It Ain't Fun Gettin' Jiggy Wi' It Alone, eh, Mr. Smith?

Movie Review

I Am Legend

Directed by Francis Lawrence

Alright, this is what the story's all about: a black man being chased around by a pack of Neo Nazis. Okay, okay, I was just kidding. After all, that's what the 'monsters' all look like: pale, bald, with manic look in their eyes. Add to that the fact that Robert Neville (Will Smith) is an african-american.

Very well, let's get to the proper introduction of the story. It was 2012 and humankind has been afflicted with a disease caused by a virus that was originally created for the purpose of curing cancer. People who are infected by this once hailed virus become aggressive, blood thirsty monster who could not survive the daylight. Dr. Robert Neville, a military doctor, was one (if not the only) person that survived the affliction due to him being immune to the virus. Accompanied only by a german shepherd named Sam, Neville hunts for food during the day and continues his research in trying to find the cure to the virus. When the night falls, he seeks the comfort and safety of his house, carefully and methodically erasing any trails he left behind so that the 'dark seekers' would not be able to follow him home.

Living alone with only a dog as a companion can take a heavy toll on human psyche, and this is one of the aspect of the story that the movie is trying to put forth. I approach this aspect of the movie with mixed feelings. It must be noted that the movie is based on the book by the same title written by one Richard Matheson (Stephen King once said I Am Legend is one of his many inspirations). However, by the time I write this review I have just finished reading it. Regardless, I will write the review under the guise that I have no knowledge whatsoever about the book's story. Moving on, as I've said before, I have mixed feelings about Smith's portrayal of a man who is losing his mind slowly due to a severe lack of human interaction. At some point, it is believable. Yet at some parts during the course of the movie, his performance is not convincing, or maybe even slightly off the mark.

The bright side is, convincing or no, this is Will Smith, and his performance has always been entertaining. His on-screen persona always has a certain appeal. Moreover, this is the kind of movie that was made to entertain and not to bore. In this regard, it delivers successfully. After all, a blockbuster movie is meant to sell and make profit, and if it becomes too serious people in general will probably stay away from it. Aside from the actor's performance, the plot suffered the same problem. In trying not to give too much away, let's just say that at times, it is believable and yet at some points it is not convincing.

Regardless of such short comings, the plot, the storyline, the special effects (isn't it fun driving like a mad man in an empty New York City, a place that is known for its unbearable traffic), all worked wonderfully in delivering Entertainment (yes, it's Entertainment, with capital 'E'). It's Hollywood all the way through, baby.

Go watch this movie and Entertain yourself. You won't be disappointed, as long as you have not read the book yet. For those who have, I can only say to approach this movie looking at it as a movie that happens to have the same title as the book, the same main character's name, the same theme, but a completely different storyline and an ending that is almost 180 degree different. Loosen up a bit and you will enjoy this movie. I did.

p. s. I will be making a review about the book later on and there's where the fun begins. For those who haven't seen the movie don't read the book's review because I am going to spoil EVERYTHING. HUAHAHAHAHA