RODNEY Copperbottom (voiced by McGregor) is a young automaton, growing up in Rivet Town, a suburb of the bustling metropolis of Robot City.

Adored by his parents, Rodney tries to follow the words of his dishwasher father Herb (Tucci): "See a need, fill a need".

So Rodney sets out to become an ace inventor like his hero, Bigweld (Brooks), whose motto is "You Can Shine No Matter What You're Made Of".

In an effort to help his father in the kitchen, Rodney creates Wonderbot, a multi-tentacled mini-marvel with a cheeky personality.

He hopes to showcase his mechanical creation to Bigweld.

En route to Robot City, Rodney encounters an obsolete gang of street-smart robots called the Rusties, one of whom, the maniacal Fender (Williams), becomes Rodney's new best friend.

Joined by Fender's sister Piper (Bynes), Aunt Fanny (Coolidge) and a host of scrap metal chums, Rodney sets out to make his dreams come true, which includes interfacing with hot executive 'Bot Cappy (Berry).

However, there are dastardly deeds afoot in Robot City, perpetrated by Ratchet (Kinnear), who has supplanted Bigweld as head of the company and is planning a spare parts revolution that will signal the end of the Rusties.

Co-directed by Chris Wedge (who made Ice Age) and Carlos Saldanha, Robots is a rollicking, feelgood family fantasy promoting a message of individuality and originality in a world obsessed with conformity.

The animation is crisp and frequently inventive, including a stomach-churning cross-town journey that involves an elaborate series of chutes, springs, catapults, ramps and pulleys.

There are some nice visual gags, the act of making a baby is taken literally: Mr and Mrs Copperbottom (Wiest) create Rodney from a DIY kit. "Eleven hours of labour - but it was worth it," she says, somewhat exhausted, once they have finished."

When the little tyke starts crying, they simply turn down his volume control. Vocal performances are solid with Williams in riotous form, unleashing a torrent of funny accents and adlibs: "It's a fusion of jazz and funk - it's called junk!"

Like the tin man from The Wizard Of Oz, who makes a cameo, Robots sometimes lacks heart and is a triumph of style over substance. However, youngsters will be enthralled by the characters and their adventures.

Damon Smith