To its credit, "I, Robot" does try to be a more cerebral summer movie; the thinking man's version, if you will. And it does so by daring to introduce some fairly thought-provoking concepts.

Of course, that makes it all the more disappointing when the film becomes just another big, dumb, loud action movie over the course of its second half — and especially when some of the trickier plot points are resolved in an easy, fairly brainless fashion. (Actually, for a film that apparently prides itself on its smarts, there's some contrived and conventional plotting at work here.)

Unfortunately, in the end, what will be remembered is how disappointing a treatment this is of some pretty revered source material. Though it takes its name from just one of them, "I, Robot" was inspired by a series of stories by late author Isaac Asimov.

Will Smith stars in this futuristic science-fiction thriller as Del Spooner, a Chicago homicide detective who has a prejudice against what he terms needless technology, in particular robotic life forms. Ironically, his latest case finds him investigating the death of Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell), the world's foremost robotics expert. While others are suggesting Lanning's death was suicide, Del believes the victim was killed by one of his own creations, an android that calls itself "Sonny" (a CGI creation featuring the voice of actor Alan Tudyk).

However, "laws" programmed into each robot are supposed to prevent such a thing, so Del finds himself butting heads with the CEO of the robotics company (Bruce Greenwood), who may have something to hide. So, Del enlists the help of Susan Calvin (Bridget Moynahan), one of Lanning's prize pupils. And cryptic clues also seem to come from beyond the grave, and from the primary suspect.

Curiously, Alex Proyas's direction seems a little flat. The same goes for the performances — it's ironic that the most robotic acting comes from those who are playing human characters (particularly Moynahan).

Smith is considerably livelier — better here than he's been in a while. But you do have to wonder if he has improvised at least some of his own one-liners, considering how little humor there is otherwise.

Digital Domain's CGI effects are convincing and look good. Some of the credit for that should go to production designer Patrick Tatopoulos.

"I, Robot" is rated PG-13 for scenes of sci-fi/action violence (gunfire, robot attacks and explosive mayhem), occasional use of strong profanity, gore (mostly in photos), brief partial male nudity (a shower scene) and use of some crude slang terms. Running time: 115 minutes.

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