"a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing."

Rating: 6/10 (23 July 2012)

Lavishly produced and beautifully acted by Will Smith, "I am Legend" is but a shadow of the seminal novel by classic fantasy/science fiction writer Richard Matheson ("What Dreams May Come," "A Stir of Echos," "The (Incredible) Shrinking Man" and "Bid Time Return ("Somewhere in Time)". "...Legend," unfortunately more closely follows "The Omega Man" than "The Last Man on Earth," the first film based upon Matheson's novel. Matheson conceived of a world-wide plague which not only killed EVERYONE but Dr. Robert Neville, it turned the undead into vampires. Thus, Neville's dual mission was to rid the world of vampires AND find a cure for the plague of which he was the only one immune. Since Neville was "bringing peace" to the undead, his actions were far more "justifiable" than Heston's ("The Omega Man) or Smith's ("I am Legend"). However, Neville learns many of the "vampires" he was killing were actually plague sufferers; and, among those who survived, Neville was a horrific "legend," not a saintly one.
While "I am Legend" is much superior to "Omega Man" in dramatic terms, the plot holes are nearly as horrific as the plot. WHO set the "booby trap" for Neville? WHY did Anna or anyone else NOT respond to Neville's short wave transmission? WHY did the "head ghoul" take so much interest in Neville's latest human experiment? While I understand the last question is answered in the deleted scenes, movies must stand on their own narrative or be rightly criticized. I would love to see a "Director's cut" in order to ascertain whether or not these plot holes were closed. However, my primary criticism of the film (i.e., that Matheson's original theme has been turned on its head) would still apply.
"I am Legend" is impressive to look at and to savor Will Smith's fine performance; but, it is otherwise shallow. In this exercise of Matheson's classic, life really is but "...a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing."
I give "I am Legend" a weak "6".