At long last, there is a cure for cancer ...

And three years after the cure's discovery, the virus created to cure cancer seems to wipe out the whole population. Except for one man, who for some reason is immune to the virus. But even though he seems to be the last man alive, he is by no means alone.

I Am Legend is a campfire tale about that last man on Earth, one who dedicates his life to finding a cure to the virus that has killed billions of people and infected the few remaining survivors who have become raging vampire-like mutants.

Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a soldier and scientist who may be mankind's last best hope for one more chance.

Every single day, he sends out a radio message in search of any survivors who may be hiding and afraid to come out. He has built a research facility in the basement of his house, where he conducts experiments on infected rats in hopes of isolating a cure. Neville is still continuing on with his sole assigned mission since before the plague hit New York City: to reverse the effects of the man-made virus using his own immune blood.

By day, he roams the deserted streets of New York City with his loyal German shepherd, Samantha. But by night, he barricades his house and hides in fear as the mutants run rampant throughout the city. As he works around the clock and convinces himself that he is not going insane, time is running out as the mutants figure out his daily routines and waits for him to make a fatal mistake.

Not since Tom Hanks' lonely performance in Cast Away has there been an actor who can effectively capture the fear and adjustment of living in total isolation. Smith shows courage in spite of the desperate he feels; he talks to himself and to the mannequins he has strategically placed around the city. Smith upgrades the portrayal of a hero from Richard Matheson's 1954 science fiction novel with dramatic tension and touch of humor that was found missing from past movie adaptations, The Last Man on Earth (1964, starring Vincent Price) and The Omega Man (1971, with Charlton Heston). It may not be Smith's greatest performance but it is safe to say that he delivers another satisfying turn to add to his collection of successful sci-fi action roles from Independence Day, Men in Black, and I, Robot.

Former music video director Francis Lawrence (Constantine) introduces a terrifying, post-apocalyptic vision of a city where lethal danger lurks in every shadow. Co-writer Akiva Goldsman's adaptation of Matheson's novel successfully conveys the sense of desperation and loneliness surrounding Neville.

I Am Legend is definitely a fright-filled treat that will leave you covering your eyes and jumping out of your seat. It is a powerful story about a man confronted with the challenge to save the world through exhausting his scientific resources or believing with a simple act of faith. His choice defines the fate of humanity.
Comments (0)