Bicentennial Man

Rating:
Summary: Not just a children's movie.
Review: Bicentennial Man" was advertised as a childrens' movie when it first came out in the theaters, but it is so much more than that. The movie tells about a robot, played by Robin Williams, and his quest (which takes over 200 years) to become human.

I knew the movie would be more than giggles and special effects. The movie was, in my opinion, quite well done. What looks like a comedy at first ends up being a layered look at the human race. Robin Williams is surprisingly sedate and his romance between him and the daughter of his first love is touchingly sweet.

"Bicentennial Man" is at both times uplifting and saddening. It is a great family movie, although some of the deeper meanings in the movie might be over the heads of younger children, they will still be entertained by the movie (and the token "booger" jokes thrown in for that purpose). And if you really want to enjoy the movie with your family, watch it and then read the novella and compare!

Rating:
Summary: Nothing like what I Thought...
Review: This movie is Nothing like I thought it was going to be. It was advertised all wrong. It was a very sad movie about Andrew Martin played by Robin Williams who wants to become human and witnesses the death's of his first owner, then Little Miss, and then pleads to be counted as a human before a senate and he dies before hearing the announcement and then Portia says shut off her machine and then she dies. The movie still makes me cry and always will. I recommend this movie it is a very sad movie.

Rating:
Summary: Quickly became one of my top 10 movies
Review: By now you already know the plot of the movie, the question is: is it any good? Well I like most passed on this movie during its theatrical release, I don't know why, I just did. Fast forward 6 months after it's release on DVD, I'm at the video store with a long night ahead and nothing left in stock (New releases) So I pick up this film for some mild entertainment.
Halfway through this movie I paused it and turned to my friend Michael (Another well read sci-fi fan) and I asked him
"Is it me or is this movie fantastic?" We were both astonished by the emotional depth of the film. It is obvious why this was a theatrical bust; it was advertised as a comedy, which it most definitely not. Perhaps it is me, but this film really pressed at all of my buttons, granted as in any movie some scenes are stronger than others, but overall it ends up being an adult movie with a great story. A story of a robot seeking out his humanity, the Movie that A.I wanted to be, but wasn't. If you are a sci-fi fan get it. I ended up buying it after I rented it. If you enjoy it half as much as I did it will be worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Tells much the same story as "A.I.", but much better
Review: The Azimov-based Bicentennial Man (which came out earlier than A.I. and is less visually amazing - and was probably launched to compete with and pre-empt A.I., which took much longer to make), shares A.I.'s sappiness in parts, and is not as convincing in its effects or the acting of the central, robot character, yet somehow manages to tell almost the same story, in its most meaningful parts, much more effectively. A.I. suffers from far too much "wonder" (heartstring-pulling fairy tale hooey plays really well in a movie like Edward Scissorhands, but just plain fails, dismally, in a non-comedy sci fi film that is intending to make a serious point.) In the end, neither Bicentennial Man nor A.I. make any point we didn't already understand intuitively, yet somehow they both make you understand the nature of "humanity" and "personhood" a little better all the same, and both are worth at least one viewing.

PS: The odd thing about Bicentennial Man is that, although it is a "dramedy", with a lot of comedic elements (some of them clearly intended for the child audience - for which it was unfortunately exclusively marketed, with resulting box-office failure - with the overall theme of the film being much more mature), the humans, especially the central family, in Bicentennial Man are much more real-seeming and believable than those in A.I. (whose organic people seemed cut-out and one-dimensional compared to A.I.'s two non-organic main characters, and just about all the major characters in Bicentennial Man).

Rating:
Summary: Robin Shines Again!
Review: Robin Williams again shows his technical acting talents as performs the un-human human android. He initially wears a full rubber costume that he even admits was the most uncomfortable thing to wear.

His entire performance for the first hour was emotionless, confused and robotic. His tone, although short and to-the-point - was often charming and funny.

Sam Neil's performance was wondrous and often respectful at the end of his life. Even the kids were funny and charming in this feature. The special effects also very noticeably advanced.

The DVD extras in this release are very cool. I would have wanted more behind the scenes, but oh well.

The book - a phenomenal piece of work - that this film is based on (Issac Asimov) - is honored by this film. It stays true to the characters. The DVD and the movie are very good. Read the book too!

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not complete or realistic about the Posthuman.
Review: Similar to "Artificial Intelligence," this movie is about the possibility of man creating a new form of life. Robots are mass produced, which somewhat resemble humans, and are meant to serve some purpose. In the case of Andrew, his purpose was to be a butler to a family. It turned out that he became a member of the family, being treated more and more like a human than a machine as he evolved. His owner realized that he had feelings and thoughts that none of the other robots had. So he allowed the robot to read books and that began his journey. He learned how to make crafts, and that's what he did in his spare time. He eventually earned a very high income and his owner let him keep the money for himself, even opening a bank account for him. He gets modifications done, first to allow his face to express the feelings he feels, and eventually getting a nervous system, artificial organs, skin, and a human face. He desires freedom and his owner eventually gives him that- he builds his own house and supports himself. He eventually falls in love with the decendant of his original owner's daughter (he lives to be 200 years old hence the title). They want to get married but the law won't allow her to marry a "robot." So he completes his evolution to the point where he is considered human by congress. He pleaded before them saying that just because he has artificial organs does not disqualify him from being human because many humans have artificial organs that he himself invented. It seems that the final requirement of congress for him to be considered human, and thus legally able to marry another human, is that his body age and eventually die. So he "acheives" this.

I guess the movie was supposed to be inspiring how the robot wants so badly to become more and more human. But basically he had all the attributes of humans only more-- he had greater intelligence, memory, and calculating abilities, he did not require sleep or food, he could never age or die, he was capable of self-maintenence, etc. I could understand him wanting upgrades but not wanting to downgrade from posthuman to human. He could have lived with her just the same only without being legally married.

In this movie, the robot is benign to humans. However, if man did ever create artificial intelligence like this, a being that could think and feel on its own, it wouldn't necessarily be so nice to us. And by its more advanced nature it could potentially break free from our control. I think robots and machines should be advanced, but not given feelings. They are supposed to be our servants, not our family. We already know how to create people, but machines are supposed to serve us and if they were given feelings it would start to become unethical to make them work for us. Also, if the robot could evolve towards being human, wouldn't it be likely then that humans could evolve towards being robotic? They could keep the human attributes they want while taking on desirable robot features. Imagine how much more fun and productivity we could get out of life by not requiring sleep. Imagine how much faster we could learn if we could implant a computer chip into our brain. Imagine being able to live through two centuries-- or longer. If we ever decided we didn't want to live any longer, like the robot, we could end our existence at any time.

Like "Artificial Intelligence," this movie attempts to bring about the issues that will face us in the future-- rapidly escalating technology, posthumanism, robots/ computers that could potentially become humans, etc. However, I think both movies do a poor job of effectively presenting the issues. They really only introduce the concepts and nothing more. If you want to learn more, just do an internet search of "transhumanism" or "posthumanism." I liked Bicentenial Man better than AI because its funny. That robot really was cute and funny at times like in its reaction to when its owner explained sex to him, or how it gives people insults unknowingly, etc.

Rating:
Summary: The world of an evolving robot over a two hundred year span
Review: This film was sadly overlooked upon its release in 1999 (I was one who overlooked it). The film needs to be seen: it is a true epic, spanning not only the 21st century, but ultimately moving into the 23rd!
The production works on many levels. Robin Williams' robot character benefits from the technology (our present day technology) that has resulted in his manufacture -- and, ultimately, that careening technology enables him to become incrementally more human-like. Of course, the humans are simultaneously becoming incrementally more bionic, another result of the technology.
The screenplay is quite engaging. Andrew (the android) immediately develops a fascinating relationship with his "owner", a character he calls "Mister", played quite well by Sam Neill. Since Andrew is more or less immortal, as the decades move along in steady progression, he is later depicted as relating meaningfully with Mister's children, grandchildren --and great-grandchild. All the while, Andrew is incessantly learning, "growing", and evolving. Indeed, the theme of evolution is central to the unfolding of the story. We witness the evolution of society as well, in the background -- and what a fascinating vision it is. Negativity and antagonism seem to be evaporating in this intriguingly depicted future life.
As a Northern Californian I was delighted to see what was done with San Francisco, for example. Two hundred years from now the cable cars are completely unchanged. The Golden Gate Bridge is instantly recognizable, despite that fact that it now has an upper deck! The world-famous Glide Memorial Cathedral is quite the same, though now surrounded by a neighborhood that is spectacularly futurized. The film's special effects are magnificent and beyond criticism.
Few actors are sufficiently nimble to handle the role that seems completely natural for Robin Williams. Great performance!
If you have not seen "Bicentennial Man," you are in for a treat!
Four and a half stars, to be exact.

Rating:
Summary: One is Glad to be of Service
Review: Friends, this is a fantastic film. This is what movies are made for. TO entertain, touch the heart and soul, and ultimately lead us to ponder the very meaning of the important things in life.

Robin williams is the Robot dubbed "andrew", and is magnificent. I couldnt think of anyone else in this role, and am grealtly pleased with his performance.

Embeth Davidtz, or "Little Miss/Portia", is wonderful, vibrant, and amazing. She too fit the role marvelously.

In this movie about a robot, whom is on a quest to search out the enless possibilities life has to offer, going through trial and error, Love and Loss. We are left with the very thought of what is most meaningful to us in our lives.

I am sure you know the plot, so i will share with you what i found so magnificent about this film.

1st, i mentioned Mr. Williams, and Ms. Davidtz. Just wonderful, and their characters were well developed.

2nd. The effects were wonderful, between Andrews little "shows", the flying automobiles, the beautiful backdrops, this movie was visual effects at its best.

3rd. Make up. Lets face it, we get to see our characters grow older, and without being made to look obviously "aged" the characters look belieavably aged, while not looking unhuman! Now thats a wonderful feat that many movies should learn from!

4th. COSTUME. Fabulous, not only "andrews" body, williams can believably be carried out as a robot in this wonderful robotic gear, and Little Miss and family, are styled richely with the times, just watch what the family wears as time passes by, the clothes change with age and time, that is fabulous, the clothing helps alot in the move of things in film, and costume is superb here.

and 5th and finally, the most important of all. THE STORY LINE. with wonderfully thought out emotions, topics, cast, script, etc this movie had it all. LIttle are we blessed with a film that is not only visually but emotionally stunning, and in Bicentennial man we see the meeting of the minds. Guarenteed to touch your heart, this movie is a must for the whole family. SO please, watch this Gem today!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: As Science Fiction a great movie!
Review: As a Science Fiction fan I loved this movie. I'm not crazy about Asimov as a writer (of whose short story this movie is based) but I like most of the plots of his stories.

I love robot stories and so in that to see the transition of the main character (a robot) and his search for others like him as he comes to higher awareness is very interesting.

As a Christian, I find it offensive that anyone could really be taken in by the idea of man making a robot that is clearly supposed to be as human as a human.

However, I suspended my disbelief and enjoyed the pure science fiction of it - I suggest that everyone else do the same and enjoy the movie (but do watch and talk about the movie with your children - good to have them think rather than just decide to avoid it like many have done with Harry Potter another good story).

Rating:
Summary: I don't recommend this movie
Review: I thought this was going to be a good movie when I first saw coming attractions, but it was not good. This movie is NOT a comedy it's a family comedy for maybe the first 45 minutes, if that. For the rest it is a very very very utterly very sad drama.

Bicentennial means 200 Years. He literally lives for 200 years. He's staying alive while he sees everyone he knows and loves die. It's horrible. It's the kind of movie that ruins your day in my opinion. Don't watch it if your in a good mood. But I guess if your sad while your watching it, it'll make you feel worse.

The one good thing in the movie is the adorable Hallie Eisenberg (Paulie, Pepsi) who plays the younger "Little Miss".

Well, for some reason other people who have written reviews seem to like it, I guess it's a matter of interpretation. Maybe watch it and see for yourself.