Could have been better... but wasn't bad.

Rating: 8/10 (16 December 2007)

Will Smith shines in this Sci-Fi "Cast Away" role, playing a noble man whose sanity is wearing in a few spots. He holds this movie on his shoulders with his own brand of charm and empathy. By melding his performances from "Independence Day" and "Pursuit of Happiness", he creates a character that makes the evacuated NYC seem filled with life.
The script is tight, smart, and engaging knowing when and how to play with the audiences emotions. The script doesn't believe the audience is stupid by aiming low, but instead treats the audience with intellectual respect which results in storytelling that always moving forward without a movement of boredom even in the less action packed scenes. This 2 hour movie is the first blockbuster in awhile that doesn't drag on. Because of all its great aspects, the movie is easily forgiven for its bible pounding pro-Christian themes.
Where the movie fails is in the direction. Coming off of "Constantine", Francis Lawrence looked like he could be the next Guillermo del Toro, and very well still could be. (This could also explain why he got the job on the film... see Fun Stuff trivia section) However, he made a few, but very key, poor choices and couldn't pull good performances out of his supporting, albeit unknown, cast. The major complaint about this "Cast Away" meets "30 Days of Night" blockbuster is that when we finally come across the zombie vampires, we don't see things-that-go-bump-in-the-night. Instead we see a CG representation of the things-that-go-bump-in-the-night. And as advanced computer technology is (and increasing becoming), it still can't replace the ethos and pathos one feels for a flesh and blood actor. The villain(s) never draw us in because of their inorganic quality. This caused the film to simply be a blockbuster spectacle rather than an iconic film.
However, Lawrence's pacing was very good never dragging, and the action sequences were gripping, and many left the theater still unnerved with the fear instilled by his work on the big screen.
It's a must see if you are interested or curious. 8 out of 10.