I Am Legend

I dare not guess how many times this story has been made, I only know I've already seen two other versions. Price's "The Last Man on Earth", and Heston's "The Omega Man". So, I knew the general story, but was eager for the new, modern presentation. I'm always a sucker for post-apocalyptic movies. Even if they look rather Hollywood.

And rather Hollywood it was. Not always in a bad way, and in some ways it was quite fresh. How so? Well, with the exception of some flash backs, the whole first 2/3s of the movie are about a man and his dog. Perhaps this is harkening back to another post-apocalyptic classic "A Boy and his Dog" though I'm guessing it was derived from the need for Will Smith to have something to talk to and joke around with. Plus the dog's a great character on his own and you come to care for him and his relationship with Will. This is where the film succeeds. The character's day to day life in the empty metropolis of Manhattan is funny, interesting, and sad all at once. Durring this part of the film is a scene scary enough to leave me squirming in my seat, and a scene of such sadness that...well...it was much rougher to watch than I was expecting from a big effects laden Christmas release.

However, it suddenly felt like the film was handed over to someone new for the last third of the film. A pretty interesting sub-plot (which is what I thought the film was going to hinge on) is suddenly dropped, a sudden religious theme is introduced, and we just veer into another direction. And then the final climax hinges on such obscure workings of God and convenient memories as to rival the end of M. Night's Signs (a movie who's first 9/10ths works and then falls apart at the very end).

So, that's how I feel. 2/3rds of a great film, with a lousy third act. Will Smith puts in a fine performance. Perhaps a bit big at times, but then he's in an extreme situation, who's to say it's big? The CGI is kind of crap...the monsters have a very scary and unsettling design, but the CGI waters down it's effectiveness. The New York landscapes are great, though.

All in all...I prefer the Vincent Price version. (I do hear, however, that there's an alternate ending awaiting the DVD release...I shall be awaiting that to make a final verdict...maybe he's a replicant the whole time)