Lawrence has potential

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2008)

Think of it this way: "I Am Legend" is what "28 Days Later" was supposed to be. Almost the same premise and the same idea of having a deserted city, except that "Legend" has a higher budget, bigger and better scenes and superb acting.
Will Smith carries the whole emotional weight of the story, and he's great. He doesn't use his "funny kid-friendly rapper" act, but a genuine and realistic performance, almost Oscar worthy (Daniel Day Lewis already had his statue, and Smith really deserves his).
As for the rest of the characters, they were OK. The dog was a good companion for Neville, and I did almost cry when he had to be sacrificed, although I would have shot him before he could turn into a night seeker. The girl and the boy were good characters, but we see little of them, ant not enough to feel really connected with them. But it's not their story, it's Neville, so it's not really that bad.
James Newton Howard's score was good, although it was wise to not use too much of it, as the danger and suspense is more visceral without any music. Still, the percussion and lyrical moments were quite good.
Francis Lawrence has potential. Coming from directing music videos and the ghastly "Constantine", he has proved to handle an emotional story with a huge budget and not screw it up. The empty New York shots were beautiful, although, as it happens with modern CGI, the effects look fake.
Akiva Goldsman writes an excellent script. Although I don't understand why would he write a script with such a Christian undertone while writing the screenplay for "Da Vinci Code". But still, the Christian message is great. Not like "Left Behind: The Movie", where the script actually sucks and the message is so in your face but very badly handled. In "Legend", the Christian statements and biblical references are perfectly blended in with the action and drama. "It's God's plan" is a forward and bold statement, and it's carried very well. My favorite quote is "God didn't do this. We did", a nice and swift punch against all those people who say they're "angry with God". And of course, the references to Jesus (his blood and his death at the end saves the rest of the world) are great.
Overall, this is one of the greatest movies of the past year. I see almost no flaws, or at least, no real flaws (goofs or continuity errors don't count). And Francis Lawrence has proved to be quite good. It would be wise of him if he directs a low budget more domestic film, but still, he's on the good way. He's not a generic director.