Top 5: Androids and Robots

With the release of Pixar's Wall-E, it got me thinking about how much we like robots. Big, little, friendly, killer - it's all good so long as they have some "personality." So, with that in mind, I present a list of my favorite AIs.

5. Sonny (I, Robot)
Any robot that can dream is automatically awesome. Plus, Sonny is played wonderfully by Misfits favorite Alan Tuydk.

4. T-1000 (Terminator 2)
A big jump over the previous series, this new model is a shape shifter that is nearly impossible to destroy. Not only is it stealthy and determined, it also is single-handedly responsible for causing me to feel a minute twinge of anxiety whenever I see Robert Patrick.

3. Tom Servo & Crow T. Robot (Mystery Science Theater 3000)
If I ever had to be trapped on a space station and forced to watch some of the worst movies ever made, I couldn't think of two better companions.

2. Optimus Prime (Transformers)
While Voltron definitely fueled my love for giant robots, none were more beloved or badass than the leader of the Autobots. Anyone who grew up with the cartoon and didn't get chills when they first heard Peter Cullen's voice in the live-action movie is dead inside.

1. Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
One of the things the TNG did so well was use Data to explore what it means to be human without being cheesy or preachy. And seriously, that stuff with the Borg Queen in Star Trek: First Contact is genius. 

Honorable Mentions: Gort (The Day The Earth Stood Still), Conky 2000 (Pee Wee's Playhouse), R2D2 (Every Star Wars ever), Bishop (Aliens), HAL (2001: A Space Oddessy)

Who are your favorite robots? Do you think my list is insane? Share, fellow Misfits, share!

Comments

How can you forget "Robbie the Robot"?

Deke | Jun 27, 2008 9:46:13 PM | #

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I know it's not from a movie, but you ever been on the Star Wars ride at Disneyland? The robot pilot is a hoot; an unintended journey through space ending in the Death Star battle scene from Episode 4, all chalked up to the robot pilot's "first day on the job."

And even though the movie generally sucked, I was impressed with the Warbot from "Judge Dredd" that looked suspiciously like Stallone-contemporary Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Sean | Jun 27, 2008 10:34:33 PM | #

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I loved Data, the way he ws always exploring what it meant to be human was amazing, although I did prefer Data before he got his emotion chip.

Never watched the show myself but my brother always liked Rommie on Andromeda.

A few more of great Robots - C3PO, Number 5, the humanoid cylons on BSG and of course DR Who's nemesis the Daleks.

Dee | Jun 28, 2008 12:15:05 AM | #

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Eve Edison from "Mann & Machine".
Yancy Butler did a wonderful job as a police android capable of emotion... starting at the 7-year-old level.
There's a great nod to Blade Runner in the pilot episode, as the head of the AI Division introduces the other members of her team as "Doctors Scott, Deckard, Ford and Hauer..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAGgZlkBvoY

Chris Johnston | Jun 28, 2008 2:00:10 AM | #

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Kryten (2X4B-523P) from Red Dwarf is my favourite mechanoid. Most of his best quotes occured when he corrected the other crew members regarding Space Corp directives, All Nations Agreement articles, etc.

Rimmer: [to a Rogue Simulant] I don't know who you are, but boarding this vessel is an act of war, ergo we surrender! And as prisoners of war, I invoke the All Nations Agreement article number 39436175880932/B.

Kryten: 39436175880932/B? "All nations attending the conference are only allocated one car parking space?" Is that entirely relevant, sir? I mean, here we are in mortal danger and you're worried about the Chinese delegates bringing two cars.

The humour of Red Dwarf stepped up a few notches when Kryten joined the cast as a regular in Season III...

Jacen | Jun 28, 2008 12:12:51 PM | #

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Don't forget these.

ED-209: The heavily armed robot in Robocop that shoots up the conference room.

Robby the Robot: Forbidden Planet, etc.

ChrisM | Jun 29, 2008 4:12:28 AM | #

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R2D2! The Iron Giant, the robot from Lost in Space, the little robot in the Wallace and Grommit film where they went to the moon, Roy from Blade Runner and Robocop himself.

quester | Jun 29, 2008 3:52:22 PM | #

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Another vote for Eve Edison of Mann & Machine, plus honorable mentions for Kryten, K-9 from Doctor Who, and Hymie from Get Smart -- especially the Patrick Warburton version which was my favorite part of the new movie.

Alex | Jun 29, 2008 8:06:56 PM | #

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Roy from Blade Runner should be in any list of top 5's.

Also Marvin from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the best robots ever. Though not necessarily the way he was portrayed in the movie versus the actual books.

sac | Jun 30, 2008 6:58:58 AM | #

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Where is the love for Awesomo2000 from South Park.

harry | Jun 30, 2008 7:04:17 AM | #

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Johnny 5 from "Short Circuit" (can't believe they are going to re-make that!)

Marvin from H2G2. Love Marvin in the books (agree that he was just okay in the movie, though Alan Rickman's voice was fantastic).

What about Bender from "Futurama"? One of the best things about that show, hands down.

Blue Sean | Jun 30, 2008 7:30:44 AM | #

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RE: The T-1000 in Terminator 2

In a deleted scene I saw somewhere (probably on the DVD), towards the very end of the movie in the metal factory(?) there was a POV shot from T-1000's perspective showing various malfunctions in its internal display. It was having trouble navigating the factory, locating/locking on targets, etc.

The commentary mentioned that James Cameron wanted the audience to realize the T-1000 was ultimately vulnerable… that after everything it had gone through, the advanced terminator was slowly breaking down.

Even though it was a very short scene, it was cut for time.

Rick | Jun 30, 2008 1:50:36 PM | #

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