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Starring
Will Smith
Directed by
Francis Lawrence
Heith's Grade:
CRated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence
a review by Heith Carnahan
The Rundown
The world celebrates as a cure for cancer is finally announced. It comes in the form of a virus that is genetically retrofitted to attack only cancerous cells, and it has eliminated cancer in over ten thousand patients and counting. But before long, something goes terribly wrong; the virus meant to save mankind from a plague that has haunted us for ages has mutated into something... else, and the symptoms it manifests are reminiscient of rabies, turning its victims into aggressive, carnivorous maniacs with no apparent human thought process.
Lt. Col. Robert Neville (Will Smith) is on the case immediately when it becomes clear the virus has mutated; he has already made international headlines for his strides in treating infectious diseases. But before he has time to complete his research, the virus spreads to such proportions that military quarantines can no longer contain the epidemic, and society as a whole begins to break down. Millions become infected, attacking and feeding on the remaining population, and within a few months' time, Neville is apparently the only remaining survivor in New York City. He spends his days scavenging the city for what he can find, his German shephard Sam in tow, his recorded message broadcasting 24 hours a day in the hopes that there are other survivors out there.
Less than the sum of its parts
"It didn't follow the book" usually doesn't resonate with most moviegoers, so I'll say it once and leave it at that: anyone looking for a faithful adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 thriller might as well not even try, because this version of I Am Legend bears almost no resemblance at all.
So having said that, here's the good and the bad. Will Smith is always reliable, and the film does have some very interesting aspects: New York City as a blank slate, everything around him falling into a state of disrepair. Animals now inhabit the Big Apple and run freely through the streets, serving as a source of food for Neville and other, more ferocious animals that have made the city -- instead of the city zoo -- their new home. Neville has also fitted his house with massive steel doors at every possible point of entry to keep out any zombie-vampire types that might come calling. His habit of spraying vinegar on his front steps every time he returns is never explained but left to the audience to deduce from their knowledge of the way animals hunt and track prey.
Unfortunately, where the film falters is in its stark inability to form a cohesive storyline with a first, second, and third act. Fully two-thirds of the film is spent as an "establishing shot," if you will, showcasing his day-to-day activities, the dangers he faces, and the beginnings of his inevitable mental and emotional breakdown. While this isn't uninteresting, an audience can always tell when it's not being taken from point A to point B, and that's exactly the case here. The film is more a sequence of related events than a storyline, and that's why it's so difficult to put one's finger on what exactly this movie is about.
The infected former humans Neville is up against are never actually given a name, but the CGI involved leaves quite a bit to be desired, as it usually does. The film also can't seem to settle on its own mythology; we're told that these creatures possess no intelligence or social ability, but we're shown at least one that seems to serve as a leader, keeps (infected) dogs as pets, and has a remarkable ability to learn from what Neville throws at him.
Indeed, a "good" movie should amount to more than the sum of its parts. This one doesn't; in fact, it amounts to less. A movie reviewer could go in circles with I Am Legend -- you'll never be bored, but that doesn't mean it's a good movie. The premise is very solid, but the execution is practically nonexistent.
The Bottom Line
It'll be a good rental, but nothing more. Frankly, I'm surprised the reviews have been as positive as they have. This weekend's box office numbers certainly don't reflect the overall quality of what's presented on-screen.
-- Heith Carnahan, heith @ movie-popcorn.com