A man and his dog
It is the year 2009, and mankind, specifically Dr Alice Krippin (Emma Thompson) has discovered the cure for cancer. The treatment involves inserting a genetically-engineered virus to combat the cancer cells. Alas, the virus began to mutate, and its hosts started to develop rabies-like symptoms. When the virus began to spread into the air, the US government permanently sealed off the entire New York City (source of the virus’ infection) and its inhabitants. Fast forward three years on, New York has become a desolated city overtaken by weeds and wildlife, save for the presence of sole survivor Robert Neville (Will Smith) and his German Shepherd, Sam (Abby). Naturally immune to the virus, Neville and his companion scavenges for food and supplies by day, but hurries back to his fortified home before dusk, for some horrifying things lurk in the dark.
As much as Constantine was laden with terrible CG, director Francis Lawrence was also very good with the subtler scenes. For example, he could have added some snazzy lighting effects during the cat part, but chose to depict inter-dimension travel with a pan of water and a steaming Keanu Reeves instead. I don’t know if that was from the original comic book, but it sure looks like it could have been a real-life cult ritual. It helped the movie retained some credence, of which much was already eroded by its terribly artificial CG scenes. Going into I Am Legend, I crossed my fingers that Lawrence would indulge more on his subtler side this time around, and I’m glad to say that my prayer was answered.
People looking for a sun-drenched, Michael Bay type of movie, be warned. Will Smith does not go around spouting black vernacular and capping bad guys with a gun in each hand while the camera swirls around his sweaty, ripped body. It is a pretty serious and realistic treatment of a famous science fiction story, but that only makes it more gripping and intense. No dizzying CG shots, but traditional and hand-held camera work that also let you see and understand what’s going on. Tensions in certain sequences were actually amplified rather than diffused by the absence of a musical score.
The first portion of the movie shows how the lone denizen of New York City lives out his daily life in this nightmarish situation, Cast Away style, and the second bit inevitably resolves to some degree the wider epidemic issue. Admittedly, the latter is the weaker part of the movie, but the really strong beginning and middle makes you forgive the contrived ending. Some critics lambasted I Am Legend for not adhering enough to the book. I lambasted The Golden Compass for adhering too much to the book. Nobody is ever satisfied.
Critics were also nitpicking on Legend’s dodgy CG creatures. Frankly, computer graphics have gone a long way since The Mummy (1999), and I thought they blended pretty well with the live action surroundings. Maybe it’s the animation, but the Blade 2 Reaper-like creatures were depicted in such a freaky manner (plus Will Smith and even the dog were so good in their parts) that I was too engrossed to notice or care.
Legend is also a pretty great movie about dogs. It made me want to keep a German Shepherd in case there’s an apocalypse coming. But first I would seriously train it not to wander into dark buildings, unlike the idiot Neville who obviously didn’t. - BMF
Ten great moments from I Am Legend (warning - spoilers!)
Old York: Getting to see an awesomely realised post-apocalyptic New York is already worth the price of admission.
Mistaken as a Big Willy scene: Will Smith cuts a swath through the city in a flashy Mustang, but there’s a more legitimate reason for driving the sporty vehicle than I initially imagined.
Man vs. Nature: Neville backs off when a pride of lions snatched his prey. Was Neville being generous, or just didn’t dare to take the risk?
Cast Away moments: Fascinating minutiae of the last man on Earth’s daily routine, including clearing buildings for supplies, “renting” movies, hitting golf balls from the deck of a carrier, and waiting for survivors at the pier every noon.
Going into the dark side: Though armed with a hefty sniper rifle, Neville still sweats and shivers with absolute fear as he wanders into a dank, pitch dark building, looking for his dumb and reckless dog.
Blair Witch moment: Neville stumbles upon a bunch of the infected, huddled together with their backs towards him.
Human experimentation: Another freaky moment with a heavy-breathing female Infected lying sedated on a lab slab.
Man trap: Did Neville finally lose it, falling for his own trap, or are the Infected showing signs of intelligence?
Dog day afternoon: Everybody is either dead or an Infected in Neville’s world, but it’s only when the dog dies that we truly feel the bleakness and futility of Neville’s situation.
Last man standing: Inevitable but incredibly tense showdown between Neville and the Infected at his home.
Spoiler-free credits: Directed by Francis Lawrence (Constantine) and written by Mark Protosevich (Poseidon, The Cell) and Akiva Goldsman (The Da Vinci Code). Stars Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith, Darrell Foster, and Emma Thompson. Based on the novel by Richard Matheson. |
