New perspective on the last human

Rating: 7/10 (19 January 2008)

I was quite convinced, "I Am Legend" would be a pretty bad movie, before I went to see it.
I knew "The Omega Man" and I really liked it. So I thought, why does Hollywood produce just another remake of a beautiful film? And I think, there are definitely too many remakes and far too many part two's. And most remakes do not match the originals, for e.g. "The Time Machine".
But "I am Legend" IS different. It focuses on the main characters emotions. And these emotions are rather credible. Will Smith's play is just outstanding. He makes the audience like Neville, and suffer with him.
OK, they use all storyboard-tricks to achieve this effect. To have a dog as second main character, a dog as only and true friend of Neville, well, that captures the viewer's heart. If such is done well, it is fine, and it is done well in this film.
The fight against the virus victims, the "vampires", is not the main theme. These monsters are adding the fear and despair to the story. But this Neville is not running through the city (as did the Omega Man), shooting creatures wherever he meets them. No, this Neville is afraid. He captures them, but he fears them.
Up to the end "I Am Legend" is great entertainment. It has strong emotional moments, even some very quite moments. And all this is convincing.
Does it have flaws? Oh yes. The cgi is not very good. And the "vampires" are a disaster! If the vampires had been actors, humans, it would have been just fine. But no, nowadays one has to use computers. But if you use cgi, you got to be good at it. The creatures in "I Am Legend" suck! Costs it a star. And the movie ignores the confrontation between Neville and the "leader" of the vampires. It is there, but the personal dimension of this fight is just depicted rudimentary.
Overall, very entertaining.