Good Movie

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2007)

I thought this movie was really good - I had no expectations, having never read the book and not having seen the previous movies, I didn't even know what it was about. I thought the suspense was awful (but good!) and sat clenched up for almost the entire movie. I thought the quietness and loneliness was very intense, I kept wanting to get up and go outside to take a break for a minute, but didn't want to miss anything. I appreciated that although it was a zombie/vampire movie, it didn't have bucket loads of gore in every scene AND was surprised that it was enjoyable on an intellectual level.
On the other hand, my husband loves gore and zombies and was disappointed that there wasn't more of it. He had really liked The Omega Man and thought I am Legend was not as good. But he did enjoy it, especially cinematography and scenes of New York and didn't think the zombies looked too bad. Part of me wanted a little more of the back story, too, but I appreciated the "less is more" aspect. I really don't like it when movies try to explain TOO much and then become really boring or have a bunch of gigantic plot holes. From reading the other reviews, the book sounds really good and I think I will read it. I would have given the movie 10/10 if the ending had been better, but it didn't really make any sense - religious beliefs, grenade, safe zone unrealistic, etc. The original book sounds like it would have been good enough to use as the movie's plot - but who knows why Hollywood does what it does. Ps Will Smith did a good job - I can't imagine many other "popular" actors of today doing as well - he was a good choice.