I Robot: Ava Gerlitz

I, Robot

RELEASE DATE July 16

WHY WE CAN'T WAIT Because Will Smith, July, and sci-fi go together like a bucket of popcorn, salt, and the stuff that's supposed to be butter. And because director Alex Proyas wowed us with the unjustly neglected ''Dark City'' (1998).

THE PREMISE In 2035, when robots are common, Smith (pictured) is a robot-loathing Chicago detective investigating a murder in which an automaton is the chief suspect. He's helped by Bridget Moynahan (''The Recruit'') as a shrink specializing in robot psychology.

SOURCE Very loosely inspired by Isaac Asimov's robot tales, in which robots are supposed to be programmed not to harm humans.

BURNING QUESTION Can Proyas' team, after a five-month shoot, whip up the majority of the visuals via CGI in nine months of postproduction?

COME FOR Smith's breezy attitude

STAY FOR Proyas' somber vision