Movie Review: I Am Legend
Posted 01-06-2008 at 11:28 PM by Photics
People must be getting over 9/11, as New York City is getting destroyed in movies again. I've been known to eat lunch in and around Washington Square Park. After seeing I Am Legend, I might hesitate before I take a bite out of my sandwich.
I Am Legend is a creepy movie. Basically, Will Smith plays Robert Neville - a lone survivor in a desolate world. It seems as if everyone is dead, except for the freaky vampire people. Those monsters come out at night. During the day, Robert tries to forge a normal life, finding food, looking for survivors and talking to his dog. At night, Robert hides from the vampires.
If you're looking for Vampire slaying action, this movie is nothing like Blade. I Am Legend is more about loneliness and the toll it takes on the lead (and pretty much only) character. The world's population was wiped out by a cancer cure mishap. Robert, being a virologist, doesn't hunt the vampires as much as he's trying to cure them.
It gives the movie a very slow feeling. NYC was the perfect location for this movie. The normally busy streets are overrun with foliage and other signs of decay. That aspect of the movie is well done. The special effects create a believable world. Seeing my hometown portrayed in this fashion was familiar but disturbing. Other times, it was just plain distracting. "Oh hey, it's the South Street Seaport."
I Am Legend is a remake of movies from before my time. I went into the movie not knowing what to expect. Will Smith was in other fantasy movies that I enjoyed, such as Men In Black, Independence Day and I, Robot. I walked out of the theater with trouble on deciding my favorite Will Smith movie. I Am Legend has a serious tone. I enjoyed the movie, but it wasn't quite the experience that I was expecting. One shouldn't anticipate a barren world, except for marauding vampires, to be lighthearted. If you're looking for a fun and silly movie like MIB, this isn't it.
There are a few battle scenes, but Robert Neville is not an invincible vampire slayer. The movie is slower and sadder, giving it a more gritty feeling. It's more believable than your typical undead slaughter fest. I think that's why I enjoyed it. I Am Legend deviates from the typical Hollywood style sci-fi/horror flick. The pacing is reminiscent of classic horror movies and the gore is used sparingly. The movie drags on, which will either fill you with an extreme case of boredom or strong a sense of empathy. For me, it was the latter. I enjoyed it!
Photics Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
I Am Legend is a creepy movie. Basically, Will Smith plays Robert Neville - a lone survivor in a desolate world. It seems as if everyone is dead, except for the freaky vampire people. Those monsters come out at night. During the day, Robert tries to forge a normal life, finding food, looking for survivors and talking to his dog. At night, Robert hides from the vampires.
If you're looking for Vampire slaying action, this movie is nothing like Blade. I Am Legend is more about loneliness and the toll it takes on the lead (and pretty much only) character. The world's population was wiped out by a cancer cure mishap. Robert, being a virologist, doesn't hunt the vampires as much as he's trying to cure them.
It gives the movie a very slow feeling. NYC was the perfect location for this movie. The normally busy streets are overrun with foliage and other signs of decay. That aspect of the movie is well done. The special effects create a believable world. Seeing my hometown portrayed in this fashion was familiar but disturbing. Other times, it was just plain distracting. "Oh hey, it's the South Street Seaport."
I Am Legend is a remake of movies from before my time. I went into the movie not knowing what to expect. Will Smith was in other fantasy movies that I enjoyed, such as Men In Black, Independence Day and I, Robot. I walked out of the theater with trouble on deciding my favorite Will Smith movie. I Am Legend has a serious tone. I enjoyed the movie, but it wasn't quite the experience that I was expecting. One shouldn't anticipate a barren world, except for marauding vampires, to be lighthearted. If you're looking for a fun and silly movie like MIB, this isn't it.
There are a few battle scenes, but Robert Neville is not an invincible vampire slayer. The movie is slower and sadder, giving it a more gritty feeling. It's more believable than your typical undead slaughter fest. I think that's why I enjoyed it. I Am Legend deviates from the typical Hollywood style sci-fi/horror flick. The pacing is reminiscent of classic horror movies and the gore is used sparingly. The movie drags on, which will either fill you with an extreme case of boredom or strong a sense of empathy. For me, it was the latter. I enjoyed it!
Photics Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
Tags: i am legend, nyc, will smith
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