I AM LEGEND (English, 2007)
Genre: Sci fi/ Horror/ Thriller
Cast: Will Smith. Alice Braga
Director: Francis Lawrence
Writer: Marl Prostosevich and Akiva Goldsman based on book by Richard Matherson
Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
I AM LEGEND is based on the book by Richard Matherson. AFter eventually finding its way as two movies, Will Smith comes out with the third and the latest version. After providing inspiration to a whole lot of vampire genre, the Hollywood studiosthink it is time to revisit the book once again.
The plot takes us to a futuristic 2012 where we learn that a cure gone wrong has wiped out around 90 per cent of the human race. And the rest seems to have been infected but still living in a mutated form. However their reaction to sunlight forces them to stay in the dark.
However Neville has survived this, and seems to be the sole survivor in a quarantined Manhattan city. He hopes that there are other survivors like him out there , but until then he goes about his daily life with the company of his dog, Sam. Being an ex-military scientist, he spends his day mostly in his lab working on a possible cure for this outbreak.
However he is left shattered when he loses his only remaining companion, Sam. But soon he meets a couple of other survivors too. But by then the living dead group of zombies seems to have tracked them down, leaving them in grave danger!
Eventually Will Smith might only stand out legendary for the ability to carry a movie through for the mere fact of his screen presence. Having the whole run time for himself, it must be said that he has given a arresting performance that grips the viewers. The sequence where Will Smith holds his dog in his hands and realise that he has to let it go is one of the highlight sequences of the whole film.
However have to admit that inspite of that the German Shepherd did steal the show.
Visual effects could have been better as the vampires ended up a lot CGI going against the mood it was trying to create.Otherwise the sets and the cinematography does make up for some remarkable viewing by a great deal.
There was a certain pacing, and with just one main protagonist, it was to be expected .However just as the directer held our interests using the techniques of suspense and thrills, he decided that he needed to pack it up quick. From thereon the film takes a whole different pace, a whole different treatment and eventually ends up ruining whatever was created so far painstakingly.
This looks like a perfect example of how oppurtunity is wasted. A good performance, a mighty good budget, great studio backing...and alas...If you are looking for a mere zombie thrill, this film does that for most of its running time. And the end also turns out to an action flick of sorts.
However Neville has survived this, and seems to be the sole survivor in a quarantined Manhattan city. He hopes that there are other survivors like him out there , but until then he goes about his daily life with the company of his dog, Sam. Being an ex-military scientist, he spends his day mostly in his lab working on a possible cure for this outbreak.
However he is left shattered when he loses his only remaining companion, Sam. But soon he meets a couple of other survivors too. But by then the living dead group of zombies seems to have tracked them down, leaving them in grave danger!
Eventually Will Smith might only stand out legendary for the ability to carry a movie through for the mere fact of his screen presence. Having the whole run time for himself, it must be said that he has given a arresting performance that grips the viewers. The sequence where Will Smith holds his dog in his hands and realise that he has to let it go is one of the highlight sequences of the whole film.
However have to admit that inspite of that the German Shepherd did steal the show.
Visual effects could have been better as the vampires ended up a lot CGI going against the mood it was trying to create.Otherwise the sets and the cinematography does make up for some remarkable viewing by a great deal.
There was a certain pacing, and with just one main protagonist, it was to be expected .However just as the directer held our interests using the techniques of suspense and thrills, he decided that he needed to pack it up quick. From thereon the film takes a whole different pace, a whole different treatment and eventually ends up ruining whatever was created so far painstakingly.
This looks like a perfect example of how oppurtunity is wasted. A good performance, a mighty good budget, great studio backing...and alas...If you are looking for a mere zombie thrill, this film does that for most of its running time. And the end also turns out to an action flick of sorts.
Eventually the elements in this movie are not the kind that makes legends!
MoviemagiK rates it 3 outta 5