I am Legend - A Review

Having read the novel already, I didn't know how the film will shape up coz the novels ends very grimly as Dr. Robert Neville (Will Smith in the movie) is being captured by the Nightwalkers and he accepts his failure and moves on. Also, the 'Legend' name in the novel came frm the fact that Neville was immune to the infection caused frm the Virus (to be precise the Nightwalkers' bites). So, the Nightwalkers themselves looked upon to Neville as a Legend.

So, when I started to watch the movie, I was quite amused to see that they have changed the plot considerably. But, on a brighter side, it actually made the film better in a way that it had "hope" which lacked in the novel. Definitely a better idea for a feature film.

Coming back to reviewing it, first things first. The opening sequence is the best opening sequence for me this year. Hands Down. Manhattan never looked so lifeless, so lonely, and so devastating.

Note 1# Hands down one of the best Production Design of the year...

I will not delve to much into the plot to spoil it. I will discuss more on the technical aspect of the film which I actually understand more than the writing process

Note 2# Will Smith proves once again he is the biggest salable actor on earth....77.4M opening..phew!!

Note 2.1# Will Smith can act..and act pretty well...!!! Bravo...

Very few films actually portrayed the last man standing on earth so well. There was actually 2 more films made on this topic. The more popular among the 2 is 'The Omega Man' (1978 probably) and I have seen it. It wasn't a good film.

I must admit that for the first half of the movie, 2 things stand out...and stand out in a big way.

#1 The painful, inhuman loneliness of Will Smith.

#2 The Human-Animal bonding. Few films have actually captured the Man-Dog bonding as it is done in here. The plot helps as Sam (the dog) is the only other living character for the first half of the movie. Still, very impressive.

The rest of the movie is fight against the Nightwalkers and some twist and turns which I won't reveal.

But, there are 3-4 really well made shock (horror) scenes. Very neatly done.

Now, the flaw...

I found only one. The CGI of the Nightwalkers could and should have been better. They look almost staright out from the Computer Games

A little more flesh was the need of the hour

Overall:

I really liked the movie and whole heartedly recommend this to everyone. It a little change from the usual Hollywood/Bollywood movies also. And, it does raise a few questions which mutate in our minds long after the film is over.