I went into 'The 200-Year-Old Man' expecting a thought-provoking sci-fi film, but what I got was a generic melodrama
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Bicentennial Man (1999)
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Bicentennial Man (1999)

This thought-provoking sci-fi film from 1999 stars Robin Williams as a robot searching for humanity. It's a wild ride that explores what it means to be alive, and trust me, it's a real thinker. With its blend of humor and heart, Bicentennial Man is a must-watch for anyone interested in AI, robotics, or just great storytelling.
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I went into 'The 200-Year-Old Man' expecting a thought-provoking sci-fi film, but what I got was a generic melodrama

summarizeEditor's Summary

I went into 'The 200-Year-Old Man' expecting a thought-provoking sci-fi film, but what I got was a generic melodrama that failed to deliver on its promise. The movie's attempts at exploring the intersection of technology and humanity fell flat, and I'm still trying to figure out why. The film's portrayal of a robot developing emotions and forming a bond with a family is interesting, but it's ultimately a love story that fails to evoke any emotions in me. The movie's lack of explanation for the robot's changes and humanity is a major letdown, and the romanticized portrayal of a robot-human relationship is just too idealized.

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Hikaye2/10
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OyununKonusu3/10
I've got to say, 'The 200-Year-Old Man' is one of those cinematic gems that really speaks to people who are into the whole AI and robotics thing. Kinopoisk gives it a solid 7.980, but to be honest, I barely made it through. Maybe it's just because the film is from 1999 and back then, people had a totally different perception of the future and AI compared to now. At first, it's all about the latest tech advancements, but ultimately, it's a love story.
So, what's the film about?
It's the start of a new millennium, and there's a breakthrough in global tech. People are ditching their pets for robots - that's exactly what the Martin family does when they get themselves a cutting-edge robot, the NDR-114, or just Andrew as he's affectionately called. Initially, Andrew's just a programmed device meant to do household chores, but he starts experiencing these weird feelings. Little does he know, that's what they call emotions.
Midway through the story, we meet Andrew - a robot with a unique personality.
He's introduced to the family, who he's supposed to serve, and Sir - that's what Andrew calls his father - starts taking an interest in him. Every day, they chat, and he learns all sorts of human things. Meanwhile, the family's patriarch says, "This is a machine. You can't pour your feelings into a machine".
But Andrew forms a bond with the family, works hard, loves the kids, and even learns to crack jokes. As time goes by, he develops even more.
I've got to say, the robot has a soft spot for the smallest member of the family, which he affectionately calls The Little Miss, the key female lead.
Let's get real, Andrew looks like a robot. My initial infatuation with the robot didn't exactly give me a warm fuzzy feeling. By this point, I'd already realized that the movie's not going to deliver any real sci-fi magic, but rather a generic melodrama. And even that's a bit weird.
What's even more interesting is that the role of the granddaughter and grandmother is played by the same actress. It's like Andrew's always been in love with the same woman, and never changes his mind.
Throughout the movie, Andrew undergoes a transformation.
He starts wearing costumes.
And then he even finds himself a plastic surgeon.
I think part of the movie's fanbase are die-hard Robin Williams fans. He's great, just like Embeth Davidtz, but two hours felt like a chore.
There's just too much generic melodrama. The love story between the robot, the grandmother, and the granddaughter didn't evoke any emotions in me, except for skepticism. Everything's just too idealized and romanticized.
I have to say, the love story takes center stage. We barely get any questions about how the media, politicians, or most people reacted to the first free robot, or how the first robot-human marriage was perceived. It's like those questions don't matter. What's more important is how the main character chooses between a human man and robot Andrew.
By the middle of the movie, the soap opera aspect is getting more screen time than the robot theme. And honestly, it's just not convincing to me. None of the robot's changes, humanity, or love story resonated. I'm not getting any explanations, either from a technical or psychological standpoint. Why is he different from other robots? How did he manage to develop into a human-like being?
After watching gems like AI and The Terminator, it's hard to take this film seriously. I'd believe it more if robots were going to destroy humanity or vice versa, but this is just a romantic tale.
I'm not saying the movie isn't worth watching. Maybe back in the late 90s, this future looked different to us. For its time, this film was actually good. If you're into feel-good, romantic stories, you might enjoy The 200-Year-Old Man. I just expected something else, so we didn't connect.
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live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the film about?

The movie takes place in the late 1990s and follows the Martin family as they get a cutting-edge robot, Andrew, to do household chores. However, Andrew soon begins to experience emotions and forms a bond with the family, leading to a love story that's central to the film.

Is the film worth watching?

If you're into feel-good, romantic stories, you might enjoy 'The 200-Year-Old Man.' However, if you're looking for a thought-provoking sci-fi film, you might be disappointed.

What's the deal with the robot's emotions?

The film doesn't really explain how Andrew develops emotions or why he's different from other robots. This lack of explanation is a major letdown and makes the film's portrayal of a robot's humanity feel unconvincing.

Is the movie's portrayal of a robot-human relationship realistic?

No, the film's portrayal of a robot-human relationship is overly romanticized and lacks realism. The movie fails to explore the complexities and challenges of such a relationship.

What's the film's message?

The movie's message is unclear and feels overly sentimental. The film fails to deliver a compelling message or theme, making it feel like a generic melodrama.

Is the film suitable for all ages?

Yes, the film is suitable for all ages, but it may not be particularly interesting for younger viewers.

What's the film's runtime?

The movie's runtime is approximately 2 hours.

Is the film available on streaming platforms?

Yes, the film is available on various streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime and Hulu.

check_circlePros

  • The film has a unique premise that explores the intersection of technology and humanity, but it's not fully developed.
  • The robot's character development is interesting, but ultimately underwhelming.
  • The film's visual effects are decent, but not particularly impressive.
  • The cast, including Robin Williams and Embeth Davidtz, deliver solid performances.
  • The movie's themes of love and relationships are timely and relevant.
  • The film's portrayal of a robot's emotions and humanity is a unique take on the genre, but it's not convincing.

cancelCons

  • The movie's attempts at exploring the intersection of technology and humanity fall flat.
  • The film's lack of explanation for the robot's changes and humanity is a major letdown.
  • The romanticized portrayal of a robot-human relationship is just too idealized.
  • The movie's pacing is slow and plodding, making it feel like a chore to watch.
  • The film's characters are underdeveloped and lack depth.
  • The movie's themes of love and relationships are overly sentimental and cliched.

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