Genius that is portrayed "between the lines"

Rating: 10/10 (4 July 2008)

I have often visited IMDb to search reviews and comments about movies I might like to see and have never been compelled to write a review as I am right now about this movie. I keep seeing over and over again how this movie is not up to par with the original novel or how the effects were the only redeemable part of the movie, but I believe that often times what may not be so easy to catch with the eye might have been more easily observed written on paper.
When I walked into the theater I was excited, because I know Will Smith is a great actor, both an ingenious comedian, and can bring heart-wrenching emotion to the big (and small) screen. From the start the movie is set in an apocalyptic scene with an underlying "cure for cancer gone mad" sort of thing. For most of the movie we watch as Smith (who plays Neville, some sort of scientist/doctor)struggle with the absolute isolation and silence, his only companion a dog, and his mentality on the verge of insanity. Smith portrays his character in such a way that we pity him and become attached to his dog as much as his character is. The movie unfolds into his struggle with these "undead", more like people mutated by the cure and who can find their prey by the scent of their blood. It might seem like this is clichéd, but for only one detail that seems oddly at of place and that underlies the story.
Sending radio messages every day, with a stroke of luck one woman and her child found Smith almost killed by the what-you-would-call zombies. It is odd that story seems to take a religious twist, and seems out of place in the plot. It was not until the final closing words that details that seemed so insignificant finally pull the story together. Of course I never read the book, and don't know what the intention of the scriptwriter was, but when the woman at the end met with other survivors saying that Smith's character, Neville, had been their savior, it all made sense.
It seems that the producers had taken a very grown up, and modern twist to the likes of how C.S. Lewis put his rendition of the story of Jesus. I'm not saying that in every aspect Smith's character represents Jesus, but the odd details, especially if one played close attention to the barren New York City. Here are some clues, for one the main plot is set about 1000 days after the incident. That almost 3 years. Around New York City there are signs of Christmas, signifying what event? Near the end what does Smith discover that will save the life of the woman, child, and people that escaped to Vermont. Why is it that there is a single "zombie" that seems to lead the pack? What does Smith have to do to destroy the "zombies"? What is the name of the city in Vermont where the woman and child escape? Answer these questions and you'll start to see a pattern. Probably watching the movie again will give more clues, but do not throw away this movie for what you think might be faults. I believe that all the information you needed was there in front of you, those other details, like back-story, might not be all that necessary.
I give this movie a solid 10, for the great acting, unbelievable special affects, and a solid plot that might need a second look, and some thought, to truly understand its depth.
p.s. Think about the title "I Am..... Legend", where have we heard (part) of that before....