Did anyone involved in this movie bother to read the book?

Rating: 3/10 (6 January 2008)

Not to be TOO geeky here, but still... Hoping it's not considered a spoiler to say "that ain't da book." I know, everyone says that. But ya know, I've seen this movie before, by many titles. Didn't see anything new here, and I expected to, because of the title.
Remember "Stephen King's Lawnmower Man" and how it had nothing in common with the original story except the big red lawnmower? Decent flick, but why call it by the same title, then create an entirely different storyline? The whole point of the book was the main character, (an everyday suburban dweller who for no special reason happened to be the last person alive), realizing that the "monsters" he had been routinely and purposefully exterminating during the day had regained their intelligence and humanity, and HE HIMSELF had became the freak, the "monster", the creeping killer stalking the "normal" people while they slept. Just as we fear the night and the legend of the vampire, so these new beings came to fear HIM during the day, as they built their civilization from the ruins of ours. He was one, to their many, so they were now "normal" and he ***became the legend*** they would pass down to their children in frightening stories. Hence - "I am legend."
So.. um... where is that story line? It had guy's wife dying(human interest,) monsters (scary,) end of the world (scary,) guy killing monsters(action,) guy meets woman (love interest,)more monsters (scary,) big battle (scary action) and a BIG twist at the end. Was that too cerebral for the general movie going public?
Oh - and that 'lone scientist searches for a cure after all civilization has fallen'? Suspension of disbelief has it's limits, even for a horror/sci-fi sucker like me. With all our resources and the mass of people working on it, we haven't cured ebola, AIDS or even the flu. Bur this highly educated, intelligent guy really thinks he'll somehow cure this all by himself in his basement? Easier to believe in zombies.
I don't see how this movie is any different than a hundred other "end of the world" horror/action flicks. Except for the creatures' sunlight problem, this was just another Resident Evil/28 Days/you name it generic zombie movie. I really did want to believe it possible to make a such a simple, yet effective story. Instead they dumbed it down until there was nothing left. How sad, and how predictable. Shame.