In 2001, I discovered the "novella" I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. It completely blew me away -- I remember sitting on my couch all weekend, totally glued to the pages. It instantly became one of my favorite books.
When I heard they were making a new movie version of it, I felt as much worry as excitement, if not more. Hollywood seems to want to ruin everything we hold dear these days. When I heard they'd be using "virus-infected people" instead of vampires, I was even more worried. When I heard Will Smith would be playing Robert Neville, it was like adding insult to injury. I've never been a big Will Smith fan - I thought it was the worst casting decision of all time. I suddenly imagined a Hollywoodized comedy-adventure filled with slo-mo action shots and wise-cracks up the wazoo. And these past few days, I've been seeing early reviews pop up online... Most of them have been negative.
Going into the theater tonight, I was fully prepared to be disappointed.
Turns out..
I. Loved. This. Movie.
Yes, there are things to nitpick. Yes, the ending is very different from the book. Yes, the CGI creatures look a bit too fakey/cheesy at times. But I'll tell ya... this movie has so much character and so much emotion, the minor complaints I had weren't even worth a second thought. For the first time in a long time, I found myself just ENJOYING a movie. Not sitting there dissecting it like some critic on a mission... I just enjoyed it. After a year of mostly disappointing movies (in my opinion), I'm so glad The Mist and I Am Legend came out this month. I feel like I've been yanked out of a movie depression.
I'll admit, I do wish they would've had the daring to go with the book's ending. It's very Twilight Zoney, and for a little while, I kinda thought they might stay true to it... But, that said, I thought the movie's ending was fine. I really do. I didn't leave the theater feeling angry that it was changed. It was an alternate ending.
As for Will Smith, all I can say is this: In the course of an hour and a half, I went from disliking him to thinking he should win an Oscar. He was amazing.
Did I just say that? Yes, I did.
This movie is freaking awesome. I give it the highest possible recommendation. :)
6 comments:
Aha! A Will Smith convert! I love him as an actor. He proved he could really act in Ali and continues to make me giddy with magical-movie delight with every new film. If you had a "Fresh Prince" opinion of him before you should check out some of his movies.
Anyway, can't wait to see I Am Legend tonight! Especially after your review.
I am sure it was better than Alvin and the Chipmunks which I had to sit through with my kids.
UGH.
CE
Thanks for my X MAS card..
We need a Legend Inspired Sketch..
I Will he does I, Robot... Independence Day.. He has some nice SciFi roles..
I respectfully disagree with your take of the ending (and I didn't read the book, but only heard about it second hand). I thought it was great until the girl showed up, and then it started down the "much harder to suspend disbelief" path. My review is here.
My friend (who did read the book) told me afterwards that he was hoping that the girl would do something like drop the vial of blood. He also thought that the fact she didn't know who Bob Marley was supported his belief (until the ending) that the movie was tracking the book. Maybe the DVD will have two endings.
In either case, I do agree that the movie was decent, although I left feeling very unsatisfied with the final 15 minutes. Thanks for your review.
4L, thanks for the response -- Now that I've had a couple days to think about the movie, I do agree that I liked it less once the girl showed up. You pointed out how the fact she didn't know who Bob Marley was supported the belief that the movie might be tracking the book -- exactly my thoughts! During that scene, I actually got really excited, because I thought we'd get the book's ending, or something similar.
Anyway, I do really hope we get an alternate ending on the DVD.. Guess we'll have to see. As the movie stands, I loved it - but I certainly stay true to my belief that the movie would've been better and more daring if it'd followed the book. It feels like it chickened out in that last 15 minutes or so.
i'm looking forward to seeing this...thanks for the review
too much bad CGI
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