Flawed Popcorn Fun

Rating: 6/10 (10 May 2008)

I AM LEGEND (M) Directed by Francis Lawrence Reviewed by Matthew Gunn
Robert Neville (Will Smith) is the last human in New York City, maybe the world. This is, if you don't count thousands of bloodthirsty mutant-zombies as humans.
In 2009 a supposed "miracle cure for cancer" went disastrously wrong, infecting all humans with a deadly virus. Those who didn't die (around 10 percent of the world's population according to Robert's statistics) morphed into crazed monster killing machines. The exception to this rule is, of course, Robert Neville who (quite conveniently) is immune to the virus. Robert is faced with the task of developing a cure for the virus and to save mankind from being wiped from existence.
OK, so it all sounds a bit ridiculous, but I Am Legend may not be all that you expect it to be. There isn't a lot of cliché zombie gore here, nor is Robert Neville your cliché popcorn movie action-hero. The film is all about brain before blood, delving into Neville's psyche as isolation takes a toll on his insanity. Will Smith does a superb job of filling the screen as, for the majority of the film, he is the only actor present.
Besides Smith, I Am Legend's strongest point is its suspense. Director Francis Lawrence intricately fuses light (or lack of light), sound and camera-work to create this edge-of-your-seat tension. At times the on screen action makes you feel as though you are playing a first person shooter video game, and these sequences are not for the faint of heart.
Unfortunately I Am Legend does suffer from a plot that is not only far fetched but predictable plot. Smith is the only thing driving the story towards its inevitable and under whelming ending and although his performance is admirable it fails to distract the viewer from the fact that I Am Legend's storyline is underdeveloped and one dimensional. Oh, and the CGI zombies look dreadful, you would have thought the film's monstrous budget (somewhere in the ballpark of 150 US million) could have taken care of this aspect at least.
Although it has its downfalls I Am Legend is regardless an exciting action-thriller that is as fun is it is unbelievable. My verdict? Rent it out, get some mates around, and you'll surely have a blast.