Plot
Adapted from acclaimed author Richard Matheson's influential novelette of the same name, Constantine director Francis Lawrence's I Am Legend follows the last man on Earth as he struggles to survive while fending off the infected survivors of a devastating vampiric plague. A brilliant scientist who raced to discover a cure for the man-made virus as humanity came crumbling down all around him, Robert Neville (Will Smith) was inexplicably immune to the highly contagious superbug. Now the entire population of New York City -- and perhaps the world -- has been transformed into carnivorous bloodsuckers that fear the light and live solely to spread their contagion to any remaining living creature that crosses their path. It's been three years since civilization came to an end, and the loneliness has taken a devastating toll on Neville. By day he scours the city for food and supplies while sending out desperate radio messages in hopes that someone might respond, and by night he attempts to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus by experimenting with his own blood. But time is running out for Neville as the legions of infected watch his every move from the safety of the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They, too, long to learn the secret that lurks in Neville's blood, though they will have to take caution while attempting to procure it because Neville will sooner die attempting to slay every last one of them than willingly giving up a single drop. Previously adapted for the screen in the 1964 Vincent Price frightener The Last Man on Earth and the 1971 Charlton Heston action film The Omega Man, Matheson's novelette also served as the inspiration for George A. Romero's groundbreaking zombie classic Night of the Living Dead. ~ Jason Buchanan, RoviReview
There have been so many attempts to get it right, but now 50 years after the fact, it's beginning to seem as if Richard Matheson's landmark 1954 novella may simply be unfilmable. Sure, the long-in-development I Am Legend is a serviceable action-horror flick when all is said and done, but the reality is that fans hoping for a faithful adaptation -- as the title would suggest -- will have to put their expectations on hold if they hope to enjoy this dodgy but passable take on the oft-told tale. Truth is that a large part of the story is deeply psychological as it hones in on the gradual mental breakdown of a man left completely alone in the world, a concept that few would deny is better suited to the written page than the silver screen. No doubt Will Smith does a commendable job of conveying the scientist-turned-vampire slayer's inner torment as he chats up mannequins like they're old friends and goads his dog on to eat vegetables, but it's when the film starts to stray from its origins that it becomes a bit generic and uninvolved. On the one hand, there isn't as much action here as there is in The Omega Man, but on the other, it doesn't come anywhere near to rivaling the brooding quality of The Last Man on Earth -- rendering it more of a tantalizing, middle-of-the-road misfire than an outright failure.The year is 2012, and apparently the Mayan calendar was spot on. Three years ago, scientists smugly proclaimed to the world that they had defeated cancer by harnessing the power of the measles virus, but the celebrations quickly ceased when New Yorkers became infected with a mysterious plague that transformed them into rampaging, primal versions of their former selves. Somehow, famed military scientist Robert Neville was immune to the infection, and now he works around the clock to find a cure. While the light-sensitive former humans that stalk the moonlit streets aren't exactly vampires in the traditional sense (they don't have fangs and a well-aimed bullet will suffice should one find themselves fresh out of wooden stakes), they still possess superhuman strength and they'll stop at nothing to savor a fleshy treat. Aside from the absolute core details of Matheson's story, screenwriters Mark Protosevich and Akiva Goldsman have jettisoned nearly all of the engaging particulars that made Neville the tormented man that he became after he watched the world die, instead opting to focus almost entirely on the inevitable showdown between big daddy bloodsucker and the benevolent scientist who only wants to cure him. Gone is Neville's best-friend-turned-vampire who sadistically taunts him from the darkness after the sun goes down, and the slow, torturous death of his family is replaced with a urgent scene of New York City being evacuated that, despite effectively capitalizing on post-9/11 fears of urban paranoia and biological terrorism, denies the character the vivid suffering and agony that so richly molded him on the written page. These changes make for a more cinematic approach to be sure, but unfortunately they're changes that come at the sacrifice of two essential components to Neville's character.
When it was first announced that Will Smith would be assuming the role of Neville, fans of the story were understandably skeptical -- visions of the I, Robot star cracking wise as he dispenses with the undead leaving many to fear the worst. Truth is, Smith is just about dead on in his portrayal of the aging but virile protagonist: the specks of grey in his hair and the tired look in his eyes hinting at the weariness that comes with thinking he is the last man on Earth, and the aforementioned conversations with inanimate human stand-ins serving well to highlight the dementia that would likely follow. Unfortunately, the shortcomings of the script are to blame for the lack of rich dimensions that would make the character work. Visually speaking, viewers previously bowled over by the striking imagery on display in director Francis Lawrence's ambitious feature debut Constantine will likely find I Am Legend a bit of a let down as well -- quite a surprise considering that Oscar-winning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie (The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the two Babe films) was guiding the lens.
Objectively reviewing a film based on a book is a tricky endeavor, especially when the book is one as influential as I Am Legend. Some argue that to compare the filmed version to the written word is unfair, given that both mediums have their obvious benefits and drawbacks. But when one can walk into their nearest bookstore and see copies of Matheson's original story on the shelves adorned with the poster for the film, a curious gray area is created that's difficult to overlook. This is not "Now a Bantam Book!" territory; I Am Legend is an undisputed classic of the sci-fi genre, and to ignore the role that the book played in influencing a film that boldly proclaims that recognizable title (as no adaptation before has) is extremely difficult if not impossible for anyone who has read and loved the story. When the screenwriters go so far as to actually change the meaning of the title, to retain it for the screen version seems insincere almost to the point of insult. So, is Lawrence's I Am Legend the supposedly faithful adaptation that fans have been teased and taunted with for over a decade? Sadly, no. In the end, I Am Legend is a neutered but decently entertaining version of that familiar tale, a mildly invigorating action-horror entry that's just tense enough to keep audiences from checking their watches, but not memorable enough to warrant any sort of severe damnation or serious discussion -- that is, unless you've read the book. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Cast
- Will Smith - Robert Neville
- Alice Braga - Anna
- Charlie Tahan - Ethan
- Salli Richardson-Whitfield - Zoe
- Willow Smith - Marley
Credit
Howard Cummings - Art Director, Patricia Woodbridge - Art Director, Bill Skinner - Art Director, Sony Pictures Imageworks - Animator, Atsushi Sato - Character Animation, Joe Mandia - Character Animation, Robert McIntosh - Character Animation, Nicole Herr - Character Animation, Partick Osborne - Character Animation, Keith Paciello - Character Animation, Joshua Beveridge - Character Animation, Benjamin Cinelli - Character Animation, Kevin Freeman - Character Animation, Scott Fritts - Character Animation, Clarence Robello - Character Animation, Brian Scott - Character Animation, Eric Lees - Character Animation, Steve Pierre Gordon - Character Animation, Dave Hardin - Character Animation, Matthew J. Munn - Character Animation, Michael Mumbauer - Character Animation, Rob MacKenzie - Character Animation, Stephen Buckley - Character Animation, John Bunt - Character Animation, Ken King - Character Animation, Haron Maxwell - Character Animation, John Meehan - Character Animation, J.R. Salazar - Character Animation, Mike Scott - Boom Operator, Kathleen Chopin - Casting, Dr. Thomas Aaragan - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Bill Bellini - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Bob Benjamin - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Keith Black - Consultant/advisor, Dr. George Bonnano - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Darin Carroll - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Alan Counter - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Nancy Cox - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Joseph Derisi - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Donald Ganem - Consultant/advisor, Donna Garland - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Julia Gerberding - Consultant/advisor, William Gimson - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Stuart Grassian - Consultant/advisor, Michael Hauge - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Joan Kavanaugh - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Richard Klomp - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Tom Ksiazek - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Kathryn Madden - Consultant/advisor, Peter Meineck - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Joel Montgomery - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Steve Ostroff - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Ann Pellegrini - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Paul Rota - Consultant/advisor, Dixie Snider - Consultant/advisor, Dr. Terry Tumpey - Consultant/advisor, Chris Vogler - Consultant/advisor, Nathan Wolfe - Consultant/advisor, Tracy Torme - Co-producer, Jeffrey Wetzel - Co-producer, Michael Kaplan - Costume Designer, Robert Mata - Costume Designer, Jeffrey Wetzel - First Assistant Director, Francis Lawrence - Director, Vic Armstrong - Second Unit Director, Wayne Wahrman - Editor, Michael Tadross - Executive Producer, Erwin Stoff - Executive Producer, Bruce Berman - Executive Producer, Dana Goldberg - Executive Producer, Hal Gaba - Executive Producer, Brian B. Badie - Hair Styles, Pierce E. Austin - Hair Styles, Paul Kramer - Location Manager, Robert T. Striem - Location Manager, James Newton Howard - Composer (Music Score), Winston Quitasol - Composer (Music Score), Sarah Mattes - Composer (Music Score), Judy Murdock - Makeup, Gloria Grant - Makeup, Christien Tinsley - Makeup Special Effects, Mike Marino - Makeup Special Effects, Bruce MacCallum - Camera Operator, David Thompson - Camera Operator, Naomi Shohan - Production Designer, Andrew Lesnie - Cinematographer, Andrew Lesine - Cinematographer, Erwin Stoff - Producer, Akiva Goldsman - Producer, David Heyman - Producer, Neal H. Moritz - Producer, James Lassiter - Producer, Joel Iwataki - Recording, Alan Meyerson - Recording, Eddie Delena - Recording, Mike Maggi - Special Effects, Jeff Brink - Special Effects, Charlie Simunek - Special Effects, Frank Barranca - Special Effects, Joel Iwataki - Sound Mixer, Alan Meyerson - Sound Mixer, Eddie Delena - Sound Mixer, Jeremy Peirson - Sound/Sound Designer, John Cenatiempo - Stunts, Dennis Scott - Stunts, Frank Ferrara - Stunts, Jeffrey Lee Gibson - Stunts, Peter Hock - Stunts, Terry Jackson - Stunts, Mark Chadwick - Stunts, Brian Smyj - Stunts, Douglas Crosby - Stunts, David Lomax - Stunts, Joey Box - Stunts, Paul Sklar - Stunts, Blaise Corrigan - Stunts, Jodi Michelle Pynn - Stunts, Victor Chan - Stunts, Craig Jensen - Stunts, Randolph Le Roi - Stunts, Robert Alonzo - Stunts, Jill Brown - Stunts, Keith Siglinger - Stunts, Bob Colletti - Stunts, Glen Yrigoyen - Stunts, William Cote - Stunts, Scott Armstrong - Stunts, Stephen Pope - Stunts, Peter Epstein - Stunts, Tina McKissick - Stunts, Shawnna Thibodeau - Stunts, Cheryl Lewis - Stunts, Ray Abbott - Stunts, Christiana Blain - Stunts, Wayne Cerullo - Stunts, Angelina Cruz - Stunts, Erik M. Solky - Stunts, Darren Cerullo - Stunts, Mark Aaron Wagner - Stunts, Kevin Scott - Stunts, Jared Burke - Stunts, Nicole Callender - Stunts, Carmel Macklin - Stunts, Stephen Mann - Stunts, Paul Marini - Stunts, Jeremy Sample - Stunts, Aaron Vexler - Stunts, Caroline Vexler - Stunts, Chris Place - Stunts, Thomas Place - Stunts, Ákos Schenek - Stunts, James Armstrong - Stunts, Nina Almond Armstrong - Stunts, Mike Burke - Stunts, Aja Frary - Stunts, Shane Geraghty - Stunts, Gabriel Ryan Hansen - Stunts, Peter Klein - Stunts, Todd Rentchler - Stunts, Jason Silvis - Stunts, D.J. Surgent - Stunts, Vic Armstrong - Stunts Coordinator, Cort Hessler III - Stunts Coordinator, Wendy Armstrong - Stunts Coordinator, Samuel Glen - Technical Advisor, Michael Tadross - Unit Production Manager, Justin Moritt - Unit Production Manager, Joyce Hooper Corrington - Screen Story, Akiva Goldsman - Screenwriter, Mark Protosevich - Screenwriter, Brian Pearson - Second Unit Director Of Photography, Janek Sirrs - Visual Effects Supervisor, Jim Berney - Visual Effects Supervisor, Greg Liegey - Visual Effects Supervisor, John Thomas - Sound Effects Editor, James Morioka - Sound Effects Editor, Jason W. Jennings - Sound Effects Editor, Steve Berens - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Susan R. Hanson - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Berens' Animals of Distinction - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Ron Gress - Matte Artist, Ting Lo - Matte Artist, Jon Hanzelka - Model Effects, Brandon Harr - Model Effects, Carol McConnaughey - Publicist, Matt Corrigan - Creature Effects, John Lee - CGI Effects, Matthew Cordner - CGI Effects, Aaron McComas - CGI Effects, Carolyn Uy - CGI Effects, Todd Boyce - CGI Effects, Andy Gauvreau - CGI Effects, Joseph Pepper - CGI Effects, Steve Blakey - CGI Effects, Jay Banks - CGI Effects, John Michael Courte - CGI Effects, John Hughes - CGI Effects, Michael Lafave - CGI Effects, Scott Palleiko - CGI Effects, Eric Sanford - CGI Effects, Bjorn Zipprich - CGI Effects, Patrick Tatopoulos - Creature Design, Gregor Tavenner - First Assistant Camera, Bobby Mancusso - First Assistant Camera, George Patsos - Key Grip, Dani Morrow - Layout, David Weizer - Layout, David Oldon - Music Editor, Joshua Levinson - Post Production Supervisor, Terry Ellen Ladin - Production Coordinator, Drew Tidwell - Production Coordinator, Jenny Fulle - Production Supervisor, Martin Lasowitz - Properties Master, Rick Kline - Re-Recording Mixer, Skip Lievsay - Re-Recording Mixer, Jeremy Peirson - Re-Recording Mixer, Ana Maria Quintana - Script Supervisor, Peter Soldo - Second Assistant Director, Conrad V. Brink - Special Effects Coordinator, David Thompson - Steadicam Operator, Barry Wetcher - Still Photographer, Skip Lievsay - Supervising Sound Editor, Mike Chambers - Visual Effects Producer, Lisa Maher - Visual Effects Producer, Crys Forsyth-Smith - Visual Effects Producer, Byron Wilson - ADR Editor, Thomas J. O'Connell - ADR Mixer, Jen Day - Art Department Assistant, Joseph K. IV Kepple - Art Department Assistant, Rob Muia - Art Department Assistant, Michael Riolo - Art Department Assistant, Barbara Matis - Assistant Art Director, Larry M. Gruber - Assistant Art Director, Peter Baran - Assistant Art Director, Dan Kuchar - Assistant Art Director, Elizabeth Shelton - Assistant Costume Designer, Marian Moon Toy - Assistant Costume Designer, Bill Almeida - Assistant Chief Lighting Technician, Damon Gordon - Assistant Location Manager, Marcellin Sterner - Assistant Location Manager, Graham Walker Goetz - Assistant Location Manager, Adam Baer - Assistant Location Manager, Michael Jortner - Assistant Properties, Todd Harris - Assistant Sound Editor, P.K. Hooker - Assistant Sound Editor, Gus Magalios - Best Boy Grip, Sonny Rea - Best Boy Grip, Mo Flam - Chief Lighting Technician, Joseph S. Alfieri - Construction Coordinator, Barbara J. Hause - Costumes Supervisor, Marissa Kaplan - DGA Intern, Byron Wilson - Dialogue Editor, Keith Bunting - Dolly Grip, Michael Yurich - Dolly Grip, Meredith Jacobson Marciano - Extra Casting, Randy Bricker - First Assistant Editor, John Roesch - Foley Artist, Allyson Moore - Foley Artist, Christopher Flick - Foley Editor, Ryan Juggler - Foley Editor, Mark Selemon - Greensman, Lawrence Amanuel - Greensman, Jeff Debell - Greensman, Penelope L. Laughman - Key Costumer, Cici Campbell - Key Hairstylist, Toy R. Van Lierop - Key Make-up, Gerald A. Detitta - Leadman, Tommy Bernard - Personal Assistant, Jadi McCurdy - Personal Assistant, Darren Johnson - Personal Assistant, Erin Palin - Personal Assistant, Casey Madigan - Personal Assistant, Jon Shaw - Personal Assistant, Roslyn Aronowitz - Personal Assistant, Jana Babatunde-Bey - Personal Assistant, Paul Cabbad - Personal Assistant, Carlos Constanzo - Personal Assistant, Kenny Daniels - Personal Assistant, Dave Fleming - Personal Assistant, Vincent Giarratano - Personal Assistant, Jamal Hill - Personal Assistant, Pedro Honess - Personal Assistant, Mitchell Kase - Personal Assistant, Kim Lisner - Personal Assistant, Ryan McDonald - Personal Assistant, K.C. McMahon - Personal Assistant, Nicole Means - Personal Assistant, Davin Michaels - Personal Assistant, Andy Mower - Personal Assistant, Karin Nowicki - Personal Assistant, Kamal Robinson - Personal Assistant, Day Ryan - Personal Assistant, Ralph "Bam" Saunders - Personal Assistant, Jeff Solano - Personal Assistant, Patrick Stegall - Personal Assistant, Cary Stuart - Personal Assistant, Joe Wehmeyer - Personal Assistant, Tina Yeh - Personal Assistant, Charbel Youssef - Personal Assistant, Frank Zurich - Personal Assistant, Anamarie Gonzaga - Production Accountant, David M. Dunlap - Second Assistant Camera, Rebecca Venezia - Second Assistant Camera, Scott Tinsley - Second Assistant Camera, Julian Delacruz - Second Assistant Camera, Wayne Paul - Second Assistant Camera, Joseph Aspromonti - Second Second Assistant Director, Cat Crosby - Set Dresser, Rick Nelson - Set Dresser, Kevin Brink - Set Dresser, Dylan Sheridan - Set Dresser, Rob Bushow - Set Dresser, Peter Clores - Transportation Captain, Steven R. Hammond - Transportation Captain, Christina Schaich - Transportation Coordinator, Sony Pictures Imageworks - Visual Effects, CIS Hollywood - Visual Effects, George De Titta, Jr. - Set Decorator, Richard Matheson - Book Author, Brendan O'Brien - Cable Person, Tomkats, Inc. - Craft Service/Catering, Henry's International Cuisine - Craft Service/Catering, Mary Jo Lang - Foley Mixer, Wes Benton - Motion Control Camera, Matt Madden - Motion Control Camera, Candice Alger - Motion Control Camera, Rich Suchevits - Motion Control Camera, Greg Philyaw - Motion Control Camera, Carol Madrigal - Motion Control Camera, Pawel Biel - Motion Control Camera, Jennifer Davis - Motion Control Camera, Giant Studios - Motion Control Camera, Justin Madden - Motion Control Camera, Sarah Mattes - Motion Control Camera, Molly Bennet - Production Secretary, Natalie Damico - Production Secretary, Tod A. Maitland - Production Sound Mixer, Bob Broder - Set Medic/First Aid, Nils Johnson - Video Assist, May Kuckro - Visual Effects Editor, Kevin J. Jolly - Visual Effects Editor, Bronwyn Shields - Visual Effects Editor, Pacific Title - Title Design, Amiee Clark - Art Department Coordinator, Joel Dougherty - First Assistant Sound Editor, Janette Vecchiarelli - Assistant to the Director, Tim Monick - Dialect Coach, Gary Glushon - Producer's Assistant, Max Boyer - Producer's Assistant, Marasan Festoff - Producer's Assistant, Cira Sims - Producer's Assistant, Joe Jackman - Compositor, Walter F. Hyneman - Compositor, Enrique Munoz - Compositor, Matthew George Rampias - Compositor, Dan Lavender - Compositor, Chad Belteau - Compositor, Blaine Kennison - Compositor, Donny Rausch - Compositor, John Sasaki - Compositor, Sharmishtha Sohoni - Compositor, Lisa Deaner - Compositor, Doug Forrest - Compositor, Todd B. Mesher - Compositor, Fish Essenfeld - Compositor, Laide Agunbiade - Compositor, Serena Naramore - Compositor, Christia Boudman - Compositor, Tony Diep - Compositor, Rick Shick - Compositor, Bonjin Byun - Compositor, Grady Campbell - Compositor, Amy Christensen - Compositor, Robert W. Crain - Compositor, Nika Dunne - Compositor, Patrick Finley - Compositor, Frederick Gaudreau - Compositor, Harry Gundersen - Compositor, Todd T. Hara - Compositor, T. Karthik - Compositor, Rita Kunzler - Compositor, Joosten Kuypers - Compositor, Christine J. Lo - Compositor, Pavan Kumar Potluri - Compositor, Jonathan S. Swartz - Compositor, Marko Vukovic - Compositor, Nancey S. Wallis - Compositor, Piotrek Krawczyk - Compositor, Robb Gardner - Compositor, Steven Hansen - Compositor, Ryan Rogers - Compositor, P. Balaji - Rotoscope Artist, Ravi Ram Bhimaraju - Rotoscope Artist, Dhiraj Brahma - Rotoscope Artist, Marcus Carter - Rotoscope Artist, Kimberly Headstrom - Rotoscope Artist, M. Jegan - Rotoscope Artist, S. Gopi Krishna - Rotoscope Artist, M. Shanmugasundaram - Rotoscope Artist, Ian Doss - Matchmove Artist, Eric Peterson - Matchmove Artist, P. Balaji - Painter (digital), Ravi Ram Bhimaraju - Painter (digital), Dhiraj Brahma - Painter (digital), Marcus Carter - Painter (digital), Kimberly Headstrom - Painter (digital), M. Jegan - Painter (digital), S. Gopi Krishna - Painter (digital), M. Shanmugasundaram - Painter (digital), Regina Graves - Assistant Set Decorator, Christine Mayer - Assistant Set Decorator, John William Corrington - From Screenplay by, Joyce Hooper Corrington - From Screenplay by, Takahide Kawakami - Second Unit Second Assistant Director| I Am Kalam (2010 Film), I Am Josh Polonski's Brother (2001 Film) | |
| I Am Love (2009 Film), I Am Nick Robinson (2007 Film) |
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