Rating: 
Summary: Stinks!
Review: The story stars Robin Williams as a robot trying to learn to become human. We've come a long a way since 'Mork & Mindy'. The more things change....Anyway, the acting is terrible, and Williams, true to form stuffs more schmaltzy feel-good warm fuzzies down our throat than you can believe. Totally predictable, totally puerile. Even Sam Neil can't save this one.
Rating: 
Summary: One of Williams' best yet!
Review: I have just seen Bicentennial Man (on cable) for the second time. I loved it even more than my first time seeing it in the theater, because I knew the story in advance and could relax and look forward to it, without being overwhelmed by the wonderful special effects and little tidbits of wonderment that pervade the movie. Quite simply, Robin Williams portrays a robot who becomes human. But, it's so much deeper than that. I must say it is one of Robin's best works... and I've seen them all. It has his delightful comedy, but moreover, his perfect portrayal with pathos and beguiling charm. The movie begins with the robot (dubbed Andrew) being introduced to the family (with Sam Neill as the father). One of the little girls in the family makes a quick connection with the new robot (Williams), and they become fast friends... for life, as it turns out. As time goes by, Andrew (Williams) becomes more and more a member of the family. But, Andrew also becomes more human, and eventually goes to search for his identity, and to seek out others like him. The film moves rather quickly from one time period to another, since they have to cover Andrew's lifespan of two-hundred years (hence the title). Throughout his life, he is constantly evolving, whether mechanically, thru technological improvements, or just by learning human qualities. The thrust of it is that he eventually becomes human, but is not recognized as such until the end of his life. (There is a very moving speech he gives to some delegation who will decide if he is human or not.) It is a landmark film of human emotions and human joy, all experienced and displayed by a robot. It is not the comic fluff of some earlier Williams' films, nor the hardhitting drama of some of his others. Rather, it is the compelling joyousness and heartwarming comedy of a machine who wants to be human... played expertly by Williams, of course. I plan to watch it again, very soon. It is a great movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Great potential, but tragic flaws.
Review: Bicentennial Man is one of those movies that makes you wish you had directed it so you could correct all those flaws that butcher an otherwise great film: starring Robin Williams as Andrew - the robot who was first the household servant, then the wayward traveler - Bicentennial Man could have been the most powerful and inspirational movie of the year, but second-rate acting, a colossal plot-hole, and a horrific script quite effectively shot the film out of the sky. To start off with the positive side of things, I feel the movie had much to offer visually. It was filmed with a fair degree of care and talent, and such moments as Andrew's examination of the spider web and his construction of the toy horse for Little Miss had a distinct emotional impact. Also, the set and makeup design deserve serious congratulation, as they inevitably entailed numerous expenses and had the fortunate effect of producing an equally exorbitant result. Another aspect I admired was that the makers of Bicentennial Man were notthe type to clip short an important story at the gain of making their product "market length". Unfortunately, the happy story ends there. One of the main problems with it was that it starred Robin Williams. Now, don't get me wrong! I consider Robin Williams to be one of the better actors Hollywood has known, (Dead Poets Society and Mrs. Doubtfire are among my favorite films) but sadly, his performances have been reduced to a formula. There are only so many characters and personalities that an actor can portray before his portrayal becomes redundant, and after a quarter of a century of movies, Williams has reached that stage. Consequently, Bicentennial Man lost any spark of uniqueness it might have had, because its lead actor, the anchor of the viewer's emotional connection to the movie, looked bored. This in and of itself was enough to do in the film, although a good performance by Sam Neil somewhat made up for this tragic flaw. Another major problem was a titanic plot hole that I still can't understand how the creators missed. When Andrew first enters the Martin household, he outlines Asimov's notorious Three Laws of Robotics, and makes note of their hierarchy. The fact that these laws were never again mentioned in the movie was alone a significant problem, but the degree to which they were forgotten is unforgivable. To avoid spoiling the ending, I'll limit my explanation to this: when you're watching the final scene, remember the First Law of Robotics, as well as the fact that it supersedes the Second Law, and then you'll understand the enormity of the error. Finally, and most terminally, the script was possibly the worst ever presented in a large-budget film - yes, even worse than Titanic's. The lines were not only entirely contrived and unbelievable, but their quality made me wonder if they were written by kindergartners. Examples? Mrs. Martin, when confronting a boyfriend of her rebellious daughter, yells at the antagonist, "You big ball of slime!" Andrew accidentally breaks a highly regarded toy, to which that same daughter declares, "You're screwed." Throughout the movie, Andrew is fond of making comments that express his literal understanding of the world, an attribute classic to robots which may have been funny in movies released in the 50s but now is nauseatingly worn-out. At the film's most torturous moment, Andrew is faced with a beautiful robot. She asks him if he can experience emotions, and he responds, "No." She then flips her hand and says, "Well, sucks to be you!" I'm not kidding. It's in there. Collectively, these flaws immensely outweighed any strong points the movie might have had, making it fundamentally lousy, but lousy in the worst possible way, because unlike movies that are entirely bad, you can't stop thinking about Bicentennial Man: the few crying positive sides keep coming back to you until you are driven crazy with your futile wish to make the movie better. The concept was present, as was the heart, but the class dramatically missed the mark and so Bicentennial Man plunges into oblivion.
Rating:
Summary: Should Be A Zero
Review: I spent the beginning of this movie waiting outside the theater for the flea, and boy am I glad that I did. Afterward I was really glad to have missed any of this tedious, endless mess. Easily the worst movie I've seen this year, it made BATS seem witty by comparison. Trite, trifling and dull, this movie is simply syrupy sentimentality at it's worst. OH! To be human! Even Star Trek The Next Generation did this shtick better. Could these really be based on Asimov? tMoby fell asleep, I only wish I could've. Sheer torture, by the end you'll be praying for Robin Williams's death, or maybe for your own.
Rating: 
Summary: Good movie, but I expected more out of the DVD
Review: Personally I like my DVD's to have a bit more bonus features than this one had, but I thoroughly enjoyed the film. I saw it when it was first released in the theaters, however, and I could have sworn that the cut of the film that I saw there was longer. I don't know if I've been ripped off or if I am imagining things, but if you watch the supplemental featurette on this DVD it appears that it has a couple of brief scenes that are not in the actual film itself. If anyone else noticed this or has any info, feel free to drop me a line at glonth@aol.com.
Rating:
Summary: A discourse on the intelligence behind this film.
Review: Do you enjoy Robin WIlliams? Do you enjoy Sam Neil? DO you enjoy films about the future and robots? Do you enjoy movies that examine the question "what is human?" Do you yourself ask "what is human?" Would you like to watch a film that leaves you introspective, a tear in each eye, and possibly wanting to show the film to everyone you love? I went to see this movie because I liked Robin Williams in Patch Adams and in What Dreams May Come. He was also brilliant in Good Will Hunting. He has taken me from point A in life to Point B. He has caused a serious emotional reaction, one in which he becomes the hero of a film and I the audience cheer for him. This is a film about what defines one as a human person. I cheer the human spirit. I love to see it break it and say no to all who oppose it. Did you like Gattacia? Did you like that when he was told no you cant be in space and Ethan Hawke said no I will go to space? Did you enjoy Truman Show when Jim Carrey said no I shall have a private moment and you will not leave me in a box forever! You will enjoy Robin WIlliams saying you can't tell me that I am not human.
Rating: 
Summary: In search of Humanity
Review: I was surprised that this was billed as a comedy, instead of a drama. I would also think that most children watching this film will be bored and confused with the subject matter. Although it is a clean family movie, the topics covered (i.e. euthanasia, discrimination, immortality, etc.) are most definitely adult. I very much enjoyed the human story about a robot's search for meaning and humanity. This is a thought provoking and touching drama which contemplates very complex issues in a highly entertaining manner. It is not a real comedy nor is it for the very young. This is a good film and I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie... one of Williams' finest.
Review: Robin Williams offers up a through provoking, touching, funny, and sad film... all rolled into one. This movie is an emotional roller coaster with an outstanding supporting cast. I would highly reccommend this film to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: An unforgettable movie experience!
Review: Bicentennial Man, in my opinion, is one of the best comedy-dramas of all times: the story is beatiful and well-thought, and the acting skills of Stephen Root (Office Space), Oliver Platt (Simon Birch) and the great Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire) add even more charm to the film. In the movie, Williams plays a robot named Andrew Martin who's sole wish is to become human. When he is welcomed into the Martin family as an android, they soon discover that he has special skills and feelings he is not programmed to do, and he is no longer considered just a robot... but a family member. But as Andrew must learn to deal with the fact that he has eternity ahead of him and the people he comes to love are soon going to pass away, he becomes more and more motivated to become a complete man, and marry the woman he loves, Portschia. The film is thought-provoking, tear-jerking, and completely enjoyable... what else could you ask for from a movie? Bicentennial Man is a must-see!
Rating:
Summary: Funny and Touching. Totally Great!
Review: This movie was a very good movie. It was funny with lines such as "How do you make a hankie dance?" " Put a little boggie in it." Williams was wonderful while learning that being human was more than just looking like a human on the outside. This movie has some langue that is a little strong but it was still great. You should definetly buy this movie PEACE OUT!
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