Movie Review: I Am Legend
Published December 27, 2007
In channeling Tom Hanks and taking advice from Tom Cruise, Will Smith proves once more why he is one of Hollywood’s leading actors. What makes Smith an extraordinary talent is his sterling ability to show external as well as internal emotion. What’s more, Smith takes on the form of the quintessential specimen of a human male. When Smith performs pull-ups in his New York home, his muscles flex, and viewers are amazed.
Besides featuring Will Smith, I Am Legend possesses some similarity to I, Robot, apart from the obvious titling one. Besides filing both films in the “I” section of the collection, I Am Legend features CGI villains who creep up buildings like spiders and learn to exhibit human thinking patterns.
On the other hand, these villains are more like half-zombies/half-vampires than robots. Simply put, they provide forcefully creepy scenes. Two scenes in particular stand out: one where Smith enters a dark building in search of his dog, and another where Smith is caught in a trap and must flee before sunset. Conversely, the film’s best two scenes are villain free. These are centered on the opening hunt via Ford Mustang and the dog.
If I Am Legend can be criticized for any major flaw, it is for its inclusion of religion. The story becomes a battle over the disbelief in a merciless Lord and the belief in a speaking God. This matter is not expanded upon, but it is the reason for justifying the film’s ending. Should one suppose that because the Earth is now quiet, humans can hear the voice of God?
With the religion pushed out of the way, I Am Legend’s most intriguing concept is again found in its lead’s loneliness. Of course, complete isolation from everything equals open access to anything. If you’d like to drive golf balls off an air force jet, go through strangers’ cabinets, drive on sidewalks, and “rent” any movie, you can! Obviously, in a world like this, money also becomes irrelevant. Mid-film, a scene shows stacks of cash all over a room’s floor and the main character doesn’t even give the green a second glance.
With this thinking in mind, don’t look twice at your wallet before shelling out cash to view I Am Legend. It is an impressive post-apocalyptic tale that’s eerie and genuinely affecting. While it’s not exactly a legendary film, I Am Legend is worthwhile entertainment.
![]()
- Movie Review: I Am Legend
- Published: December 27, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Action, Video: Thriller
- Writer: Brandon Valentine
- Brandon Valentine's BC Writer page
- Brandon Valentine's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments
THIS MOVIE HAD A GOOD STORY LINE !
IT STARTED GREAT...BUT ENDED NOT SO GOOD!
Mary,
The worst movie you have ever seen? No purpose or subject? Don't you think that may be a stretch? I don't doubt that you disliked the picture, but seriously?
While there are plenty of films worthy of your words, I don't believe that I Am Legend is one of them. But don't worry, I'm not here to "pormote" the movie. I just offer my opinion, much like you did.
To be honest, I thought this film was one of the best I have ever seen (no comments like ''You musn't have seen many films then'', because I've seen more than most). It was emotional, clever, had action in it and made me want to shout out to Robert, even though I was in a full cinema. It CLEARLY has a storyline etc. The ending wasn't too great but the rest of the film more than made up for it.
**MAJOR SPOILERS**
I thought the film was good. When I saw the Trailers I thought it will either be amazing or very much a waste of my time. I went to watch it this evening and it started very well. I found it believable that the Virus could spread in the way it did. Unfortunatly I thought the CGI was a bit pants. When you look at films made recently, and then look at the Lion attacking the Deer in the City Centre, it's all round crap. And the Zombies aswell, for such a high budget film they should have done make-up instead of CGI.
The film seemed to go downhill after you got used to the fact he had to gather, hunt (notice how he never caught anything?) and basically survive.
What was the 'God' line all about? Completly lost me and thought it was unecessary. Also, the Shrek line miming? Funny at first, but went on too long.
So i'd give it 7/10
I really enjoyed the movie. Although, I was not expecting it to be that suspenseful, but it was intriguing and thought provoking.
As for the effects (Miss Lisa) I disagree. For one not all of the monsters were fake all though the movie. Second if they had just put people in costumes then the "dark seekers" could not have popped the way they did, and would not have been as inhuman (which they were supposed to be). Also the Shrek line it symbolized the way the Neville felt/the way he was acting, hello, think outside the box.
For anyone interested,
As I found out from my dad I Am Legend was based off of another movie called The Omega Man, which was based off another movie called The Last Man on Earth, which was based off of a novel called I Am Legend. According to my dad The Omega Man is better than I Am Legend. Personally I have not seen the others but I would like to, how about you?
I thought it was very good.
Well, all three films are based off the same book, they aren't based off each other.
I have seen all three and think that The Last Man on Earth with V Price is the best of them.
I Am Legend is good, but the last act goes way downhill. I am not that crazy about the way they change the meaning of the title.
The mimicking was done in Omega Man as Heston sits in a theater watching a Woodstock documentary.
This movie was spectacular, Will Smith out did himself. "Frank is that you??" Frank how did you get out here!
The movie is an instant classic for all time. anyone who disagrees needs to see this again and again. sometimes people dont know a classic, until years later but this is one of the best movies i have ever seen in my years. Good show.
I must say this is one of the worst films I have watched, like it if you may but I can't see how anybody could like this film.
Personally i think this is THE best film i have ever seen, i think the film really affects your feeling about life and really makes you think. Dont hesitate just go and see it because i think you will agree with me.
huh. just watched it. the subtext of "spiritual warfare" promoted these days by various american christian fundamentalist groups now propagated via mainstream sci-fi fx film. interesting. and way scary - the future possibility (and long history) of violent rapture-deluded and armed religious freaks hunting non-christians that is.
This is the WORST MOVIE EVER! it is a big blockbuster movie made for retarded people who dont follow plot or think for that matter. There are so many plot pitholes in this movie it's almost hysterical if it wasnt so sad.for example if he is immune how can there be a colony of survivors? it has killed all of humanity and yet there are a still living through all these years? if its been 3 years with no people how can he have running water and vegetables adn electricity? oh wait are there secret farmers and electricians and people operating the hydro systems? and in three short years there are animals running wild, animals like gazelles who have been trained for generations never to set foot in an urban setting..so its THAT wild, yet its still dosmesticated with running water and food. i can go scene by scene and find a problem.and the scene where he's crawling after getting stabbed, really really couldnt get up and walk- whats wrong with his other leg? but after two minutes he was able to get up..did he really have spend allthat time crawling? adn if the zombie dogs were able to come out, why not the zombie human beings?the sun was down. for people who think this movie is good, clearly you are not truly film goers..you probably liked i know who killed me and the scary movie series too, right? this is just a stupid movie the writers and producers rewrote, being to lazy to fill in the story properly. its a movie dumbed down for brainless americans. how pathetic are you if you like this movie. god.
also i loved how the producers have everyone fooled with the "deep underlying meaning" of the film... the parallels between technology and nature. medicine and life. give me a fucking break. if you think this blockbuster is thought provoking, you probably have not done much thinking in your life before





This is the worst movie that I have ever seen. There is no purpose, no subject. There is nothing just a group of people who scream and eat other people. Please do not pormote this movie