A touching piece, if quite flawed

Rating: 7/10 (18 February 2016)

After Will Smith, who delivers a truly excellent performance as the lonely Robert Neville, New York City becomes the real star of this show, as we see the capital of consumerism abandoned and reduced to ruins ravaged by animals and monsters alike. The film gracefully explores the themes of isolation, loss and determination, and Neville's dog Sam is the most emotionally poignant companion since Wilson in Cast Away.
However, the film falters in its third act, with the introduction of two human survivors who we simply aren't given the time to know or care about, and who actually spoil the tense silence that comes before it. The film's other main flaw is the monsters themselves, who are rather badly digitally produced and simply aren't very frightening. But come the final moments, Robert's story comes to a heart-rending peak, beautifully played by Smith. (I speak of the film's superior alternate ending, not the "God loves us" fodder of the theatrical version.)
I Am Legend is a taut and touching piece, if quite flawed.