Most Memorable Robot Films

14 July 2013

Robot & Frank

Robot & Frank is the charming and heartfelt tale of Frank and his digital companion who are brought together through illness but become partners in crime with surprising consequences.

To celebrate Robot & Frank coming to Blu-ray, DVD and to download on 15 July we have compiled a list of our favourite robot films and the stories that have held our fascination.

- Short Circuit

With the adorable story line of Number 5, also known as Johnny 5, one of a group of experimental military robots undergoes a sudden transformation after being struck by lightning.

He develops self-awareness, consciousness, and a fear of the reprogramming that awaits him back at the factory. With the help of a young woman, Number 5 tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he has truly become alive.

- The Terminator

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most iconic role as The Terminator a vicious killing machine that will do whatever it takes to kill his target - including murdering people who happen to share her name.

As a cyborg sent from the future on a deadly mission, to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), a young woman whose life will have a great significance in years to come. The Terminator uses his exceptional intelligence and strength to find her.

- Star Wars

Star Wars may not be considered a Robot film due to the fact that it follows the life of a simple farm boy, Luke Skywalker, as he attempts to rescue a Rebel leader, Princess Leia from the clutches of the Empire.

But his allies C-3PO and R2-D2 are two of the most memorable Robot characters. Their unusual friendship - CP30 is the only one who can understand R2-D2’s beeps and whistles - stand as the backbone of the entire original trilogy.

- Robocop

Set in a future and crime-ridden, Detroit, which is controlled by a corporation who have developed a huge crime-fighting robot, which unfortunately develops a rather dangerous glitch. The company sees a way to get back in favour with the public when a cop called Alex Murphy is killed by a street gang.

Murphy's body is reconstructed within a steel shell and named Robocop. The Robocop is very successful against criminals, and becomes a target of supervillian Boddicker.

- Wall-E

Disney takes on the thoughts and feelings of Robots and brings us Wall-E. Wall-E is a Robot in a distant future, where mankind has abandoned earth because it has become covered in rubbish from products sold by the powerful multi-national corporation.

Setting the scene for a Robot love story, as Wall-E is left alone on earth to clean up the mess until sleek and dangerous Eve comes to Earth to find proof that life can once again return.

- Robot & Frank

From the producers of Lost in Translation and Where The Wild Things Are, comes a heartfelt and charming comedy about an unusual friendship between Frank (Frank Langella) retired cat burglar and a Robot.

Frank’s two grown children (James Marsden, Liv Tyler) are concerned he can no longer live alone. Against the old man’s wishes, his son buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health.

Slowly, and with a fair bit of reluctance, Frank begins to accept his new digital companion, seeing an opportunity to use Robot’s unique skills to try their luck as a heist team.

- Transformers

A long time ago, far away on the planet of Cybertron, a war is being waged between the noble Autobots (led by the wise Optimus Prime) and the devious Decepticons (commanded by the dreaded Megatron) for control over the Allspark, a mystical talisman that would grant unlimited power to whoever possesses it.

This ancient struggle comes to Earth, with a clue to the ultimate power held by a young teenager (Shia Laboeuf). Using amazing special effects the giant Robots really come to life and take on a life of their own, going from car to Robot in a matter of seconds.

- Bicentennial Man

This charming film follows the 'life' and times of the lead character, an android who is purchased as a household robot programmed to perform menial tasks.

Within a few days the Martin family realises that they don't have an ordinary droid as Andrew (Robin Williams) begins to experience emotions and creative thought.

In a story that spans two centuries, Andrew learns the intricacies of humanity while trying to stop those who created him from destroying him.

- I Robot

Based on the famous short story collection by Isaac Asimov, Blockbuster hit set in the year 2035 follows a techno-phobic cop (Will Smith) as he investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which eventually leads to uncovering a larger threat to humanity.

At the center of the storyline is Sonny, a robot who possesses a desire to overcome his rigid programming and become more than just another cog in a very large machine. With dazzling special effects, Robots come to life and take on a mind of their own.