I AM LEGEND (2007)

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There are some movies that capture the feeling of isolation, which in turn can affect your sub-conscious in a way that the viewer can undoubtfully relate to in a personal and humanitarian way, movies such as Castaway and the Omega Man effectively demonstrate this to us. I Am Legend should also be included on this list and actually being a remake of the latter, it is nothing less than a fine re-working / interpretation of a thrilling and disturbing tale written by Richard Matheson.

The movie revolves around Robert Neville (Will Smith), a military scientist and the sole survivor of New York City from a global biological apocalypse which destroys more than 90% of the world's population, including his wife and son, however the story doesn't really focus on this aspect but instead deals with the aftermath and how Robert must deal with a world in which he thinks he is the last man 'alive'.

It is a role in which Will Smith delivers and does not dissapoint in the slightest. He effectively captures the essence of being alone exceptionally well and the fantastic cgi created environment that is his abandoned city only adds to his anxieties. Neville does have one companion in his dog Sam or Samantha, but when things take a turn for the worst, he is truly left alone in an unforgiving world,and at the same time, dealing with a 'menace' that has been left over from the world plague.

Mostly quiet at times and smoothly paced, when the film does explode into action, it does so with such ferocity and intensity the u can't help but keep your eyes fixated to the screen and feeling every single bit of caution, anxiety and dread that Neville faces as he deals with those who have been 'infected'. The flashbacks also do a nice a job of breaking the monotony of Neville's daily routines.

Although the infected are slightly 'animated', they still carry a sense of conciousness and believability to them which make them both menacing and grim at the same time.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, his latest effort for the big screen does not fail to match the intensity and humanity of his Constantine predecessor. Overall this movie, except for the ending, which seems a little rushed, is a solid piece of film-making amd will be the envy of all sci-fi fans and appreciated by all movie-goers alike who enjoy a thrilling, humanitarian and uplifting tale of one man's struggle for surivival and preservation of a life he once knew.

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