I Am Legend (2007)

"I Am Legend" is one of those films that perhaps promoted horror, rightfully fulfilled sci-fi, but added this really intense layer of human drama instead of hardcore violence. What could have been a story about the end of the world easily became this plight of one man, his emotional struggle of being the "last man on Earth", and his fear of God. Alright, so that last part doesn't fit - and it didn't fit in the third act of this film, but the rest was like gravy on Sunday, it just was comforting, fattening, and well-deserved. Smith does a fantastic job playing the "Omega Man", desolate in New York, he hunts for both food, items, and a cure for this Emma Thompson born virus that has eliminated humanity. What makes "I Am Legend" stand out are core scenes, scenes that normally wouldn't see the light of day in a blockbuster action film, but instead director Francis Lawrence takes Will Smith's ability and creates a true solitary man. His relationship with films, mannequins, and his dog will draw tears into your eyes early into this film, but that just shows the power that Mr. Smith has. He needs no co-actors, just place a camera on him following the words of "Shrek" and you have a scene that both shows his sadness, his time alone, and lack of real-world ability. It is intense.

I would strongly encourage the alternative ending to this film instead of the theatrical one, it changes the tone of the film, and really accompanies the emotional beginning, as well as the issues Smith faces throughout. The flashbacks make more sense, and the lack of explosions intensify the truth of this virus. There is something about the alternative ending that just makes "I Am Legend" transform from a normal film into a film I could view again and again. Sure, the special effects are fun and the monsters are spooky, but "I Am Legend" is about the man - not the machines, and Lawrence embraces that. My only complaint, the third act. While I loved everything going into the film, when Smith reacts to a loss, it unwinds for about thirty minutes until fitting right back into its original mold. It felt like studio interruption, but perhaps I am wrong, but it didn't fit. Found in my "Halliwell's Movies that Matter" book, this is one of the few "modern" films that I have watched lately, and while it was eye candy with CGI, it was Smith that took a normal story and transformed it into something memorable. This is getting a green mark with blue stars, I will watch this film again and suggest it to friends. Sans the third act, it was nearly flawless.