Review :: I am Legend

In many ways this film could be described as a version of Noah and the Ark but instead of a flood, there is a virus bringing humanity to the brink of extinction.

When a cure for cancer goes terribly wrong, most of humanity is wiped out only to leave the immune wanders of the day or the infected sick vampirish creatures of the night. "I Am Legend" throws us headlong into the loneliness and determination of Robert Neville (Will Smith) as he tries to maintain his sanity in a desolate New York City.

The film works brilliantly on many levels. You can almost tangibly feel the tense loneliness of Neville as he roams the streets with his faithful dog, Sam. The cinematography and scant score bring the apocalyptic world to life. The outlook looks grim and hopeless as he searches for the cure...much like the world of Frank Darabont's "The Mist". Gone are the days of good versus evil where a clear strength of good triumphs, and here to stay are the murky waters of a true battle between seemingly equal powers.

Smith's performance is also dynamic and strong. His depiction of Neville's solitary life leaves us deeply symphatheic to his plight and palpably feeling his teeter between a daily routine and madness.

But the film also left me short in many regards. There was a whole sub-plot seemingly crucial to the overall storyline left completely unexplored. For example, why did the leader of the creatures risk himself in the light when Neville captures a woman creature? His analysis seems lacking and myopic especially in light of what happens to him on the road just a day or two later. Why did this leader of the creatures relentlessly pursue Neville to the point of almost killing himself? Why did other creatures follow his orders if they were "de-evolving" into complete chaos? This storyline would have added a dynamic layer to the story and deeply improved an anemic second half.

Overall I enjoyed the film but wish the second half and the end wouldn't have taken such a conservative path. Smith's performance deserves a better payoff. I think Christianity Today nailed it in their review when they said,

"The problem isn't really that the second half of the movie switches from atmospheric to action focused. Instead, the plot becomes action-based instead of the action being plot-based. Smith brings such heart to the movie, but the second half of his fight against the Darkseekers is just impersonal and, well, fake."

So sit back and jump with fear a few times at something close to being great but falling short...