taking
Review: I first read the short story by Asimov when I was 13. It was a tale which gave life to my belief that even though we may be downtrodden, subjected to others direction in our lives and our lack of it, there is hope. The movie does the story justice beyond what most would. It shows that we can, someday through hard work and perserverance, become that which we so strive to be. Human. It shows, also, that being human is less a matter of what we look like than how we feel, and who we are. A movie, and short story, that I would recommend to the youngest and oldest of us all.
Rating:
Summary: Good movie, but DVD has few amenities
Review: The movie is very good, and I enjoy it very much. Unfortunately, when they put this DVD together they didn't include any deleted scenes. The movie's theatrical trailer and a short featurette are included. If you watch the movie first, then watch the trailer you will be able to see which scenes got left on the cutting room floor. Obviously, the movie could have been much longer, and I understand the need to make it work within a "reasonable" time, but it is to Chris Columbus' detriment that we don't get to see what those scenes may have been...
Rating:
Summary: Bicentennial Man
Review: For years I have been a great fan of Issac Asmov. Without a doubt, Bicentennial Man was my favorite of his stories because, although most of Asmov's robot novels have a more intellectual ending, this one had more real depth and feeling than anything I have ever read from him. The movie expands on this in a profound way and extends Asmov's novelette into a full feature in a way I have seen few books rendered to film. Although I have seen some bad press on this movie, (notably Robert Ebert) DON'T believe it, my fiancee loved it so much she had to see her favorite parts again after it was over, and she is NOT a science fiction fan (of a fan of Asmov for that matter.) I have also heard that the humor was also rather dry, and I don't believe that this is true either. Although Robin Williams was not the zany character he usually is, many of his jokes were extremely funny. (Ex. A buddhist walks up to a hotdog vender and says, "make me one with everything.") I believe that the more subdued tone he played worked with the tone of the character. His usual antics would have looked inappropiate for a robot who was not supposed to have a personality at all. Over time, his character does learn to be more expressive, but never to the extreme extent of Williams in other movies (Ex. The Fisher King.), however, my fiancee said that William's concept of phyisical and emotional love was one of the most romantic things she had ever heard. Other comments aside, I believe this is one of the best films I have seen in months, and I would HIGHLY recommend it. The DVD is well done with an excellent transfer, good Dolby Digital effects, and it DOES have a trailer and movie featurette. (a previous review made on this BBS before the DVD was even released, says it did not.)
Rating:
Summary: Robin the Robot
Review: Years ago, Robin Williams burst onto the comedy scene as a strange alien named Mork. In the years that followed, Williams has distanced himself from science fiction and made a name for himself as a serious actor. Now, in the new film Bicentennial Man, the Oscar-winning performer has returned to science fiction to play a robot searching for humanity. Bicentennial Man is based on the award-winning short story of the same name by science fiction pioneer Issac Asimov. The story deals with one robot's search for freedom, rights, and recognition as a man over the course of his 200 year life. Sadly, everything that made the story great: the conflict, the thought-provoking issues, and the sense of wonder has been lost or watered-down in this film. Williams plays a newly purchased NDR-114 robot, quickly renamed "Andrew" by Little Miss (Hallie Kate Eisenberg) the youngest member of the family. As a robot, Andrew is expected to follow orders and do chores, but it soon becomes apparent that he is capable of much more. He begins exhibiting signs of creativity, which leads Sir (Sam Neill, The Horse Whisperer) to teach Andrew everything there is about being human. Although Williams does an excellent job conveying emotion despite the robotic facade he wears, his true talent is shown when he still appears robotic after obtaining the face of a man. Yet, the characters in Bicentennial Man are cardboard caricatures. Truth be told, Asimov writes them that way. His sole concern is Andrew, and as a result the other characters in the story lack appeal. But in the film, all of the characters suffer from one-dimensionality and it reduces the story to the worst type of science fiction. What ultimately fails, however, is the inability to recreate the world that Asimov so richly designed in his Robot series. While the movie does pay tribute to his work and his Three Laws of Robotics, they ultimately throw out those laws at the very end of the film. The movie becomes little more than a modern retelling of Pinocchio, centering on Williams' comedic abilities. The heart and soul of the story, the chilling conflict of what makes us human, is lost amid sight gags and a prolonged sappy romance with Portia (Embeth Davidtz, Fallen), the grand-daughter of Little Miss. Finally, haven't we all seen this before? For seven years, Brent Spiner played out this storyline for us as Lt. Cmdr. Data on television's "Star Trek: The Next Generation." And while there were certainly moments where humor was used to highlight Data's unique condition, his search for humanity was ultimately a very serious and believable one. I'll take those old episodes like "Measure of a Man" over Bicentennial Man any day.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Movie
Review: I keep a lot of odd hours. I popped Bicentennial Man in my VCR around 3 in the morning thinking it would put me to sleep....WRONG! This was an excellent movie, it kept me riveted to the screen. Robin Williams seems to have a magic about him in movies like this. Touchstone gives this movie a very Disneyesque feel. The story is great and you will love Andrew and the relationships that he forms with people. Sam Neill and Oliver Platt are very good supporting actors in this movie. Overall, there are quite a few moments that will make you laugh...some that might make you cry, but its an excellent movie, that both you and your kids or other loved ones can enjoy together! Highly Recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: It seemed like 200 years...
Review: Typical of Robin Williams' "New Age" drivel that he's been making lately. Where is the actor of "Dead Poet's Society," "Good Will Hunting," and "Good Morning, Vietnam"? This film is TERRIBLE! Not is it only overlong (it seemed like 200 years), but the character development is nearly nonexistent and the themes overstated and underdeveloped. A clunker. Some nice set design, though.
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