I Am Legend

Grade: B+

In the year 2009 we have found a cure for cancer. Side effects include mild headache, drowsiness, bloody nose, mutation of genes causing increased aggression and vulnerability to sunlight... Oh, and a desire for human flesh.

Will Smith stars as Scientist/Lieutenant Colonel Robert Neville- the sole survivor in New York City in the thriller of the season. Three years after a cure for cancer was discovered. The cure quickly became a virus turning normal humans into zombie/vampiric like creatures. With his only companion a German Shepherd named Sam, Neville survives day to day life in NYC thanks to a strict schedule, while also finding time to continue testing for a cure to the VK virus on rats in the laboratory he built in his basement, to help save humanity.

Through a series of flashbacks/dream sequences it is revealed actions taken by the US government to try and keep the virus contained. The virus, originally thought to be only able to be caught by physical contact quickly mutates and becomes airborne. It is later revealed that less than 1% of the entire human race would be immune to the virus.

In several ways to try and keep his sanity Neville goes out and does daily routines like going out to the local video rental store. Set up with fully dressed mannequins for him to have conversations with and exchange looks. Neville also keeps up with his daily news watching old tapes from the local TV station and reading old papers.

"I Am Legend" is a heart-pounding experience. In large thanks to the sound to enhance the loneliness and desperation of Neville's situation really is, right up to the hand-held camera shots that bring you up right to Neville's shoulder so that the audience can experience the fear right along with him. The most intense moment of the film editing that seems comes when Neville is hunting down a deer and the deer runs into an abandoned building, while ending his pursuit, not daring to go into the dark where the NW dwell, his dog Sam continues the chase. Neville goes in after his companion and the entire scene is without music and has little noise. All you hear is Neville's panting from fright and call for "Sam!" Just as Neville is about to give up his quest to find Sam he comes into a room with several NW huddled, to not draw attention to himself Neville quickly pulls his hand over the flashlight and runs for his life.


Smith's acting in this almost-solo acting project is superb. He portrays his fears and his breakdowns with incredible emotion. The special effects are pretty well done. From this writers perspective the Night Walkers could have easily been actual human actors in makeup, but in this generation of movie making CGI is the way to go.