Lost potential in being a 'legend'

Rating: 5/10 (29 January 2011)

After my first viewing of I am Legend, i was left thinking about what it was i actually watched. Then after a second analysis i realised that the film makers had such a fantastic idea for a movie, developed from Richard Matheson's novel, but they failed to utilise it to its best potential.
The film in set in the city of New York, years after a plague has killed most of the humanity and the rest that remain have been transformed into, what can only be described as monsters. You can feel the sense of isolation, and as the film carries on you feel the desperation that Robert Neville is experiencing.
The cinematography is admirable, with the computer generated scenes which depict a derelict and uninhabited New York. Quite frankly these scenes shown at the start of the film were chilling, as you see are witnessing what should be a busy and buzzing city turned into a city of ruin.
Will Smith should be commended for his performance. He single handedly carried this movie along as Robert Neville, the sole survivor who only has his daughter's pet dog Sam for company. Will Smith's delivers not only a convincing performance, but he is also very moving, and as an audience, you begin to feel what he feels. The flashback sequences also provide depth to the character. The juxtaposition between how Robert was pre-apocalypse New York and post-apocalypse New York, creates a sympathetic feeling amongst an audience.
Although I am Legend started off with a strong and powerful narrative, with the potential to be one of the better 21st Century apocalypse films, it soon dwindled towards the end. The film had become very interesting and frightening as the 'monsters' became intelligent and were setting Robert up in traps similar to the ones he was setting for them. But unfortunately thats were it ended. I feel that there was more room for development here, but instead the film makers brought it to a sudden close, which as a viewer made me feel inadequate. Although i have not read Richard Matheson's novel I am Legend yet, i only hope that it is more established than Francis Lawerence's portrayal is.
I can't remember the last time that a film has made me this frustrated. It had content to be a great movie of all time, but when it came down to it, I am Legend became a disappointment.