Review of "I Am Legend"

See it? Yes (especially if you like dogs).

My instincts told me not to go see I Am Legend. I'm skeptical of movies where big beautiful Hollywood actors play scientists (Elisabeth Shue in The Saint, Bridget Moynahan in I, Robot, etc.). But I had a free evening, and I'm a total sucker for zombie flicks, so I decided to take a chance.

I'm glad I did. I Am Legend turned out to be a very good movie. I especially appreciated the pace. I was worried during the very first scene when Robert Neville (Will Smith) was hunting caribou from a red Mustang Shelby GT in New York City at insanely high speeds, however the movie then really slowed down, really took its time, and really did a great job of exploring what it might be like being the last person in the world. That's primarily what I wanted out of I Am Legend. Sure, zombies, weapons, and gore are all cool, but what's far more interesting is seeing how Neville learns to adapt to isolation, and maintain as much normalcy, routine, and civility as possible.

There are several scenes where I Am Legend tries to explore the madness of isolation which I felt were a little forced, and several times when Neville is compelled to utter to himself or dictate to his computer things that he probably wouldn't have if not for the fact that he was trying to clue the audience in on something. But the flashback scenes were very well integrated (something difficult to pull off), and overall the movie was good enough that it was very easy to overlook the few questionable scenes. I also have to mention that post-apocalyptic New York was extremely well portrayed.

Will Smith was good in I Am Legend, but his German shepherd, Sam (played by canine actors Abby and Kona), absolutely stole the show. These dogs can act circles around most of the Hollywood A-list, and certainly drew far more of a reaction from the audience than any human actors I've seen recently. In fact, this movie may be to German shepherd breeders what Top Gun was to Air Force recruiters. Funny how you can kill people onscreen by the dozens, hundreds, or in this case, even by the billions, but put a single dog in harm's way, and the audience gasps with horror.

I Am Legend was a great balance between action, gore, special effects, and deliberate exploration of solitude with an ending that I thought was both tidy and unexpected.

Comments

[George Bridgeman]

Personally, I was really loving the film until the last twenty minutes or so; the time it took to wrap up the entire film. I wasn't keen on the ending because of how quickly it all came about and the lack of closure (I know some people like having loose ends, personally I don't). I would have liked to have seen more back-story about how the infestation came about as well. I agree that Sam was amazing though. It's incredible how trainers can get the dogs to act so well. She brought even more emotion out in the film.

I have the book sitting on my reading pile. It'll get read on the bus/tube once I've finished off The Colour of Magic. Apparently, the film is so massively different from the book that everyone I've spoken to who read the book before watching the film absolutely hated the 'modern adaptation' on the silver screen. The book is cheap as it's only 150 pages or so; pick up a copy next time you're wandering round a bookstore or putting in an order on Amazon.

Glad you enjoyed the film though. I went to see it on Boxing Day so it gave my brother and I a chance to get away from the rest of the family for a few hours :)

George.

[eric dolecki]

I agree with you. The slow pacing was completely fresh and welcome. Loved the movie too. And I don't like zombie movies that much.