moviefan2k4

I adore this movie, and don't understand why it flopped at the box office. I haven't read any of Isaac Asimov's works, but this film has an amazing heart to it.

To sum things up, Robin Williams plays a robot christened "Andrew Martin" by his owners. The father of the family, Richard (Sam Neill) soon realizes Andrew is not like his mindless counterparts. He is curious, social, and displays a desire for friendship. At first, this frightens some people (including Andrew's own creators), but Richard decides to take Andrew as a student on human nature. Over the course of 200 years, Andrew relates with different generations of the Martin family, and a few other characters like android researcher Rupert Burns (Oliver Platt), who helps Andrew with various "upgrades" to his body and mind.

Chris Columbus directed this, and I'm just wondering what you all think about it, and why (don't forget the second part). If you haven't seen it, the player below should suffice. Enjoy!

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/REuNQvcN8tg?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

EddieMoney

Really? Where does one start with this shitfest? Maybe with this. Just look at this ridiculous bullshit:



Not so sure you're supposed to be embedding entire movies on here.

But yeah. Sorry, I know you like this movie, but it is, in my honest opinion, a colossal heap of rancid shit.

RichC2

I've been confused on the whole thing, I think if it's on YouTube you can technically post it here as long as it doesn't violate any nudity/sex clauses. But I'm not sure, I posted Gleaming the Cube (full movie) off YouTube a while back and nothing really came of it.

Weird Copyrighted Times We Live In. (c) 2013

moviefan2k4

He was at a wedding, Eddie; he's supposed to be wearing a tuxedo. Andrew wearing clothes is a major character point in the film's first half.

rocket1312

I've never seen the movie, but I do remember seeing one of those fake commercials on SNL or Mad TV or some similar show 10 or so years ago for "Didn't Bicentennial Man suck" cereal (I don't remember the exact name, but it was something like this). The setup was a dysfunctional family who don't see eye to eye, but are brought closer together when mom brings home "Didn't Bicentennial Man Suck" cereal because it's the only thing the family can all agree on. I remember it being very funny and it's the first I think of when ever I see the name Bicentennial Man. If I can find the video online somewhere, I'll post it.

DeputyDave

I personally love the movie. Yeah, I know it's sentimental and all that is "wrong with Hollywood" but it is a true guilty pleasure of mine. I haven't seen it in at least a year and this thread makes me want to pop it in now. It's not something I would upgrade to blu-ray though.

EddieMoney

I'm not even referring to the tuxedo.

moviefan2k4

What, then? The look on his face? Its the first of many upgrades he goes through, to gain more emotional expression.

RichC2

Terrible design all around on the robotic Robin Williams, they couldn't have achieved a more ridiculously corny and cheap/tacky look if they tried.

EddieMoney

Yes, he looks cheap and ridiculous to my eyes. Absolutely laughable.

RichC2

As much as people like to trash A.I., it kept the schmaltz to a still-grim final 20 minutes.

TGM

This was not a good movie.

moviefan2k4

I think that was part of the point. Andrew had to appear extremely artificial at the beginning of the film, so his eventual humanity would contrast better by the end.

rocket1312

Beyond the skit that I mentioned above, the other thing that strikes me about Bicentennial Man is that it really was the nail in the coffin for Robin Williams as a leading man. He was one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood during the 90's, and after Bicentennial Man he started doing more supporting roles and playing against type in things like Insomnia and One Hour Photo. I always wondered if that was a specific choice he made, or if Bicentennial Man really did kill his drawing power.

EddieMoney

Ok

inri222

Can someone say overkill.

1990 Cadillac Man
1990 Awakenings
1991 Dead Again
1991 Hook
1991 The Fisher King (Oscar nomination for best actor)
1991 Shakes the Clown
1992 Ferngully
1992 Alladin
1992 Toys
1993 Mrs. Doubtfire
1994 Being Human
1995 Nine Months
1995 Jumanji
1996 The Birdcage
1996 Jack
1997 Good Will Hunting (Oscar winner for best supporting actor)
1997 Flubber
1997 Deconstructing Harry
1997 Fathers' Day
1998 Patch Adams
1998 What Dreams May Come
1999 Jakob the Liar (Golden Raspberry nominee for worst actor)
1999 Bicentennial Man (Golden Raspberry nominee for worst actor)

Why So Blu?

Never seen this one.

RocShemp

It's decent but I remember that it tried a little too hard to pluck at the heartstrings. Not a movie I ever seek out (was never inspired to own it on DVD). If I caught it on TV, I might watch it. After all, I didn't dislike it. It was sweet but disposable.

Hokeyboy

One day there will be a GREAT movie based on the works of Dr. Asimov. Or even a good one.

Bicentennial Man is not a good movie.

Ash Ketchum

They could start a whole line of cereals like that. Let me know when the "Didn't Shawshank Redemption Suck?" edition come out. I'll invite my nephews over and serve it to them and watch the disbelieving looks on their faces. Priceless.

moviefan2k4

I like both "Bicentennial Man" and "I, Robot". They're among my favorites in the sci-fi genre.

Sonic

Bicentennial Man

DJariya

Agree. I'm also a fan of this movie as well. Williams was charming and I liked the romantic chemistry he had with Embeth Davidtz. I found the movie very moving.

I still have the freaking VHS tape I bought used at Blockbuster years ago. Never got around to getting the DVD let alone a BD.

DeputyDave

I actually got mine used (5 for $20) at Blockbuster several years ago.

OldBoy

i thought this movie was pretty whimsical and i had a good time whenever i saw it.