I am Legend was the 2007; sci- fi horror adapted from the 1954 Francis Lawrence, and a remake of the classic The Omega Man. The film starred Will Smith, in what was to be his first horror film. Opening in late 2007, the film grossed well over $500 million worldwide. Having heard mixed reactions to the film I figured I had to watch it for myself to see what all the fuss was about, having not see the Omega Man, I am Legend was a totally new film for me, I didn't no what to expect and didn't no the general backdrop of the film. Having seen the film I understand why people had such mix reactions about the film, however I thought it was one of the most decent horror films to come out for a while, and hopefully by the end of this review you will understand why.
Plot:
A deadly bacterial virus once used to treat the incurable cancer has now spread across most of America. The Virus wipes out most of America, whilst others simply flee, and we see how Robert Neville (Will Smith), a U.S. Army virologist is left as the only healthy survivor in New York City, and perhaps the whole world. The film starts with a flashback, almost showing us how the virus was created, what it was created for and how suddenly the virus mutates into
an infectious disease. Millions of people were infected with the disease and many more died from being chased by the infected. Now Robert Neville, the only human survivor must live out a life of isolation in New York City, with only his dog for company. His everyday life is portrayed, what he does, what he eats, where he goes and so on. His quest to find human survivors in New York is present throughout the whole film. Neville is constantly looking for a cure for this disease, his own genes which prevent him from ever being infected has lead him through a quest of one day returning mankind into a normal state. Is Neville really the last man in New York, or on Earth?
The talented Will Smith plays the lead character of Robert Neville the US Army Virologist who is left as the last living human in New York City. His character goes through many stages in the film and as audiences we see the gradual evolution of such character. Smith was brilliant in this film; the isolation and paranoia his character went through, really made this film stand out. He really portrayed what most people would feel, imagine actually being the last person on earth, what would you do, who would you talk to, would you have hope of their still being life out there. His isolation drives him deeper into a state of paranoia, not knowing what it real and what it not, this is evident from the scene with the manikin's. Smith only has a relationship with one thing, his dog, the only thing that keeps him semi sane, it becomes his best friend, and it gives him hope. I always thought it was harsh with critics slating the film, yet not applauding Smiths role in the film. He was funny, believable and cold. Smith's character always portrayed one thing, the feeling of "Hope". Unlike most Hollywood clichés Smith wasn't the all guns blazing action hero like that of Independence Day. Sure he has huge muscles, a big gun, and a six pack, but his character genuinely is scared throughout the film. The scenes at the beginning of the film when he hides in the bath tub with his dog really show a human perspective, it's not like other horror films were the big bulging bicep man just saves the day, with no single scared bones in his body.
Special Effects:
Unlike most zombie type movies that focus more on the monsters and blood, I am Legend used a lot of effective CGI effects to really give us an emphasis of how isolated New York City has become, what it looks like if humans were not their too look after it. The opening scene with Smith chasing a dear for supper, really showed what it might have looked like during with primal time. Ill never forget the scene, with Smith walking through Times Square, with wheat and sweet corn growing on the streets. The wild animals hurdling through the streets being chases by both smith and the wild lions, who must have escaped from the zoo. Even the zombies looked different; they still seemed to have a human presence, unlike other films where they appear to just have blood all over their face, with bite marks all around their body.
My view of the film:
The film for me was brilliant; I've heard mixed reactions about the film, some like and some don't, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles. I personally loved the film, because it wasn't a typical zombie film. I'm so sick and tired of these zombie films that all have the same plot of the world being consumed by a human flesh eating virus. I am legend although having some of that presence, we never actually see any humans being bitten or infected, and we never see any blood and gore or a person's head being eaten right off. This films main premise although centring around zombies was more about the effect of isolation. How would one cope with theoretically being the last person on earth, having to constantly look up to a dog for company. The film has and edge to it in the sense that we never really any if Robert is alone, are their more survivors, or is this it. For those who say they didn't like the ending, I say it really makes Roberts character more surreal, and its good because its not a soppy, love dove ending. If you haven't seen this film, then I would recommend it, it has something for everyone.
4.5/ 5 stars
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Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Willow Smith, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Charlie Tahan, Salli Richardson, Alice Braga
You make this sound like the first 'Zombie' film i MIGHT be willing to watch ~ on the whole, l prefer to read my Sci-Fi ~ but human emotion, personality development, and characterisation and change are all things that 'push my buttons' ~
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