I Am Legend (Francis Lawrence, 2007)

[Grimfarrow]

My answers are as ambiguous as my feeling toward the film.

[domino harvey]

The AP review said

Spoiler

Smith finds a new love interest, a new child figure, and solves the plague by the movie's end

Yeah, audiences won't know what to do

[inri222]

Not so good review

Contains spoilers

[bjeggert82]

I saw it last night at the midnight show (really annoying screening by the way, filled with talking high-schoolers).

Now, I don't like Will Smith usually and Francis Lawrence didn't impress me with Constantine, but I really enjoyed this movie. It has a big feel like a blockbuster, but doesn't resort to too many blockbuster cliches. Smith was great. The dumbest part of the movie was the vampire-zombies, who are really only there to build up Smith's role. I read that Lawrence originally had actors in makeup as the zombie-vampires, but decided against it... bad idea.

There're some clear problems with the movie, notably the ending. But for a movie where you're supposed to shut your brain down and enjoy, I enjoyed a lot.

I guess wasn't expecting much, so I was pleasantly surprised. Though, if you're a devotee to the book, you might have a problem or two with the execution. Here is my full review.

[DrewReiber]

The ending... *spoilers ahead*

Spoiler

shows that Akiva Goldsman's best idea was to completely rip off Signs. Yes, M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs". The flashback structure and all the "god is responsible" nonsense, even the final revelation about god's plan while the monster is attacking is all there. If you couldn't pick up on this by the time you hear the audio repeat of his family's final words, then you simply don't pay attention when watching movies.

Oh, and there are at *LEAST* two ads for upcoming Akiva Goldsman projects, that have yet to get the greenlight, in this film.

A friend of mine who worked for one of the companies responsible for this mess dragged me to this movie, though I suppose I must take responsibility for saying yes. It's genuinely one of the dumbest and insulting movies I've seen in a long time. It's far more just a tremendously watered-down and confused retread of Omega Man than any kind of adaptation of I Am Legend. In fact, the attempt to even explain why the movie has the title of the book serves as one of the more hilariously sloppy moments.

[dx23]

This film is dark. Very dark. Like a horror film crossed with Cast Away. Except Wilson is a dog.

My exact same thought of the film. Still, I enjoyed it as a good popcorn flick.

[Marcel Gioberti]

I generally don't indulge in comparing books and films, because I think it's purely apples and oranges.......HOWEVER, and that's an enormous however, there is absolutely nothing from the book that has any value in the film. It shouldn't be called I Am Legend.

Literally every intelligent thing about Matheson's book was discarded, dumbed down, Hollywooded and sanitized to a nauseating degree. I was going to make a checklist but I figured it would take too long. I recall reading the book last summer and thinking, "Holy shit, I would LOVE to make this into a film."

Obviously, Frances Lawrence read the book and said, "Holy shit, I would LOVE to make this into a video game starring Will Smith and the baddies from Resident Evil."

That's not to say there weren't visually interesting things going on in Lawrence's CGI critter picture, but 28 Days Later was far superior at doing the same things.

[noelbotevera]

Saw it and maybe the best thing in it is Will Smith; he's extended his acting chops; he can actually carry a movie on the force of his persona alone.

That said, this is a travesty of the novel. There's a specific reason Neville becomes a legend, and it isn't by saving the world. What this IS is a remake of The Omega Man, only that had a likeable little cheese factor to it--Heston acting all alpha male, the black chick melting under the size of his ego, all the cultists chanting with their cool shades, and the hints that Heston is Christ (I'll bet he chafed in his John the Baptist skins when he played opposite Von Sydow's messiah ("I should be the one babtized!"). Still trying to save the world come Man for All Season time).

And the vamps--standard-issue CGI baddies. I wish they went the Herzog route and tried to make them uncanny, but no, this is an action flick, not a serious drama.

[Barmy]

Saw it on IMAX. As a resident, I appreciated the realism of the Manhattan street scenes. Given that they apparently spent about 50 cents on the CGI deer, I was impressed that they made it so Manhattany rather than the usual Toronto crap.

Will Smith is awful. I've only seen a few of his flix (I think only MiB). Can't understand why anyone rates him. There's nothing there. Sharon Stone was more convincing as a scientist in Catwoman.

But the first hour or so are good. The dog should get a supporting actress nod, instead of that Cate bitch. The last 30 minutes are dire and include an endless Shrek riff (literally about 5 minutes of a Shrek movie on a flatscreen) that I really could not believe I was seeing. The ending was ass--the audience groaned, ejaculated "whatever" and rushed for the exits.

Can't wait for the next remake--maybe in 2027 with Suri Cruise?

[domino harvey]

I still remember this Onion headline from five years ago:
Will Smith: The Black Man Everyone At Work Can Agree On

[DrewReiber]

I wish they went the Herzog route and tried to make them uncanny, but no, this is an action flick, not a serious drama.

They were originally handcrafted suits and makeup with real actors (which you can see online if you look for it), and at the last minute Francis Lawrence put CGI over everything. This is why everything looked so terrible. That's also why...

Spoiler

only one or two monsters show up in Neville's apartment, despite hundreds of CG guys outside. It wasn't the plan at all during production. They already shot their live-action footage and had to slim down the number of additional, rushed renders when they had scenes that involved the real-life monster actors interacting with the physical environments.

This is by far the sloppiest use of CGI I have seen in some time.

[noelbotevera]

They were originally handcrafted suits and makeup with real actors (which you can see online if you look for it), and at the last minute Francis Lawrence put CGI over everything. This is why everything looked so terrible. That's also why...

That's confident filmmaking for you.

[Antoine Doinel]

The forthcoming HD-DVD, Blu-Ray (and I'm presuming standard DVD) release will feature an alternate ending.

[noelbotevera]

I Am Legend (Francis Lawrence, 2007)

[Antoine Doinel]

Saw this in IMAX last night and as much as it surprises me to say it, I completely agree with Drew Reiber.

The ending of the film

Spoiler

is a clumsier, out of leftfield riff on M. Night Shyamalan's Signs.

But what bothered me most about the film is how empty it was. There was more substance in Transformers for God's sake. Essentially, the film was an episode of The Twilight Zone extended into a feature length runtime. The film sets up its boundaries nicely, but then takes far too long to get to it's ultimately dull and unsatisfactory third act. I could've done without the ad for Shrek which for me was far more disturbing than the Batman Vs. Superman billboard that was glimped for all of five seconds. Having a lead character stand there and literally recite dialog from the film as it's playing on a flatscreen for no apparent reason at all was painful.

The film also suffers from various plotholes - the big one being the shifting intelligence of the vampires - the film does succeed in being much darker than a blockbuster of this kind usually is. Also, who the fuck doesn't know who Bob Marley is? Especially a Damien Marley fan!

As for Will Smith, he is very strong carrying pretty much the whole film and much of the screen time on his shoulders. But that is very little on which to recommend the film. It's boring, derivative and the best part about it was seeing the extended The Dark Knight preview before the film.

[Antoine Doinel]

Here's the original ending (it is also featured on the special edition DVD). Watch it while it's still available.

[Joe Buck]

Thanks for sharing that. I really liked the film when I saw it in the theater, although I was bothered by the lackluster looking badies. Obviously, the ending shown here is more emotionally and intellectually stimulating than the paint by numbers Hollywood ending shown in theaters.

[Anhedionisiac]

Never in a million years of speculation as to how they would water down the book's ending and explain the title would have I come up with linking it to Bob Marley's record and setting Neville as a man who strives, in a post-apocalyptic scenario, to follow the ideals set by the man who sang "I Shot The Sheriff".
So.
I don't know, I feel as if whoever came up with that should get an award for Clever Deviant Of The Year or something.

[Antoine Doinel]

So back in the day, Jean Luc Godard was considering adapting the novel into a film with Eddie Constantine in the lead

[dx23]

This is getting the Ultimate Collection Editiontreatment from WB:

I Am Legend R1 UCE in December - Full details added

Warner Home Video have announced the Region 1 DVD release of I Am Legend (Ultimate Collector’s Edition) on 9th December 2008 priced at $49.92 SRP. Will Smith stars in this adaptation of Richard Matheson’s novel of the same name which arrives on DVD for its second time in one year with the UCE release.

Content includes two versions of the film, a Digital Copy of the theatrical version, plus hours of all new additional content. This additional content consists of four animated comics, 12 never before seen deleted scenes with filmmaker commentary, and more than two hours of all new extras revealing Will Smith’s “off-camera humour and kindness and explanation of how he grew as an actor through this film”. Lastly, the UCE also includes an exclusive 44-page concept sketch book, a lenticular lucite commemorative piece featuring imagery from the film, and six collectible art cards showing international cities devastated by the virus.

A full breakdown of the disc content follows...

Disc 1 (Theatrical Version)
Commentary by director Francis Lawrence and producer-screenwriter Akiva Goldsman
Theatrical trailer

Disc 2 (Alternate Version)
Includes Digital Copy

Disc 3
Creating I Am Legend

The Joy Ride Jump – All alone with a hot car and an empty street; setting up the perfect scene
Will in the Driver’s Seat – A realistic balance between live action and the stunt world
Robert Neville’s Psychology – Will Smith, director Francis Lawrence and novelist Richard Matheson set up the character of Robert Neville, particularly his devotion to discipline in routine in order to keep his sanity.
The Story – Will Smith, director Francis Lawrence, producer-screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and novelist Richard Matheson discuss the roots of the film, as well as the story and its relevance.
Will Smith in Action – As a man in action, we get to see the humor and kindness of actor Will Smith when cameras are not rolling.
That Scary Place Inside All of Us – Will Smith and producer-screenwriter Akiva Goldsman discuss he complexity of the story and the Robert Neville character’s ragged psyche.
Shooting on the Intrepid – Faced with isolation, this NYC landmark was a perfect location against the city skyline.
NYC Gone Back to Nature – Will Smith, director Francis Lawrence and others focus on the challenges of making a city of over eight million look deserted.
Will’s Physical Training – Will Smith and trainer Darrell Foster discuss the physical training Will undertook for the role of Robert Neville.
Creating the Dark Seekers – Producer-screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and novelist Richard Matheson discuss the development of the film’s virus-infected creatures.
Evacuation, Part 1: Family Convoy – Military coordinator Sam Glen and Second Unit director Vic Armstrong discuss shooting the evacuation sequence.
Evacuation, Part 2: Military Cooperation – Producer-screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and others discuss the enormous amount of cooperation provided to the production by the U.S. Military in the evacuation sequence.
Building the Pier – Director Francis Lawrence and others explain the significance of building a pier in New York’s East River.
Canine Co-Star – Animal coordinator Steve Berens and his star dog Abby share some of her secrets for the training on this film.
Quiet Imagination – Will Smith talks about his growth as an actor and what was required from his performance.
Closing Down Fifth Avenue – Unique challenges to shut down one of New York’s busiest streets.
Evacuation, Part 3: Choppers – Skilled chopper pilots played a key role to deliver dramatic footage.
The Conflicts of Isolation – Will Smith and producer-screenwriter Akiva Goldsman discuss the psychology of the character of Robert Neville, who believes he is the last man on earth.
Trusting the Unknown – A profile of the characters Anna and Ethan, as played by Alice Braga and Charlie Tahan, and the significance of their roles in this film.
The Creatures Break In – Preparing Robert Neville’s home for the attack of the Dark Seekers.
Neville’s Weapons – The balance between protection and the reality of his environment played a role in the weapons used by Robert Neville

Animated Comics

Death as a Gift - Jinghua Xu, immune from the virus and the last survivor in Hong Kong, struggles with the reality of living in a world decimated by the infected.
Isolation - Abandoned by his country, John Edward Lard is left to die in a maximum security prison while all other inmates are transferred to a more secure facility.
Sacrificing the Few for the Many - In a Central American jungle, two seemingly unaffected children witness the slaughter of aid workers and the destruction of a sick camp by an unknown military operation.
Shelter - A father’s agonizing choice to keep his infected daughter locked outside a refuge proves useless as the shelter walls are ultimately breached by the sick.

Additional Content

Cautionary Tale: The Science of I Am Legend - How life-threatening microbes have caused pandemic viral infections and the looming dangers of advanced strands to the human race.
The Making of I Am Legend
I Am Legend: The Making of Shots
Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Francis Lawrence and Akiva Goldsman.

[dx23]

WB plans 'I Am Legend' prequel. Be warned of spoilers in the article.