Robots

If the makers of "Robots" had put even half as much effort into the plot and script as they did the film's computer-animated graphics, they would have really had something.

Instead, this thinly scripted but brilliantly animated comedy feels as clunky and mechanical as its characters. And in some ways it may remind audiences of "Ice Age," which, coincidentally, came from the same filmmakers.

However, "Ice Age" had an underlying sweetness that compensated for its obvious plot deficiencies. "Robots" tries to make up for that with a frenetic, throw-everything-at-the-screen-and-see-if-it-sticks sense of humor. Unfortunately, too many jokes consist of low-brow toilet gags (including an extended flatulence sequence) and a disturbing emphasis on rear-end references.

Also, the film features Robin Williams as a voice performer, hoping he can duplicate his memorable turn in "Aladdin." Instead, he's a first-class irritant here, and he clearly feels obliged to dominate every scene he's in.

As you may have guessed, "Robots" takes place in a world where every "living" creature is robotic. That includes Rodney Copperbottom (voiced by Ewan McGregor), a would-be inventor who's hoping to get his big break in Robot City.

Rodney is hoping to get a job working for the eccentric but kind-hearted tycoon Big Weld (the voice of Mel Brooks). But when our hero arrives in the big city, he finds Big Weld has gone missing.

What's worse, Big Weld's corporation has been taken over by Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), a profit-hungry executive who's trying to make sure aging and other obsolete robots are phased out and turned into scrap metal.

So it's up to Rodney and his friends, including the fast-talking, would-be entrepreneur Fender (Williams) to find Big Weld and stop Ratchet before it's too late.

There are some dazzling sequences, including an obvious homage to Charlie Chaplin's roller-skating antics in 1916's "The Rink." And the Rube Goldberg-like transportation devices in Robot City lead to some fun, amusement park-like bits.

Yet, despite its nod to "The Wizard of Oz" and other classic fantasies, the by-the-numbers script isn't close to being on par with the animation.

That may account for the voice cast sounding so uninspired — and why Williams tries to fill the available empty space.

The trailer for next year's "Ice Age 2" is playing before the film — and it's a lot more engaging and clever than "Robots."

"Robots" is rated PG for crude sight gags, jokes about and references to bodily functions and body parts (some of which definitely push the PG rating), and violence (mostly slapstick). Running time: 91 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com