ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

SpecialsTarget Disturbing yet enthralling

Manthast Absolutely amazing

Married Baby Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

adonis98-743-186503 An android endeavors to become human as he gradually acquires emotions. Bicentennial Man is directed by Chris Columbus (Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York) and stars Robin Williams (Jumanji, Good Will Hunting) and Sam Neil (Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, Escape Plan) and it's one of the saddest and coolest robot movies of all time that really deserves more recognation. The ending of the movie was so freaking sad and tear jerking in the likes of Terminator 2 and Iron Giant but also showcases the meaning of a machine looking on becoming an actual person and packed with Williams outstanding perfomance it's a triumph to be honest. (10/10)

powermandan 'Bicentennial Man' was one of Robin Williams' last films in the 90s; possibly his worst decade for film. Despite some major triumphs (Good Will Hunting, Awakenings, Mrs. Doubtfire) Williams also had his fair share of failures (Toys, Jack). In between these were some flicks with great intentions that ultimately flopped (Patch Adams, Father's Day). 'Bicentennial Man' does not really fall into any of these categories because it is not entirely good or bad. Just watch the film for yourself and be the judge and summon your own opinion on this gentle sci-fi picture. The saving grace with any Robin Williams film is Robin Williams (well, Toys is the exception). There are many funny-as-hell people that are also excellent serious actors, but Williams had a way of really reaching deep inside someone's soul and resonating his angelic soul within the viewer. And 'Bicentennial Man' was tailor-made for Williams' true self. He plays a robot named Andrew who is bought to service the Martin family. There are parallels with Andrew and Robin. Sure he's hilarious and talented, but it is his inner self that lingers on. The difference with Andrew and most other robots in movies is his growth to attaining human emotions. He loves the parents (played graciously by Sam Neill and Wendy Crewson), youngest daughter he nicknames "Little Miss", even the older daughter that hates him. They quickly think of him like one of the family, equal to them. The chemistry between Andrew and the family is fantastic. Anybody that says the relationship between Andrew and the family is cheesy and Hallmark-y is dead wrong. It's not just Robin Williams that is owning his part, it's something the entire cast and crew needed to contribute properly. And it works perfectly.Clocking in at over 130 minutes and having a title like "Bicentennial Man" it is obvious that Andrew and the Martin family was not going to happen throughout the duration of this film. But boy, I wish I wish it did. Just over an hour is Andrew and the Martins. I was absolutely loving this. There are some ups and downs in the family, none of which are cheep. There is a scene where Andrew and Little Miss are playing piano and it flashes forward about twenty years, so the flaws that are in this are forgivable. I'm not saying this first hour is perfect, but is sure is wonderful. Following the death of Mr. Martin, I was ready to eject this, thinking it was over and the time went by fast. I was so wrong. After this the movie becomes a run of the mill, equality, Pinocchio, love conquers all movie. The second hour is where the movie becomes the shmaltzy, Garry Marshall, Hallmark movie I was afraid of. He wants independence and to be full human, yadda-yadda-yadda. And this 69 minute portion feels so stretched out. He meets and inventor (another great performance here by Oliver Platt) who holds the keys to Andrew becoming as human as can be. Now the Hallmark stuff gets put on hold for some fascinating robotic innovations and wickedly cool filming. This closes the chapter of seeing Andrew looking like a robot and Andrew looking like Robin. While the special effects were cool, the progession of the story become more cliched. I know I've said numerous times how corny the second half is, but I can't stress it enough. After a long dry-spell from Little Miss, Andrew returns to surprise her with his humanoid expterior. Adult Little Miss is played by Embeth Davitz, as is her granddaughter. A romance blossoms between Andrew and this fourth generation woman. It is even cheesier than the romance in the recent 'Shape of Water.' By the end credits I went back and skimmed a few seconds from the beginning, baffled to think such a wonderful movie ended up so lousy. But, I have a talented actor to thank for helping me make it through this movie. 'Bicentennial Man' isn't entirely bad. Even some parts in the bad half are saved by excellent filming. They were nominated for an Oscar, a win would not have been a big deal. But the poor writing almost completely overclouds this aspect. If you are a huge fan of Robin Williams, then I recommend giving it a watch. If not, I recommend watching the lovely first half and stopping once Mr. Martin passes away. That is what I will do from now on.6.5/10 (rounded up)

Starz_Seeker It's just sad that this movie get's trashed so much. But I understand why. It's 3 movies in one, it pulls people in different directions but never completes the journey. The first part is about a family with a robot butler with half of them either not liking or not trusting while the others accept him and try to teach him the ways of the sometimes irrational and confusing human relationships. They never quite complete the story, we don't know what happened to the sister or the mother. The story then transitions to a pure Star Trek theme of an artificial intelligence/robot/android seeking others like him and searching for his humanity while trying to become more human. Even gets a dog (can anyone say Data with Spot?). All the pieces for a great story are there with so many possibilities that they don't explore. The next phase is a love story where Embeth Davidtz shines but for far too short a time. It's a tease like having only a sip of your favorite wine or coffee and not allowed to finish the glass or the cup. The movie runs over two hours but it isn't enough time to do justice to the wealth of material. This should have been a trilogy or at the very least a two part story. It is worth a second and third viewing as it seems to give you more of each chapter of the journey. I cannot give it a 10/10 but it deserves a 7/10 because I can see past it's shortcomings and see it for what it could have been. Robin Williams was only average in this one, not great but not bad either. Embeth Davidtz was a shining light in the last 40 minutes. Final score 7/10.

Ed-from-HI Isaac Asimov the renowned futurist and superlative writer of both speculative-fiction and factual science created 'The Bicentennial Man' originally in novella form (first published in 1976 reflecting on America's Bicentennial Year), later expanded to full length-novel by Robert Silverberg, and then onto the circa1999 film directed by Chris Columbus showcasing an intricate and intriguing thespian performances by Robin Williams.   **Spoiler Alert** Telling the fascinating tale of an advanced-automation-android named 'Andrew' who learns to become more 'human' thru daily interactions with a close-knit human family, and the subsequent generational contacts with their descendants (over multi-decades) Andrew's ever-increasing-expanding artificial-intelligence seems to reach the threshold-verge of 'self-awareness' resulting in 'Andrews' ultimate desire to finally become fully-recognized as a genuine 'human-being' by society.The filmed version is not perfect but Robin Williams performance is definitely praiseworthy for the meticulously expert, poignant portrayal of 'Andrew' transforming (over time) from a mere automation into a genuine aspirational 'mortal' human being, embodying an emotionally resonant & convincingly heartfelt transfiguration!Director Chris Columbus did an outstanding job maintaining sincerity & focus making this story as believable as possible, and encouraging the audience to care as much about 'Andrew's' plight & burgeoning aspirations, as though he were already human!I don't think Robin Williams' intriguingly heartrending performance, or Isaac Asimov's deeply thought-provoking original Story received the widespread recognition & accolades they both truly deserved…… but 'The Bicentennial Man' most certainly qualifies as a modern "Lost Treasure' that deserves to be appreciated by all who consider ourselves genuinely 'human'