A missed opportunity...

Rating: 4/10 (27 January 2011)

I have not read the book but I saw the movie "Omega Man" based on the same book.
I thought the first movie had great potential, but missed the mark in several key areas. I was hoping this remake would take it to the next level. This one makes a total mess of the story resulting in a totally inept action movie with no soul.
The whole feel of being alone in the world, hunter and hunted, the fear of the lurking enemy is missing. Instead we have a car chase through Manhattan, an immature kid/brilliant scientist/terrible strategist main character, totally unnecessary flashbacks to explain the obvious, CGI monsters with super-human physical abilities instead of semi-human mutants, incomprehensible stupidity on the part of the hero, alternating thinking and animal behavior from the "monsters", undeveloped secondary characters and lots of action scenes to cover a lack of "soul".
There were a few promising moments: Will Smith's relationship with his dog and the pain of losing the dog after it saves him... The fearful nights, the hiding and the need to cover up smells and any signs that might lead "them" to him, the tense scene in the dark building when he discovers the hive.
What is missing? Connection with the character. Time showing the "routine" of his life, his "relationship" with his opponents, insight into his quest and why he is a "Legend", his loneliness.
What is botched? The CGI monsters leaping tall building, tearing the roofs off houses, breaking through walls with their heads, acting like wild animals but planning clever traps? Raising attack dogs? Setting up mannequins? Too many action sequences, too many explosions, too many car chases, too much gun play, too much brawn, not enough brains. Secondary characters are wasted, final wrap up feels like a quick exit left and lacks any feeling.