DVD Review: I Am Legend

Robert Neville is a brilliant scientist but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable incurable and man-made. Somehow immune Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City and maybe the world. For three years Neville has faithfully sent out daily radio messages desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. But he is not alone. Mutant victims of the plague — The Infected — lurk in the shadows… watching Neville’s every move… waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind’s last best hope Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But he knows he is outnumbered… and quickly running out of time.

Review:
It’s another superb performance by Will Smith. In I Am Legend, Smith plays Robert Neville, the last man on earth. The catch is that he is anything but alone. Neville is a military virologist who is somehow immune to an incurable and unstoppable virus that has taken over Manhattan leaving it desolated.

Humans can no longer stand in the sunlight and crave blood, much like vampires. So when night falls, Neville must lock himself away and conceal himself from the terrors that come out. Driven by the sole mission of finding a cure to this plague, Neville tries to keep from slipping up and making mistakes that could cost him his life.

While Will Smith is solo in this movie for nearly three quarters of the 100 minutes, the fear that keeps you on the edge of your seat is the suspense of knowing that Neville is far from alone. I’m not sure that I totally bought into the almost superhuman abilities of the “nightseekers”, but I certainly saw the realistic potential of the situation the film depicted. Also, I think I would have found the creatures a bit more frightening if they had been done with real people and makeup and not CGI. All of these things are minor though and certainly aren’t major issues.

The movie is actually based on a novel written in 1954 by Richard Matheson, since its release there have been three film adaptations. However, none of the previous versions come close to touching I Am Legend. It’s important to remember that the film is an adaptation and therefore differs greatly from the book. That aside, one cannot argue that this is a fantastic movie. Easily one of the best films of 2007, and a must have for any fan of quality cinema.

I Am Legend is available on March 18,2007 on DVD, Blu-ray Hi-Def, and HD DVD.

Review by Emma Loggins

Grade: A-
Official site: http://iamlegend.warnerbros.com
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