ROBOT actors in a summer blockbuster. The joke, like the plot to this sci-fi thriller, is almost too obvious to make.

But Will Smith manages to surprise as a leather-loving cop who hates the hordes of robots that are taking over daily life.

It's Chicago 2035 and helpful bots serve beers, empty the bins and deliver the mail.

The release of a newer model promises a more human face and automatic updates, but the techno geeks get it wrong and the software mutates - empowering the robots to break a fundamental law of their existence that stops them hurting humans.

Del Spooner (Smith), by turns broody, comic, angry, offhand, has a grudge against robots, so when robotics pioneer Alfred Lanning (Cromwell) apparently kills himself, Spooner delves deeper and uncovers Sonny (Tudyk), a robot with feelings, and a few philosophical dilemmas.

But not too many questions, for among the product placement and Smith's technophobia are some nervy chases and cool graphics. The future isn't just bright - it's neon, silver-skied and the doors know your name.

Loosely based on the Isaac Asimov classic short stories, I, Robot has added its own cliches: the tubby, buddy police chief; Susan Calvin, a robotics expert and sceptical partner for Spooner (Moynahan makes for a Mulder-Scully pairing); a greedy, all-powerful industry boss; and a computer gone wrong.

Yet it's a slick and visual feast. Hordes of bots clambering over skyscrapers and rioting crowds. Vast underground highways and higher speed chases. It may be 2035, but the shotgun has not been bettered.

Director Alex Proyas (The Crow, Dark City) has walked a fine line between sci-fi action and intelligent human drama.

Mono rating: eight out of ten