One of the most charming features of Chris Wedge's animated film Ice Age is how simple and uncluttered it is both in design and storytelling.
Not so his newest feature Robots, a high-tech, high-energy condemnation of conformity.
Somewhere in the universe is Planet Robot, where little machines function in much the same way humans do on Earth.
The mecca of this world is Robot City a kind of Oz ruled by a rotund, benign wizard known as Big Weld (voiced by Mel Brooks).
Big Weld believes that robots can and should reach their true potential.
That's all gangly, idealistic, would-be inventor Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor) needs to hear before heading off to Robot City.
What Rodney discovers when he arrives is that Big Weld has been imprisoned in his own laboratory, and the evil Phineas T. Ratchet (Greg Kinnear) and his conniving mother Madame Gasket (Jim Broadbent) are bent on creating a world of super-bots that all look and act the same, while doing away with "outmodes," which is what the old robots are called.
It's up to Rodney and a gang of outmodes to rescue Big Weld and stop Phineas and his mom.
Like so many heroes, Rodney is rather dull compared to his eccentric buddies, especially Fender, voiced in super manic mode by Robin Williams.
Fender is essentially the Blue Genie from Aladdin, which is precisely what this flick needs to liven it up. Williams' verbal ramblings are hilarious and will keep teenagers and adults amused.
Children, on the other hand, will be mesmerized by the frenetic, non-stop action.
It's the equivalent of a video game gone ballistic.
There is so much background detail it's overwhelming at times, and distracts from the story and characters.
That may be intentional as these robots are nowhere near as interesting or engaging as the prehistoric animals in Ice Age.
Kinnear makes a good villain and Broadbent is menacing without being too scary for preschoolers.
Amanda Bynes makes Fender's tom-boy sister Piper Pinwheeler a strong and funny role model for young girls.
As the aptly-named Aunt Fanny, Jennifer Coolidge will no doubt delight youngsters who find flatulence funny.
The hesitant love affair that blossoms between Rodney and the classy executive robot Cappy (Halle Berry) adds nothing to the story.
There are several action sequences that are genuinely dazzling, such as when Rodney arrives at Robot City and takes public transit with Fender.
This sequence is unquestionably one of the highlights of the IMAX version of Robots, as is the dominoes ride in Big Weld's studio.
Robots seems designed for children with short attention spans, bombarding them with colour and movement and throwing in some ideas just for good measure.
(This film is rated G)
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