I Am Legend

I Am Legend
Starring Will Smith & Abby the Dog

In a futuristic world that contains threads of "28 Days Later" and "Cast Away," this modern day version of the 50s novel commands an audience needy of action, love, humor, and Will Smith. For an hour and forty minutes, captivation takes control of the theatre, and one of the better end-of-the-world films comes to life. Of course, it has its kinks.

Will Smith is Robert Neville, assumably the last man on earth - well, at least on the isle of New York City. He and his trusty dog, Sam, hunt for wild deer during the day, watch taped news from years ago, listen to Bob Marley, and sleep. Except the sleeping part is more difficult - there are creatures about. Neville studies the humans and animals that were affected by a virus, but he never caught it. They are dangerous, hungry, and never enter the light.

As we enter his Tom Hanks circa "Cast Away" life, flashbacks are given as information about what happened before everyone died or became infected. His wife and daughter are now gone. It's just Neville and Sam.

The suspense of "I Am Legend" arises from a well known world that is so distant and strange. Times Square looks the same but doesn't. It's wild, relentless, deadly. Well, I guess nothing has really changed. Also, the fact that some of the creatures seem to be evolving runs the risk of never being safe. However, the movie takes a turn from being a good old Smith and Sam, lost, unavailing kind of adventure to one of hope. This is a good move for what else can you do, I guess? But it also lessens the tension in a way, knowing that someone else has been out there. Oh well. The final decision of Robert Neville is one to be highly questioned, but the movie before the last 20 minutes was great fun.

Grade: B