ROTTEN TOMATOES: Total Recall: Best Movie Robots

Total Recall: Best Movie Robots

by Matt Atchity

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10. EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator)

Appears in: WALL-E

EVE is a state of the art robot; she can fly at supersonic speeds, she's packing some serious onboard weaponry, and she learns that there's more to existence than just fulfilling her programming.

9. Roy Batty (Nexus 6 Replicant)

Appears in: Blade Runner

Roy is the pinnacle of the Nexus 6 line. Built for combat, he's faster, stronger, and smarter. And although that ability comes with a hefty price (a very short life span), Roy learns to cherish all life at the end of his own.

8. T-1000

Appears in: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

After the destruction of the original T-800 in the first Terminator film, James Cameron obviously felt that he needed to up the ante. Enter the T-1000. Made up of "liquid metal," the T-1000 can perfectly mimic the size or shape of just about anything (or anyone) it touches. It's mostly unstoppable, and one of the coolest robots on the list, but ultimately loses a few points for being taken down by an older model Terminator.

7. HAL 9000

Appears in: 2001: A Space Odyssey

Technically, HAL is a computer, and not a robot, but we're willing to bend the rules for an icon like this. HAL is extremely intelligent, but has a bit of a breakdown, causing him to commit murder. Not Terminator-style mayhem mind you, but quiet, insidious murder, more suited to his calm, cool demeanor.

6. Robocop

Appears in: Robocop, Robocop 2, Robocop 3

Robocop was built by Omni Consumer Products as the ultimate in law enforcement. Admittedly, he's still partly human (a "creamy center" if you will), but he's just entirely too awesome to leave off of this list.

5. WALL-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter, Earth-Class)

Appears in: WALL-E

As the last functioning garbage 'bot on an abandoned Earth, WALL-E diligently continues his work, even though he's evolved a personality. With personality comes loneliness, but also bravery and cleverness, and WALL-E ultimately proves that he's much more than the sum of his programming. Bonus points for being really cute.

4. Optimus Prime

Appears in: Transformers: The Movie (1986), Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

In an entire race made up of really impressive robots, Optimus Prime really stands out. He's an icon of bravery, loyalty, and honor, and he's a magnificent warrior. To be honest, Optimus had a shot at the top spot on the list, but giving him robot lips in the live-action films is just too much. Seriously Prime, you should have put your foot down there.

3. Bender Bending Rodriguez

Appears in: Futurama: Bender's Big Score, Futurama: Bender's Game, Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs, Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder

He drinks! He smokes! He'll tell you to bite his shiny metal ass. He's also hilarious, and arguably the best character on Futurama. While it was primarily a TV show, there are a few direct-to-DVD Futurama movies out there, and if we can't bend the rules for Bender, what's the world coming to? Besides, he threatened to pound us if we didn't include him.

2. T-800 (Model 101)

Appears in: The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day

The T-800 is a legendary machine. Wrapped in an impressive Austrian bodybuilder physique, this robot absolutely will not stop until it either achieves its objective or is destroyed. Either way, expect blood and mayhem in pursuit of its goal. Bonus points for being able to learn, and use snappy phrases like "Hasta la vista, baby."

1. R2-D2

Appears in: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, The Clone Wars

We think R2-D2 is the greatest movie robot of all time for a few reasons. First of all, he's as famous as any robot on this list; ask your grandmother who R2-D2 is, and she'll know who you're talking about. Secondly, when it comes to utility, it doesn't get any better than this: if this little guy can repair starships, then he can do maintenance on your car in his sleep. Not only does he save just about everyone's life at one point or another in the Star Wars movies, according to at least one person, he's also one of the leaders of the rebel Alliance. He's brave, clever, resourceful, and the best friend a young farm boy from Tatooine could ask for.

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(1-20 of 149 posts) | Reply

D Effin W writes:
on Jun 23 2009 08:49 AM

Lol I love this list.

(Reply to this)

JohnnyJonJon writes:
on Jun 23 2009 08:55 AM

R2 is number 1! It doesn't get any better than that.

(Reply to this)

CFM writes:
on Jun 23 2009 09:12 AM

A very fun list, although my personal order would be different. I'd put David MUCH higher up on the list. I loved A.I.

(Reply to this)

sportzboy698 writes:
on Jun 23 2009 09:12 AM

his list is so true...but I feel like they stuck random robots on to make it 50. One's that aren't deserving...(Red Planet....). They should have made it Top 25

(Reply to this)

crystalwhiteeyes writes:
on Jun 23 2009 09:13 AM

This is a great list! Kudos for mentioning SID 6.7. In my opinion, I think Sid and Johnny 5 should have been higher, and of course T-1000 in the top 3. Overall though, a good list!

(Reply to this)

Draic K. writes:
on Jun 23 2009 10:00 AM

How is HAL-9000 not #1 on this list?

(Reply to this)

Racer Z writes:
on Jun 23 2009 10:09 AM

Darn right R2 is #1! Great list. I'd have like to have seen B.E.N. from Treasure Planet make the list though.

(Reply to this)

ColinTheCimmerian writes:
on Jun 23 2009 10:23 AM

Haha very cool. Wasn't sure if you'd put RoboCop on there or not, but I'm glad you did. Would have been nice to see the ABC robot from Judge Dredd on there though, he was bad-***.

I think a sitcom starring Data and Bishop as roommates would be hilarious.

(Reply to this)

JUDGE DREDD writes:
on Jun 23 2009 10:23 AM

Good list R2-D2 number 1, accept NO substitutes! Its a bucket full of screwdrivers and a midget that cant speak, yet its just so damn authentic! LOVE R2!

Others on the list are in wrong order though.

(Reply to this)

Bob S. writes:
on Jun 23 2009 10:36 AM

The T-X ranks higher than Data?? The former was one of the lamest additions to the Terminator franchise, whose signature robots are 2 of the top 8 on your list, while Data was the savior of humanity in FIRST CONTACT. Hate to ***** about a list like this, but T-X should have been closer to 50 than she was.

(Reply to this)

spooksmagee writes:
on Jun 23 2009 10:49 AM

This is the best RT list I've seen in a long time, good job guys!

(Reply to this)

g.mauler writes:
on Jun 23 2009 11:02 AM

Great list, very entertaining, but it's all but COMPLETELY invalidated by Gort's embarrassingly low placement! Some other gripes but nothing I'd get up in a knot over, but Gort #29??? Come on people!!

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 23 2009 11:07 AM

I like R2 at #1 as well.

This list was great! Brought back lots of good memories. I forgot about that mechanical OWL from Clash of the Titans until now.

(Reply to this)

DarthRage writes:
on Jun 23 2009 11:12 AM

I thought GORT from the remake was the best part of that movie. He was an absolute badass, and no robot on this list could even put a scratch on him.

(Reply to this)

chewie louie writes:
on Jun 23 2009 11:25 AM

Yep, R2 deserves #1, but the rest of the list is indeed badly out of order.

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 23 2009 11:31 AM

I remember now which one I thought was missing.

Mark 13 from HARDWARE. That was one bad mo-fo robot!

(Reply to this)

Zettsyuk writes:
on Jun 23 2009 11:37 AM

Where's the robot from Rocky IV? Just kidding, it was good list.

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 23 2009 11:42 AM

Mark13 from Hardware gave me nightmares!

(Reply to this)

JohnnyJonJon writes:
on Jun 23 2009 12:00 PM

In reply to this comment (#2515878)
Happy Birthday Paulie.

(Reply to this)

Matt R. writes:
on Jun 23 2009 12:11 PM

As much as I love Bender, the Terminator and Star Wars; I have to say that HAL got cheated.

(Reply to this)

10. EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator)

Appears in: WALL-E

9. Roy Batty (Nexus 6 Replicant)

Appears in: Blade Runner

8. T-1000

Appears in: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

7. HAL 9000

Appears in: 2001: A Space Odyssey

6. Robocop

Appears in: Robocop, Robocop 2, Robocop 3

5. WALL-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter, Earth-Class)

Appears in: WALL-E

4. Optimus Prime

Appears in: Transformers: The Movie (1986), Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

3. Bender Bending Rodriguez

Appears in: Futurama: Bender's Big Score, Futurama: Bender's Game, Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs, Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder

2. T-800 (Model 101)

Appears in: The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day

1. R2-D2

Appears in: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, The Clone Wars

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