Robots

Robots is well-oiled machine

—Overview
—Photos
—About this Film pdf
—Spiritual Connections

It’s no secret that Disney is in a fragile state after its recent split with Miramax’s infamous Weinstein brothers and an impending break-up with Pixar, its partner in computer-generated success.

Because of this fact, other sources of computer-generated animation are turning up the heat for the mouse-eared mogul, hoping to claim the title of Animation King.

For the time being, the Disney/Pixar collaboration of The Incredibles remains on top with its near-perfect blend of comedy, social commentary, larger-than-life action and a really fun soundtrack. When the two companies split, however, Fox could usurp the throne—especially if it continues in the tradition of its most recent film, Robots.

Robots begins much like the recent flop, Shark Tale, with a sweeping view of a typical day in a completely original, though oddly familiar, world. The world in Shark Tale felt crowded and forced. The world of Robots is easier to believe, perhaps because of better pacing; perhaps because of a toned-down color scheme that seems to fit the sleek, Art Deco environment. We learn the conventions of this new world through non-stop one-liners and sight gags that allude to American pop culture (a “Got Oil?” poster, a robotic parody of Singin’ in the Rain, etc.).

The story follows the life of Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor) from his “delivery” through his high-school graduation in a series of vignettes that puts typical childhood experiences within the context of the robot world. Though each scene could’ve easily reeked of cheese or sewage, Rodney’s innocence combined with great comedic timing makes each gag fun to digest.

Despite Rodney’s lower-class status, his father encourages him to dream—to aspire for greatness as an inventor. Because of this aspiration, he leaves the humble surroundings of Rivet City and boards a train for Robot City, home of inventing mogul Big Weld (Mel Brooks).
Rodney soon discovers that the big city isn’t quite what he was expecting. Big Weld seems to have disappeared, though no one else seems to care in the ultra-mechanized, fast-paced metropolis. After befriending manic hobo Fender (Robin Williams), Rodney tries to get to the bottom of Big Weld’s disappearance, using his mechanical skills along the way to help out those in need.

Perhaps a large part of my admiration for Robots comes from its similarity to the 2004 gem, Big Fish. Both films star Ewan McGregor as a small guy set out to do great things in an unfamiliar world and, after accomplishing those things, he returns to make his home a better place. That doesn’t make Robots plagiaristic, though.

This is a common plot structure found in a large amount of myths, legends and historical stories written throughout the years. Joseph Campbell calls it “the hero’s journey” in his book, The Hero With a Thousand Faces. George Lucas intentionally followed this journey verbatim in his original Star Wars trilogy. It’s a story that appeals to us over and over again, whether we experience it in The Wizard of Oz, The Lord of the Rings or The Lion King.

It’s a plot structure that, for some reason, has fascinated readers or viewers for thousands of years. It would come as no surprise, then, that the historical life of Christ follows that same pattern (God’s son leaves his heavenly home, grows up to spread the news of spiritual redemption and, after sacrificing himself for others, returns to Heaven to provide hope for humanity.). Though I’m not smart enough to determine whether that’s just coincidence or if it’s an archetypal pattern put into our subconscious to reveal the ultimate example of heroics (Christ) and to thus aid in the salvation experience, I do know it allows for more dialogue between Christians and non-Christians.

Though Rodney’s messianic traits are probably not intentional, they seem to resurface on several occasions. After Big Weld’s second-in-command, Phineas T. Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), bans the creation of replacement robot parts, the inhabitants of Robot City learn that the handy Rodney is the only one who can meet their needs. Rodney selflessly repairs the masses, quoting his father’s “see a need, fix a need” motto. Though speaking out against Ratchet’s tyranny could spell out Rodney’s death, he does so in a “temple-clearing” scene because he sees injustices done in Big Weld’s ballroom—a place that once represented hope for all robots through face-to-face encounters with Big Weld. Rodney also has a small group of loyal “disciples.” Ratchet plays a role similar to that of the anti-Christ, who does the bidding of a greater form of evil to usurp the authority of a more powerful, benevolent entity. The film is loaded with familiar elements that subtly allude to Christian themes.

Robots is one of those rare movies with great comedic timing reminiscent of Looney Tunes or The Muppet Show. Though much of the film involves various chases, each chase is intricately plotted out and unique, providing the perfect blend of suspense, slapstick comedy and background eye-candy.

Visually, the film is stunning as the filmmakers have perfected the texture and reflective quality of metal. The curse-fee, PG- rated film can be enjoyed by young and old alike (though some parents may want to shield their youngsters from the not-so-subtle, prevalent potty humor). Though Disney, like Ratchet’s empire, may be king today, Robots could very well be the scrappy little hero that evens out the animation playing field.

—Overview
—Photos
—About this Film pdf
—Spiritual Connections