I Am Legend Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

They're not Vampires or Zombies...

First off let's get some points straight. 'I Am Legend' is NOT based on Omega Man, 28 Days Later or any other 'zombie movie'. Instead it is an adaptation of an excellent little book from the 1950s called 'I Am Legend', written by Richard Matheson, which was in fact the inspiration for the above movies. Sadly the excellence of the book doesn't quite translate but this is still the best attempt so far to capture Matheson's story on screen.

Our 'hero' is Robert Neville, the last surviving man of an epidemic that swept across the United States and then the world, destroying the whole populace. But it didn't kill everyone as many were turned into mutant like creatures that stalk the night, eating any living thing they come across. During the day Robert must see to his own needs and try to cope with being alone for so long, with only a dog to keep him company. And this is where Will Smith excels, capturing the madness that is slowly taking over Robert's mind. From his conversations with mannequins in the DVD rental store to his accurate quotations from Shrek 2, Will Smith brilliantly plays a man on the verge of a breakdown. And mention must be made of the dog, possibly the best animal performance in film since Pirates Of the Caribbean's undead monkey.

Unfortunately despite the brilliant atmosphere of 'I Am Legend' (if you thought London looked creepy in '28 Days Later' wait until you see New York), combined with impressive performances from the lead, this isn't enough to entirely save a film from it's two major flaws: the ending and the 'mutants'. The zombies in 'Shaun Of The Dead' were more impressive than the creatures in this film. The director Francis Lawrence seems to have liked the CGI used on the city so much he decided to use it again for the mutants. Entirely. This makes them seem more cartoon than anything else and definitely decreases the fear factor substantially. Secondly is the ending which, without spoiling it, is nothing like the book and feels rushed rather than satisfying, though it does get the job done.

'I Am Legend' is really a 3 star film, but is lifted to 4 stars due to Will Smith, the dog, and the valiant attempt to deal with a complex psychological issue set in a terrifying situation. If you're after a scary horror film look elsewhere, but if you'd like to see an alternative treatment of the vampire/zombie genre (as the creatures are not referred to as either it's up to you which term to use), this is definitely worth a look.

this movie WILLbe a legend for its dissapointment

this movie was so hyped up and the trailers were great, but actully watching the movie? let me tell you- a BIG dissapointment. There's just 1 person in the movie for three quaters of it, which makes it a little boring- not to say the least, and okay the special effects were good but whats the point if the rest of the movie is so bland?not much action and quite depressing. people do not waste your money on going to see this movie , i predict it to be a career low for Will Smith.

Not quite a Legend more a Leg End.

Very poor remake of the Omega man.

But the special effects are quite good.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Excellent Movie, Jump Right Back in Your Seat!

Fantastic film. Saw it on the big screen and the suspense was unbelievable. Had to hold my mouth shut for shouting out. Will Smith is great as is his dog. The 'infected' are quite disturbing and the word 'hive' always freaks me out. The scene where they try to trap him is really on the edge of your seat stuff. I'm not old enough to have seen the Omega Man so this film was just fine by me without any comparisons except for possibly 28 Days Later. Would recommend to all except those with weak hearts and/or bowels.

You Are Boring

If you asked me to name the worst movie I have ever seen, (and Ive seen a lot) this one would be it, by a mile. I cannot understand why anyone would make this crap, or how anyone could enjoy it. If you like seeing animals hurt and lots of random scenes strung together this movie might be for you. But it was the most uncomfortable hour and a half of my life. Id give it minus 20 stars without hesitation.

Not worth the ticket price

My friend and I sat there at the end and could not figure out why this raked in more on it's first day at the box office in the states then LOTR? Maybe it was Will Smith as lead and seeing a deserted CGI New York? There were a couple of glimmers of gold, but overall we found it dull with poor script and editing. When you come out of a film thinking you, shock horror, could do better then their is something wrong.

I am just about awake

As most of this film is set manhattan with only Will Smith and his Dog it had a Cast away feeling,but unfortunately that is where the similarities end as Tom Hanks and his side kick Wilson the volly ball were far more entertaining and the acting was far far superior .Francis Lawrence heavy use of CGI in my opinion killed of what could have been a good movie.

Having read the scipt Mr Smith must have thought that this was going to be the action film of the year,but this is no independance day or I-robot for Will Smith fans.If this film had been directed by Alexander Witt,Joe Johnston

or Jerry Bruckheimer Smith may have been able to pull it off ,but he seemed miscast in the role of Robert Neville and unfortunately the CGI interaction did not help enhance the film in any way.

In the trailers this looks like a fast moving adult version of jumanji mixed with Resident Evil but the film,it limps along from scene to scene.

Maybe this is one of thoose films that should have gone straight to release on dvd.

yes you are legend

amazing film it doesnt get better than this. a high action thriller that cionfusses the mind a must see

amazing

awesome film , on edge of seat , cant wait to see it on dvd ... fantastic scene where the infected trap him ... amazing end of

I am Legend?? No you are not Will Smith!

This is utter rubbish... i have never heard a cinema full of people say the word rubbish at the end of a film so loudly and in such unison.!!!

The script writer needs a good kicking for producing this rubbish... The genius has thrown together the fact that Bob Marley wrote an album called legend, there's a guy who saves the world, the guy likes Bob Marley! That gives the film it's biggest twist and biggest effort at being remotely clever!!!

Here's my idea,

I am a guy who is walking through a desert and stumble upon an 'oasis', i tend to get up in the morinings, i like Oasis, my film is called What's the Story Morning Glory! Can you see what i've done there?? RUBBISH!!!