Review - I Am Legend

Director: Francis Lawrence

Made In: USA

Released: 2007

The story was written by Richard Matheson, originally a Sci-fi horror novel where the story revolved around Robert Neville, who spends his days killing vampires, hanging garlic and boarding up his house. Even though he has been on his own for years, he eventually meets a girl Ruth, who falls for Robert, even though he initially captured her thinking she was infected. The book, i am told, has more of a focus on the tragic existence of Robert, sorrunded by vampires and the infected, and his completely solitary life.


The 2007 movie, directed by Francis Lawrence, has a different focus. Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a colonel in the US Army and also a scientist. At some point not so long ago, the scientists of the time had developed what they thought was the cure for cancer - eventually it mutated into a horrible virus that eventually wiped out the majority of humanity, although in the movie we only see the effect on New York city. The disease takes over both the human race and animals, turning them into these weird zombie-like creatures, supposedly "vampires", who are unable to step out into the sun, but run crazy at night. The creatures seem more like zombies than vampires, even though the original book describes the creatures as traditional vampires (scared by garlic etc) It is alluded that Will Smith is the only survivor and is so only because he is immune to the disease. He lives a solitary but orderly life in the abandoned city of New York, with only his dog Sam supplying any form of company. The friendship and bond between the two gives the story agreat deal of emotion and creates a real sense of sympathy for Robert when he eventually loses his only friend.

He has power, water, petrol, access to shops, including a video store that he visits regularly and has one-sided conversations with dummies that he has placed in the store. He spends his days hunting the wild-life that has crept into the streets, deer, lions etc. He has barricaded his house so has lived relatively well protected from the horrors of the night - and because he was involved in developing the original cancer vaccine, he feels it his responsibility to remain at "ground-zero" (New York) until he has developed a cure. He uses his own blood to experiment on infected rats and animals, recording his progress with precise detail on highly advertised Mac equipment, who seem to be the sponsors of the apocalypse.

The movie feels similar to 28 days later, but very american big-budget. However, the CGI is so shitty, making the monstors seem so unrealistic that it turns into a bit of a joke. Will Smith does agreat job even though in some scenes it seems as if he is taking the piss out of his situation. However, you have to remember that he has spent the last three years on his own.

I've always found the idea of the "solitary man" intreaguing and it seems as though Robert Neville thrived in his solidarity, unlike Jim from 28 days later who seemed to walk around aimlessly, but I suppose Robert was a military man and knows why the earth is empty, and Jim was just a punk with no idea.

Unlike the book, the main character in the 2007 movie is given a more heroic rather than tragic character, and in the end everything seems to be wrapped up too nicely. (even though there is a surprise) Although the idea of the world being wiped out by a disease is fairly believeable, the rest of the movie is just so unrealistic that the end seems to fit with the rest of the story.

All round, quite a good and entertaining movie, Will Smith does a good job, and manages to portray what he would really be like in such a situation. Lots of sudden scares and edge of your seat suspense. Definately worth a look.

3.5/5

The Corpse Corps