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Top 10 Movie Robots

Aug 24, 2010

by Creamtrumpet
posted in Forbidden Planet - Sci-Fi Books & Films!

Robots have been appearing in movies for nearly 100 years. They can be cute, cool, scary or just plain annoying, but one things for sure, everyone seems to love them.

The term "robot" was first used by Czech playwright Karel Capek in his stage production R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots). Capek attributed the creation of the word to his brother, Josef. It's derived from the Czech word "robota", which literally translates as "work" or "labour".
Writer Isaac Asimov coined the term "robotics" in 1941, and then famously invented its three "laws".

I have been quite strict with the criteria for this list. Cyborgs have been disqualified, as have human-like androids.
Just out of the Top 10: Gort (Day the Earth Stood Still), Maximillian (The Black Hole), Hector (Saturn 3).

R2-D2

I could have filled this entire list with various robots from the Star Wars movies, but R2 is undoubtedly the most loved of all the droids.
In the original Star Wars trilogy (1977 - 1983) and The Phantom Menace (1999), Artoo was bought to life through a combination of radio controlled models and a suit worn by actor Kenny Baker. A fully CGI version was used for many shots in Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005).

Huey, Louie & Dewey (Silent Running)

Named after the nephews of Donald Duck, these robots are an important part of Douglas Trumbull's underrated Silent Running (1972). Interestingly, the three actors inside the costumes were all double amputees who moved around by walking on their hands.

ED-209

The big, bad enforcement robot from Robocop (1987). ED was bought to life in the movie using a combination of miniature stop-motion animation and a full sized model. A great design - mean and aggressive. Not so great when faced with a flight of stairs though...

ABC Robot

Definitely one of the highlights of the mediocre Judge Dredd (1995) movie. The ABC robot is modeled on the character Hammerstein from the 2000AD comic strip ABC Warriors . 2000AD, of course, is also where the Judge Dredd comic strip appears, so his inclusion in the film is somewhat of an in-joke and a fan pleaser.

The Iron Giant

I love The Iron Giant (1999) movie, and I just had to include this robot in my top ten. I think it's a wonderfully designed and realised character; equal parts intimidating and lovable.
Although the movie is predominantly hand drawn, the Iron Giant is completely computer animated.

Marvin

It was a bit of a battle for last place on my list, but after careful consideration, Marvin from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy claims the final spot. Marvin has the rare distinction of being brilliantly realised twice on screen - in the 1981 BBC television series and the 2005 movie. The version from the TV series actually makes a cameo in the movie, which I thought was a nice touch.
Marvin also gets extra kudos for inspiring the superb Radiohead song, Paranoid Android.

What did you think of this list?

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datalore September 02, 2010

Data was a robot, no?

Creamtrumpet September 02, 2010

I think Data was an android, so I couldn't include him in this list ( I discounted all androids that look human). If I get around to making a Top 10 Movie Androids & Cyborgs list, he'll definitely be on it.

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oneadvent September 02, 2010

What about bicentennial man?

Creamtrumpet September 02, 2010

I considered including Andrew, The Bicentennial Man, but after careful consideration, I concluded he fell into the android category. It's a tricky one as he begins the movie as a robot, but develops into a human-looking android as the movie progresses. He might go on my Top 10 Movie Androids & Cyborgs list, when I get around to writing it.

oneadvent September 02, 2010

Okay, fair enough. That would def be the most influential robot/human I can think of, really made me think of what could come.

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retransmit September 02, 2010

so cool.

Creamtrumpet September 02, 2010

Thanks! :)

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devora August 27, 2010

As you know, I love this list! I especially love that you've got movie robots on it that practically span the century. Thanks for sharing! :)

Creamtrumpet August 29, 2010

Thanks, Deb! I think it's great that, despite the advances in special effects and CGI technology, some of the most memorable screen robots were crafted the old fashioned way.

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KingreX32 August 26, 2010

Nice list. What do you think About Sonny from the Movie IRobot? I thought he was pretty cool, a robot with free will.

Creamtrumpet August 26, 2010

Thanks!
I thought "I, Robot" was OK, and the idea of a robot with free will and emotions was nicely handled, but I wasn't really impressed with the design of Sonny. I think they were possibly inspired by the robots in Chris Cunningham's superb music video for Bjork's "All Is Full of Love", which I think are realised much better.

KingreX32 August 26, 2010

intresting ive never seen that video

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Count_Orlok_22 August 25, 2010

Wonderful list, but I must ask if we're prejudiced against androids? ; )

Creamtrumpet August 25, 2010

Cheers, Sean! I have no prejudice, I promise. Some of my best friends are androids. :P

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TheJohn August 25, 2010

ABC made the list? AWESOME!! THAT is coming from out of nowhere and makes things stand out. I know of ABC from 2000AD but never got around to reading about him.

Creamtrumpet August 25, 2010

ABC Warriors is one of my favourite 2000AD strips, so I was really happy to see him in the Dredd movie, and even happier they did such a great job bringing him to life. Now I want to see an ABC Warriors movie!

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Scotman August 24, 2010

I"ve done a similar list some time ago. What about the Lost in Space robot, B-5? Thanks for the reminder of Silent Running, one of my favorite sci-fi movies.

Creamtrumpet August 24, 2010

I wanted to stick to movie robots, so I couldn't include B-9. The one from the 1998 movie nearly made my list though. :)

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Scotman August 25, 2010

B9, right! To digress, I was at a comics convention that had "Judy Robinson" on stage. She actually didn't know the B9 name. I had the pleasure of meeting June Lockhart in 1999. She wasn't too hot about that remake, but she did say she liked her part. :)

Creamtrumpet August 25, 2010

I have to admit, I looked up the name of B-9 while I was doing research for this list. I recall they just used to call him "Robot" in the series. :) I thought the movie remake was OK. It had a lot of potential, but it was let down by a poor story and a few shoddy CGI effects. Interesting fact: The "bullet time" special effect was used in Lost in Space before The Matrix.

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