A compelling story wrapped inside a decent film (CAUTION: Contains spoilers)

Rating: 7/10 (26 December 2007)

I must say, I was expecting this film to be quite the action-thriller after viewing the previews. I have never read the book, but both the book and film certainly contain one of the most elaborate and compelling stories of all time, and therefore because of this, a phenomenal, epic film, must be produced, right? Well, kind of.
To me, I Am Legend is one of those movies that looks really, really good when watching the previews, but when you actually see the movie, it turns out to be just decent but not excellent. The plot is easily one of the most wicked plots a movie has ever had, and the film did indeed deliver on the intense action-sequences and suspense, but I personally didn't think that all of the characters were given enough time to develop an emotional attachment with the audience. If a character, especially a major character, never makes that connection with the viewers, then the character may as well not even exist. Lack of character development is easily one of this film's biggest drawbacks.
Also, most movies, especially sci-fi thrillers with 'perilis' elements to them, have happy endings despite the suspense. I Am Legend didn't have a very happy ending; in fact, the ending left you wanting so much more. Perhaps lack of a more fairy-tale type ending is a stupid thing to complain about, but do you really want to leave your audience feeling down and depressed when it's all over? The fact that Robert Neville, the proverbial hero of the movie, committed suicide to save that woman and child is admirable but horrible. Also, Neville having to kill his only partner, his beloved dog, because she was infected was quite tragic as well. And, what ever happened to his family for crying out loud? Did they die? Were they saved? The movie never makes this very clear either. All that you're left with when it's all said and done is a woman telling you that Neville is a hero because he destroyed all the remaining infected people. Perhaps that wouldn't be so bad if you actually had cared about her and her kid. Neither one of them were featured in the movie long enough for the audience to give a rip about the seemingly only core survivors that had lines in the movie. So, the ending could have been considerably better.
All and all, probably the only major things that held this movie back from being an all-time-epic was its lack of story telling, lack of character development and morbid nature. I understand that horror movies are morbid, but this was really more of a sci-fi suspense thriller with horror elements. Unlike many horror movies, you were able to get emotionally attached to some of the characters and therefore you cared when they were in danger or what have you.
I give this film a 7 out of 10 for some awesome action sequences and phenomenal suspense, I just wish Neville had survived and that he was reunited with his family. It sucked that he wasn't. I would also recommend this movie to anyone who loves explosive action and intense, jump-out-of-your-chair moments, but don't look for tons of character depth or storyline development. I Am Legend is one of those movies that you can go see in the theater and enjoy it, but not necessarily purchase on DVD months later.