I Am Legend
film review
Phillip Holmes

Based off the 1954 novel by Richard Matheson, the movie I Am Legend, offers a glimpse into a world devastated by a cure for cancer gone wrong that has eliminated the earth’s population. The modern world in which we live in has ceased to exist and during the night the streets are filled with “plasma eating zombies.” 

In the movie, the Oscar-nominated, actor Will Smith plays Robert Neville, a brilliant scientist and U.S army officer who is the last man alive in New York City . As the sole survivor, Smith takes it upon himself to find a cure for the infected people. Through his journey to find a cure Smith takes part in many intense and explosive events that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seats. In one sequence, Smith is rendered unconscious, as he is enticed into trap, set by the mutants. As he sleeps, the day is soon ending and dusk is quickly approaching when he awakes he is horrified because he realizes he only has minutes to free himself from the trap before he his engulfed by darkness and mutants.

The movie is very emotionally appealing. One second you’ll be clinching your neighbor and the next you’ll be laughing hysterically. Smith’s character really helps to keep this movie focused. The friendship that is demonstrated in the movie between Smith and his best friend, a dog named “Samantha”, is truly what helps to keep this film grounded and separates it from the other “Zombie movies.” The relationship that is set up between the two is also very important in the film because it demonstrates how vital it is for Smith to cure the infected population so that civilization can reproduce and life can continue. In one part of the film Smith has an epiphany when he realizes what the cure is and in order for him to protect the cure he his has to sacrifice himself, at this moment in time Smith is transformed into the “legend”.

Although in some aspects of the film you might be reminded of the 1971 film Omega Man were Charles Heston plays a character in the same situation as Smith. Both the premises and plots behind the movies are very similar not only are both characters the last man alive, but they are both in major cities in America ; Heston in L.A. and Smith in New York City . However, Smith's entrancing performance truly captivates the heroism and hopefulness of the character (Robert Neville) and drastically sets these two films apart. 

Another interesting aspect of the film is the production. It is so dramatizing to see such a busy metropolis such as New York isolated. I Am Legend is definitely a must see before the year is out, Smith’s captivating performance and the timely plot will surely keep you entertained.

 

 

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