Robots

In the bustling metropolis of Rivet Town, Herb Copperbottom (Stanley Tucci), a diligent dishwasher at Gunk's Greasy Spoon diner, is overjoyed by the imminent arrival of his first child with wife Lydia (Dianne Wiest). After 12 hours of meticulous preparation, they successfully construct their newborn, Rodney (Ewan McGregor), who grows up to be a brilliant and ambitious young inventor. Rodney idolizes Bigweld (Mel Brooks), the renowned master inventor and founder of Bigweld Industries, and spends his adolescence tinkering with gadgets, including "Wonderbot," designed to aid his father in his dishwashing duties.

However, when Herb's boss, Mr. Gunk (Dan Hedaya), unexpectedly confronts them, Wonderbot malfunctions, causing chaos and debt that ultimately leads to Herb's termination from the diner. Faced with financial ruin, Rodney decides to leave Rivet Town and head to Robot City to seek out Bigweld's guidance and a job as an inventor at Bigweld Industries. His father, though initially hesitant, encourages his son to pursue his dreams, confessing that he has always regretted not following his own passion for music.

Upon arriving in Robot City, Rodney meets Fender (Robin Williams), a resourceful but ramshackle robot who ekes out a living by taking tourist photos and selling maps of the city's celebrity homes. After a harrowing ride on the crosstown express, Rodney finally reaches the gates of Bigweld Industries, only to discover that Phineas T. Ratchet (Greg Kinnear) has taken over the company and plans to discontinue the production of spare parts, focusing instead on selling lucrative upgrades to newer robots.

Ratchet's ruthless philosophy is further exemplified by his mother, Madame Gasket (Jim Broadbent), a formidable force who oversees the Chop Shop, where older robots are brutally dismantled and melted down. Rejected by Bigweld Industries, Rodney finds solace in an assortment of "Rusties" – older robots facing the threat of the Chop Shop – at Aunt Fanny's (Jennifer Coolidge) boarding house.

Inspired by Bigweld's iconic slogan, "See a need, fill a need," Rodney decides to take matters into his own hands and begin repairing old robots on his own. As news of this defiance spreads, Madame Gasket orders Ratchet to stop Rodney and eliminate Bigweld, setting the stage for an epic battle between creativity and conformity.

As Rodney (voiced by Robin Williams) rushes to Herb's aid, he discovers that his friend's predicament has reached a critical juncture: without replacement parts, Herb's condition is spiraling out of control. Undeterred, Rodney decides to take a bold step and reach out directly to Bigweld, hoping the legendary inventor will reconsider his decision to cease producing spare parts. Wonderbot serves as a gentle reminder that the annual Bigweld Ball is just around the corner, and Rodney seizes this opportunity to plead his case in person.

Donning disguises, Rodney and Fender (voiced by Mike McCurry) infiltrate the exclusive gathering, only to find themselves stunned by Ratchet's announcement: Bigweld has declined attendance. Rodney's frustration boils over as he attempts to confront Ratchet, but security robots intervene, foiling his efforts. Salvation arrives in the form of Cappy (Halle Berry), a stunning robot-executive who shares Rodney's disdain for Ratchet's machinations. Together with Fender and his new love interest, Loretta Geargrinder (Natasha Lyonne), they manage to escape the ball's confines.

Meanwhile, Fender finds himself in a precarious situation when he's kidnapped by the Chop Shop's nefarious operatives. As he struggles to break free, his predicament becomes even more dire as he loses his lower half in the process. However, Fender refuses to give up, and after reluctantly attaching a new set of female legs, he makes a daring escape.

As Rodney and Cappy fly to Bigweld's residence, an unexpected turn of events unfolds when Rodney inadvertently triggers a chain reaction that brings Bigweld into view. With conviction, Rodney implores Bigweld to reclaim his position at the helm of his company and revive the production of spare parts, but Bigweld remains resolute.

Reinvigorated by a heart-to-heart with his parents, Rodney redoubles his efforts to rally the Rusties against Ratchet's tyranny. Fender reveals that Gasket has secretly constructed an armada of super-sweepers, designed to round up and destroy all older robots. Bigweld ultimately decides to join forces with Rodney, having grasped the significance of his role in the inventor's life.

The group sets its sights on Bigweld Industries, where Bigweld delivers a crushing blow by firing Ratchet. However, Ratchet exacts revenge by pummeling Bigweld into submission. As the dust settles, Rodney and Bigweld make their escape, with Bigweld receiving much-needed repairs along the way.

As they flee from Ratchet's wrath, Cappy expertly navigates her Magnetizer vehicle to reunite the group. In a thrilling sequence of events, she manages to rescue all the Rusties, Rodney, and Bigweld, but inadvertently sends Bigweld tumbling into the Chop Shop, where he becomes trapped.

As the dust settles, a frenzied free-for-all erupts between Gasket's employees and Rodney's reconstituted robots. In the midst of the mayhem, Bigweld is dramatically rescued by Rodney, who valiantly thwarts the enemy forces, dismantling the choppers and sweepers in the process. Meanwhile, Wonderbot exacts a fitting revenge on Gasket by propelling her into the Melter's fiery depths, while Ratchet finds himself stuck to the ceiling alongside his father, having lost his valuable upgrades. As order is gradually restored, Bigweld makes his way to Rivet Town to share the extraordinary news with Rodney's parents that their son has emerged as his trusted right-hand inventor and future successor.

As a testament to Rodney's creative genius, he brings joy to his father by presenting him with a three-bell trumpet, coaxing an impromptu jam session from the assembled crowd. Fender is particularly enamored with the unique blend of Jazz and Funk that permeates the atmosphere - "Junk" being the perfect descriptor for this innovative fusion.

As the credits roll, the audience is treated to a rousing celebration, as they dance in unison to James Brown's iconic anthem, "Get Up Offa That Thing". Before the final curtain call, Wonderbot takes it upon himself to right a past wrong by plucking Timmy (the gatekeeper at Bigweld Industries who had previously refused Rodney entry) from his post and launching him into the air. As Timmy exclaims "I was on this list!", the crowd erupts in jubilation, marking the triumphant conclusion of this extraordinary tale.