It’s almost strange watching New York City become a ghost town considering the populace that resides within the heart of Manhattan, but I Am Legend extols on the fact that, despite our supposed superiority, we will eventually be our own downfall; mankind is its own worst enemy. Even Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, understands the situation as he says, “God didn't do this. We did!”

I Am Legend, adapted from the 1954 novel of the same name by author Richard Matheson, is about Robert Neville, the last man alive who survived a deadly outbreak that eliminated all traces of humankind in 2009. Accompanied by his dog Samantha, Neville is forced to survive by his ingenuity and wit against a horde of mutated humans that were infected by a man-made virus. These nocturnal mutants serve as a purpose for Neville who believes he can still find a cure, even three years after the plague.

The film wastes no time in setting the tone and delves right into the loneliness that Neville is experiencing. It’s amazing that he hasn’t gone insane, or maybe he has to a degree and just doesn’t really want to acknowledge it. His dog, Samantha, serves as his companion, though talking to the dog isn’t a far stretch at all. But talking to mannequins? As strange as it may seem, this is Neville’s way of reminding himself of what human interaction was once like, and what it can be again if he finds a cure.

Will Smith has come a long way since his Fresh Prince days. I’m impressed by his acting chops in this movie as he makes a very convincing case of a desperate man trying to not only find a cure to save humankind, but to preserve his own sanity.

Director Francis Lawrence really hits the right note in setting the tone for this film. The mutants are a scary lot and he really makes the most of the PG-13 rating. In fact, it is well-deserved and will definitely cause some nightmares for younger children. But the thing that makes it even more chilling is the absence of music. The audience is put on edge as Neville goes about his daily routine. It makes sense, too. I don’t hear crescendos in the background depicting my life. Why should Neville be any different?

The special effects are done quite well, especially when it comes to rendering an empty New York City. To me, that was the most impressive part of the CGI exercise. The mutants, however, didn’t hit the right note with me. I was reminded of Ang Lee’s version of The Hulk and half expected one of the mutants to turn green. They definitely got the anger and fury part down pat, though.

I’m sure comic book fans caught a nice Easter egg of a nice billboard depicting the on-again/off-again Batman vs. Superman movie. I don’t know if that will actually become a reality but that was just cruel to tease people like that.

But this movie is not without its faults, and it mostly comes in the third act. I actually was hoping that there wouldn’t be any other human interaction involved, other that the events depicted through flashback sequences. I understand that it was bound to happen that survivors would appear, but I really wanted to see how things would have progressed if Neville had to struggle through this ordeal on his own. Would he have been able to find the strength to carry on? And the most fundamental question is never really answered: why is he looking for a cure if he believes no one else has survived?

I Am Legend displays a horrific look at mankind’s smugness and arrogant place in the proper order of things. I’ve always believed that human beings are the oddity in this grand scheme of things as we try to conform the world to our liking instead of living alongside it in peace. Will Smith should be commended for his performance but I think the city of New York should be praised even more. After all, when was the last time she was ever silent like that? Now that’s an acting job if I ever saw one.



Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older