Legend's a Notch Above

Rating: 8/10 (14 December 2007)

As amusing as Will Smith putzing around an abandoned New York City, doing things that you've daydreamed of like picking any random car and driving it around the city or golfing at skyscrapers, or as frightening the shocks Francis Lawrence shows us at just a pace to keep your nails dug into the seat, what sets this apart from say 28 Days Later or Dawn of the Dead, is the humanistic quality among the chaos. I loved the two afore mentioned films, because they were scary and a lot of fun, but I Am Legend offers that with genuine moments that will tug and pull on your heart, and make you feel a way that most zombie movies aren't going to make you feel. I'd like to give a large portion of that credit to Will Smith. If you've seen Ali, and Pursuit of Happiness, you know what a magnetic force Will Smith has turned out to be on the screen. The intensity he paints across the screen, showing us his frustration, pain and loneliness all the while being a hero along side an Indiana Jones. Francis Lawrence who previously directed Constantine, shows his affinity for shock shot direction, pacing the action so you never know when somethings going to jump out at you. Sometimes it's just cheap, and sometimes it's genius. He's a very talented director that I think will take up the camera for several more action/horror/blockbluster movies just as I Am Legend and Constantine (side not, I didn't like Constantine although I thought Lawrence's direction was good for it, but he's improved here.) If the zombie's look a little less than authentic after a while you might consider that a flaw in the whole movie. Don't hesitate to see it if you get the chance. I am telling you, I am Legend doesn't disappoint.