High concept sci-fi isn’t difficult to come by – as has been the case for decades – but when movies like Robots come along and prove to be every bit as unimaginative and uninspired as their titles, it becomes clear that doing it well is an altogether different matter.
Based on Robert Sheckley’s 1973 short story The Robot Who Looked Like Me, Jack Whitehall and Shailene Woodley headline the light and fluffy crime caper that does boast a solid central premise, but underwhelms on virtually every level. The response indicates as much, anyway, seeing as the film has only mustered 20 and 30 percent Rotten Tomatoes approval ratings from critics and audiences.
Set in the far-flung future of 2032, humanity has gained the ability to use lifelike androids for menial tasks such as servitude and manual labor, but Whitehall’s Charles and Woodley’s Elaine decide to use their robotic doppelgangers to throw off the shackles of the dating world, only for their doubles to gain real emotions and start falling in love.
In return, the real-life Charles and Elaine need to partner up to prevent their artificial imposters from assuming their identities, heading off on the lam, and building a life together. As mentioned, there’s no shortage of potential in the concept, but there aren’t any real laughs or emotional responses to be found. It’s not actively awful, but neither is it remotely worth recommending to someone desperately seeking their next fix of top-tier sci-fi.
That being said, Prime Video subscribers have opted to throw their lot in with Robots, after FlixPatrol named it to have immediately debuted on the Top 10 in every single country Amazon’s streaming service has made it available.