I Am Legend: Review By T.Clark

Apr 21st, 2008 by T.Clark
Suspenseful, Will Smith is at his best
  • OVERALL
    5.0
    SUPERB
  • Story
  • Acting
  • Directing
  • Visuals
I've heard some bad stuff about this movie. I've heard the story sucked, it wasn't as good as it could've been, and it's unsatisfying. I personally think that's all a load of crap, and couldn't find a whole lot wrong with the movie. I Am Legend is one of the best movies I've seen; it's definitely up thier on my list. The acting is great, but when practically the only actor for most of the movie is Will Smith, I usually expect it to be great.

I think people get confused between sucking and simple when it comes to this film. It's a simple plot: Dr. Robert Neville(Smith), is a brilliant scientist who is somehow immune to a deadly virus that threatens humanity...and it's man-made. Three years later, Neville seems to be the last person in New York City, possibly the world. All he has is his trusty companion, his dog Sam. But he isn't alone. He may be the only man, but there are also mutants running ramphant during night, virus-infected beings who are thirsty for blood. Neville dedicates those three years to trying to find a cure using his own blood, and everything fails.

Smith is at his finest in this movie. He's a great actor, but he's really matured as an actor since I, Robot. Not only is he a great actor, but he's gone up against everything from aliens to robots in his movies. It only made sense for him to confront mutants. He brings the suspense to full throttle, and slams it in our faces with his dramatic performance. He has to be dramatic for this type of movie. He makes his character believable. His interactions with manikans is amusing, acting as if they're real. You'd probably do the same thing if you were the only person in NYC...supposedly.

Speaking of the suspense, that's what drives this story forward. You never know what's going to happen next, and it does happen, it's usually something unexpected and dramatic. There's also many little hidden things throughout the movie, such as the "Superman/Batman" poster and Niville's face on a Time Magazine cover he has on his refridgerator. I didn't see the ending coming, but it's very fullfilling, and I like that it's not predictable. It might have been to some people, but not to me.

Overall, I Am Legend is greatly underappreciated. It's almost, dear I say, oscar-worthy. People should definitely give this movie another chance if they thought it sucked, because it was far from it.

AR's score: 5.0 stars(10/10)

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Comments (23)

  1. slysnide

    True. He was great in "ALI." I,Robot was kinda another addition for his superhero like image, but this one was more of the dramatic side, and was a good move for his career, though the movie didn't do it for me in comparison to Richard Matheson's classic that even inspired horror greats like Stephen King.

    I just reviewed the film for myself if you wanna understand my position more.

    4 years agoby @slysnideFlag

  2. T.Clark

    I forgot bout ali, flrep. Good point. I just don't think he was that great in i,robot, but i think it was the type of movie, not him entirely

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  3. slysnide

    I agree with you in the confusion that people have when it comes to simplicity and how much a film sucks. But having read this truly classic book that's had 3 filmed adaptations prior to this one, I must say that it's not even deserving of the same title. Wasn't scary either.

    The only thing enjoyable about it for me was Will Smith playing the lead. He was great. One of his best roles, but the movie???? Not so much for me.

    4 years agoby @slysnideFlag

  4. Flrep07

    great review. the only thing im gonna disagree with is that i believe will smith began maturing more when he took the role of Ali. that was a pretty good movie and he was really focused on playing his role just right.

    4 years agoby @flrep07Flag

  5. T.Clark

    Ya, i just commented on his reviews

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  6. Marcusx

    thats the one

    4 years agoby @marcusxFlag

  7. T.Clark

    Dammit, is it sweeny t? I just noticed his braveheart review on the latest commented list. I'll check it out.

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  8. T.Clark

    Who's this kid with the braveheart review ur talkin bout?

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  9. Marcusx

    i dont kno how, but i found the kid you were talking about. thanks for making it easy. if will chose to reprise his role, we would all see it. i trust his judgement with the movies he chooses to take part in. but i highly doubt this so called sequel will be more than speculation. nothin to worry about

    4 years agoby @marcusxFlag

  10. T.Clark

    Wow, this the most comments one of my reviews has ever gotten. Glad i started a conversation. lol I also think a sequel would be a waste of time and ruin the movie. BUT hollywood would find some reason to do it. Maybe if he could survive the virus, he can survive an explosion. Maybe he's like wolverine and immune to disease and can heal. lol Whatever the reason, it would be an absolute "f*ck u" to the movie to do a sequel

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  11. Phatlightning

    again, blurry answers. check out that kids braveheart review.. if rad reads it he may kill someone.

    4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag

  12. Marcusx

    they ran away without looking back. he couldve recovered later on and awoke under a pile of rubble. or maybe something got in the way to cover and protect him during the explosion. there are ways around the stupididty. hollywood always finds a way

    4 years agoby @marcusxFlag

  13. Phatlightning

    and if he really was still alive, why wouldnt the boy and women have found him? too many questions that they would have to conceal with blurry answers..

    4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag

  14. Phatlightning

    thats gay, he died in the book, he had a grenade in his hand when the explosion happened in the movie.. now leave it be. Hollywood f*ckheads.

    4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag

  15. Marcusx

    thats what i think, but its the truth. do some digging. i dont kno if there is any final word on the project, but they dont show him in the explosion which leaves it open-ended. i agree its dumb, but thats whats going down

    4 years agoby @marcusxFlag

  16. Phatlightning

    didnt die? I saw the explosion marcus. He did, and a sequel to a book that wasnt sequeled is a lame idea and clearly just a ploy to make bank seeing as the first killed it in the box office. Heres an idea, just put Will Smith in another role, you will make just as much.

    4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag

  17. Marcusx

    a sequel is in talks i heard and Smith's character Robert N apparently didnt die. but good review trav i liked this movie

    4 years agoby @marcusxFlag

  18. MrBallou

    Agree but did not like the ending

    4 years agoby @mrballouFlag

  19. boomanjr

    A very good review! I agree that this was one of Will's finest performance.

    4 years agoby @boomanjrFlag

  20. Phatlightning

    im not gonna lie to you, i didnt read all of that.. but i just saw this again the other night and although i liked it as a movie, me having read the book prior to seeing the movie ruined it for me.. it was nothing like the book and thats what I hated... although i hated the book, I was looking forward to it being like the book.. but no. I liked the ending of the movie better than the book though, which isnt saying much.

    4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag

  21. LeoNiDas' Lover

    good review

    4 years agoby @thejokerrulesFlag

  22. T.Clark

    Yeah, i try to review the hell outta them when they've been out a while. lol But i don't get to go see movies every weekend with the whole not being able to drive legally thing lol I just got this for my birthday yesterday. Just wait til tomorrow when i review beowulf!!

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  23. Radimus-83

    you need to start doing movies as their released. prob here is i've loads of "I am legend" reviews by now! but your's is pretty good. :)

    4 years agoby @radimus-83Flag