(Sorry for no video version of the review, but I’m currently visiting in Los Angeles) “Aww Hell Naww” are probably the words that will be inscribed on Will Smith’s grave. It’s not only a popular line, but also one that a lot of people think identify and embody who he is an an actor. Look, as EVERYONE around here knows, I hate it when musicians just jump to acting and get handed lead roles… but as you hear about Smith’s life, during Fresh Prince of Bel-Air days and afterwards, he took his acting very seriously, took as much training wherever he could, and slowly started turning himself into a pretty fine actor.
So here comes I am Legend, an apparent hybrid between the book and Omega Man. A movie that has the appearance of a Summer Blockbuster more than a pre-christmas release, which may have been brilliant strategy on the studios part since a popcorn type film like this released when all the serious styled Oscar Contenders are coming out could be very lucrative. But happily there is also a little bit more to Legend than just popcorn… not much… but a little
THE GENERAL IDEA
In the very near future a doctor creates what appears to be a cancer vaccine. I genetically engineered virus that when injected into 10,000 cancer patients, cured every single one of them. The problem is, when you play God, you may find out you’re not as good at as you might think. The virus mutates into a plauge that pretty much wipes out the entire human race, killing the vast majority of the population almost instantly, while leaving some survivors…. but most of those survivors are turned into Vampire/Zombie/Rage Virus type beings who lose their humanity and kill every survivor left uneffected. Will Smith is the last human being in New York, and maybe the world, who is also a military geneticist (what great luck) who works tirelessly to not only survive in this new nightmare world, but also struggles to find a cure for the rest of those who are infected.
THE GOOD
Ok, didn’t think I’d end up saying this… but Will Smith is pretty damn good in this movie. When you think about it, it’s not easy to carry a movie when you’re the only character most of the time. You’re interacting with yourself and a dog…. and that’s it. In that way I am Legend had a sort of “Castaway” feel to it, and while Smith doesn’t quite pull off a Hanks lone performance, he does do it quite well. We see him trying his best to lead something that looks like a normal existence, slowly loosing his sanity a little (there’s a great little scene where he’s trying to think of a way to pick up a mannequin) and yet save the world all at the same time. Lesser actors couldn’t have pulled that off, and Smith did, so kudos to him.
Many people around the websphere are maligning the visual effects in the film… and I’d like to know what they’re comapring it to, because I’ll tell you right now, they did as good of a job as I’ve ever seen making human beings in full lead 3D animation interacting with a real environments. It’s easier to make giant robots, or alien creatures because our brains have no point of reference for such things to compare them too… but do a human… or an animal… and it’s a much difference story. The technology is still far from perfect, but the artists who did the VFX in this film did a fantastic job filling out a VERY TALL ORDER.
I love it when a movie can give you that “Oh crap… this guy is totally screwed” feeling, and I Am Legend did that on a couple of solid occasions. Not only screwed because of his general predicament (being the only human left alive with all those infected out there wanting to rip his delicious neck meat out) but also some pretty suspenseful action sequences that had you on the edge of your seat a little.
Oh, and this is a minor thing… but near the beginning of the movie as Will Smith is walking around the now empty downtown New York, there is a giant billboard in Time Square advertising a Batman VS. Superman movie. Made me smile friends… made me smile.
THE BAD
This one killed me. Will Smith is keeping careful detailed notes and memos as any good scientist would do. He even makes this video entry into this computer about how he noticed one of the infected guys stuck his head into the light for a second, which was unnatural behavior for them. However, in another scene, one of the infected (minor spoiler) sets an elaborate booby-trap for Smith to fall into. These are supposed to be mindless rage machines… and they this one shows complex reasoning and planning… and Smith never mentions it again in the movie… ever. I know that’s a minor point… but it really stuck out.
As good of a job that Smith did in keeping my attention even though it’s usually just him on the screen, the fact of the matter is I had a very hard time buying Will Smith as the world’s leading military geneticist who the US government (when it was still around) is relying on to save the world (he’s even on the cover of Time Magazine). And it’s not because I can’t by SMITH per se… but I couldn’t buy it when held up to all the other characteristics of the character he plays. Warrior, bodybuilder (crap… he’s in better shape in this movie than he was in Ali) and everything in between… made it a huge stretch to ALSO buy him a genius scientist.
Once the infected people are revealed, the film lost a bit of it’s soul. I was really enjoying the simple survival story of Smith, working to save the world, and yes, the THREAT of the infected… but once the infected come out full force, it felt like the movie dumbed down a little.
OVERALL
I didn’t have much hope for I Am Legend, but I’ve got to say I enjoyed it. Certainly not as good as it could have been, but a decent time at the movies nonetheless. Smith is solid, the premise is good than they move around in this eerily empty world very well. Not half bad action and suspence although it could have been a bit shorter since the film starts to slowly loose your attention after the first hour. Still… not a bad film. Overall I give I Am Legend a 6.5 out of 10
