Thursday, July 08, 2004
Rereading I, Robot and Wondering About the Movie
I am in the process of re-reading Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot" in anticipaion of seing the new movie soon. I'd forgotten what fun Asimov seemed to have with his dialogue. This excerpt, from the portion of the book about the two troubleshooters has a line that I really enjoy (emphasis is mine):
"What I want to know," said Donovan, in sudden savagery, "is why we're always tangled up with new-type robots. I've finally decided that the robots that were good enough for my great-uncle on my mother's side are good enough for me. I'm for what's tried and true. The test of time is what counts - good, solid, old-fashioned robots that never go wrong."
Powell threw a book with perfect aim, and Donovan went tumbling off his seat.
"Your job," said Powell evenly, "for the last five years has been to test new robots under actual working conditions for United States Robots. Because you and I have been so injudicious as to display proficiency at the task, we've been rewarded with the dirtiest jobs. That," he jabbed holes in the air with his finger in Donovan's direction, "is your work. You've been griping about it, from personal memory, since about five minutes after USR signed you up. Why don't you resign?"
This whole section of the book has some great lines and some very amusing instances of these two characters troubleshooting their charges strange behaviors, including an abundance of reason, a pool of selenium on Mars, and a supervisory robot who forces his five cybernetic charges through intricate martial and ballet movements whenever something threatens his system.
Very good stuff. I know the movie will take a completely different track, but I am still looking forward to it. The movie seems to be, at least from viewing the trailer, to be an amalgam of A.I., Minority Report, The Terminator, with a little Independence Day thrown in.
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Comments
I want to re-read I, Robot before seeing the movie too, even though the movie isn't really based on any of the stories from the book. I guess I will take it kind of like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and watch it standing on its own merits or not rather than judging it by the book.
I am interested to know what you think of the movie when you see it.
Posted by: Alicia at Jul 9, 2004 10:35:58 PM
