I AM LEGEND
PG-13
Will Smith
100 minutes
In 2009 scientists manipulate the measles virus to cure cancer. In clinical trials, thousands of people were vaccinated, which turns out to be disastrous. People develop symptoms resembling rabies. The disease spread quickly and most of the worlds' population die after catching the disease. The rest of the population was either immune or turned into living vampires. Will Smith stars as Robert Neville, an army Colonial and a scientist. Neville is the lone survivor of New York City. Much of his time is surviving and catching rabid people to test potential antidotes on them. He places manikins throughout the city, these inanimate objects are meant to alleviate his loneliness, similar to the role Wilson played in Castaway.
I AM LEGEND is a Christmas multiplex blockbuster. I came into the movie knowing that if I was too fastidious, it would be a dissapointment; it is afterall a popcorn flick. Nonetheless, many faux pas were present that were not so easy to overlook. Legend seems remarkably similar to films director Danny Boyle (28 DAYS LATER, CHILDERN OF MEN) has created, the story is based on a novel, so any resemblance is most likely coincidental. Plus, there is an adorable German Shepard tagging along with Neville. When a movie features a dog, it will either die tragically (TURNER AND HOOCH), or it plays basketball. It's not my place to spoil the movie for the audience, so I won't reveal the fate of the lovable pooch. Lastly, you may notice Smith's character cares a great deal about his appearance, wearing stylish clothes, Armani cologne (probably), while driving a nice, polished Ford Mustang GT. Vanity to this extent seems futile once you take away people from the situation; he was alone for three years.
Final Verdict: 65 out of 100 