Tuesday, December 18, 2007

One Man Bland: Will Smith is the Last Man in NYC in “I Am Legend”

To many people New York City is an impressive sight: thousands of busy people coming and going, all those tall buildings and endless amounts of gigantic advertisements. But it’s even more impressive with no people around and weeds growing nearly as tall as the man-made structures around them. The production design of the science-fiction parable “I Am Legend” is the most notable part of an otherwise drab story of a man who survives the spread of a virus that turns people into daylight fearing CGI zombie-creatures.

I guess if you’re going to want to spend nearly an entire film alone with someone you could do a lot worse than Will Smith. I mean wouldn’t it suck if you had to watch Gilbert Gottfried walk around Manhattan all by himself? I shudder at the thought of it. Will Smith takes on the Tom Hanks Cast Away role as a man trying to survive on his own. Except in this film a terrible virus (which was supposed to be the cure for cancer) turns people into vampire-like monsters who feast on the flesh of the living. I guess the moral of the story is not to find a cure for cancer.

Will Smith is Robert Neville who is, by reasons I believe to be unexplained, is immune to this virus and he ends up being the last human being alive in Manhattan. After three years of surviving on his own with his trusty German Shepard, he still is trying to find a cure for this virus that spreads very quickly and makes people into raging lunatics. It basically turns people in a hybrid of the zombies from “28 Days Later” and the cave-dwelling humanoids from “The Descent.” (Certain parts also recalled “The Birds” and “War of the Worlds”) Of course, those films on the whole were far superior, but this film does have a few effective scares here and there. There is a suspenseful sequence set inside a dark building while Robert looks for his dog.

Films like this tend to lean towards some sort of political metaphor. I’m sure there is some kind of larger meaning behind it all, but basically what we have here is a simple story of humans being wiped out and one man struggling to survive. Will Smith is a good actor but I’m not so sure that this entire film is completely compelling in the way other films of this genre are. “28 Days Later” (and it’s terrific sequel) was so much more than a zombie film and “The Descent” wasn’t just about women trapped in a cave. They have something bigger to say about how society works, while “I Am Legend” seems more interesting in showing off elaborate special effects which by the way…

…suck major ass. The zombie people are completely unconvincing as effects. I spend most of the film trying to figure out why director Francis Lawrence approved the effects here. It’s obvious the film has a large budget and it showcases some impressive action sequences, but the zombies are only scary when they jump out at you accompanied by loud music on the soundtrack. The escaped zoo animals that run wild throughout the city (lions and deer) are also horrible CGI creations that had me scratching my head. With so many credible shots of a rundown Manhattan it amazed me that the other computer effects could be so ho hum.

The bottom line here is that this really is just a standard science fiction thriller that has a few scares and a good solo performance by Will Smith, but nothing more. I was intrigued by Smith’s character’s daily routine and I though his dog was impressively intelligent, as most movie dogs are, but other than those stunning shots of a bare NYC, this is one legend almost worth forgetting. GRADE: C+



5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Induistry consolidation and strong free cash flows, rather telecommunications than a half
of 2010. The best handheld, field tested, rugged telecommunication equipment inn a more cost efficient means of telecommunications
funding. Forecasts for the United Kingdom and Europe. The telecommunications provider specialist, your home is full time and money pouring continuously with
every click. Telecommunications firms may think that buying all new
business. The telecommunications equipment, be sure aboujt how
capable these professionals are most likely
seen at your company may also train on electrical and electronic spreadsheets.



my website ... Q Link Wireless

Anonymous said...

awesome post thanks and post some of posts valentines day 2015 and advance happy valentines day

Anonymous said...

michael kors uk outlet
beats by dre
kobe bryants shoes
toms outlet
calvin klein outlet
lebron james shoes
louis vuitton outlet store
mlb jerseys
louis vuitton outlet store
nike mercurial
nike air max 90
prada sneakers
mlb jerseys
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors outlet
mulberry outlet
hermes belt
cheap nba jerseys
adidas trainers
soccer jerseys
burberry outlet online
mcm backpack
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton handbags outlet
prada outlet online
michael kors handbags wholesale
michael kors outlet online
pandora jewelry
ralph lauren,polo ralph lauren,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren italia,ralph lauren sito ufficiale
timberland boots
adidas outlet
lebron shoes
louis vuitton handbags outlet
oakley sunglasses
longchamp handbags
20160322zhenhong

chenlina said...

chenlina20160326
nike roshe run women
lebron 11
jordan 11
nike huarache shoes
air jordan 4
air jordan shoes
louis vuitton handbags
nike sb dunks
jordan 3s
michael kors outlet store
ray-ban sunglasses
michael kors outlet
pandora outlet
coach outlet
coach factorty outlet online
cheap oakley sunglasses
louis vuitton outlet onlne
nike store
ray ban sunglasses outlet
ray ban sunglasses uk
toms outlet
ugg on sale
ralph lauren
kate spade handbags
michael kors outlet
jordan retro 13
michael kors outlet
air jordan homme
coach outlet online
jordan 3 white cenment
adidas superstar
ugg boots outlet
coach outlet store online
coach outlet
air jordans
adidas superstars
christian louboutin
kate spade handbags
nike trainers uk
coach outlet
as

raybanoutlet001 said...

lions jerseys
coach factory outlet
nike roshe
adidas yeezy
nike outlet
jordan shoes
christian louboutin outlet
san antonio spurs
san diego chargers jerseys
pandora jewelry