Don't believe the hypocrites

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2008)

I'm not going to lie to the readers of this review. I use the word review I would call it more of a response, my reaction to this art. I'm not going to bring my overall experience of this film down just because If I champion a certain aspect it might make me look uncool in the eyes of other film lovers. I enjoyed I Am Legend. It was one of the first films in a long time that genuinely had me on the edge of my seat with a racing heart at certain points. I thought Will Smith was decent and pulled off his character well. The film was well-shot, well-paced and directed well.
The reason I get so angry with some of the reviews I have read on this site about this movie is how pathetic some people can be. The film is BASED ON the original novel. Therefore, we can deduct that it is an ADAPTATION of the director's perception of the book. It is not a cast iron copy, it is its own story, based on and inspired by the novel. Therefore it should be rated individually on its own merits.
Another point that I'd like to raise is that most people seem peeved about the typical Hollywood 'happy ending.' If the ending was much darker, those same people would be moaning that it was too dark. At the end of the day Hollywood films have a formula, that's what gives them there genre. AND by the way, I thought the ending was strong because it leaves you to imagine what might happen  a strength often only found in the world of novels.
As far as post apocalyptic world films go, I found this film to be realistic (if that is the correct use of the term) and most of all, thought provoking. It challenged me, and that is why I enjoyed it.