Andrew Martin is unique. Unlike every other android of his time, mere ‘household appliances’, Andrew can feel emotions, employ creativity, he even has a sense of humour. This movie traces his 200 year journey to being accepted as a human being.

Bicentennial Man is not a comedy – Robin Williams doesn’t seem to go for serious comedy anymore, it’s more Patch Adams than Aladdin in that it’s lighthearted, and deeply touching at times. It’s not really science-fiction either – sure, we’ve got flying cars and androids, but they mostly serve as background to the main plot.

Based on a 1975 Issac Asimov story, the future portrayed here is bright and optimistic, far from the gloom of the Matrix or Bladerunner. The optimism of the movie can be seen in the way it only briefly touches on the human (as opposed to humanitarian) themes made possible by the plot – Andrew is blessed with having an owner who fosters instead of represses his individuality, and he rarely has to deal with the stigma of being property instead of a person.

(The story also calls to mind a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, The Making of a Man – my personal favourite ST:NG ever – in which Data is called to justify himself as a freewilled, thinking individual.)

All in all a rather nice ride, and worth the time for the watching.