“I Am Legend” Makes Box-Office History

Perhaps one of the most anxiously awaited movies hit theaters on December 14. I Am Legend, based on the novel written by Richard Matheson, has been produced for the third time. The previews showing clips of this movie was not revealing like Spider-Man 3 but it did not show much. However, it was enough for movie-goers to sit on the edge of their seat. Anxiety filled the air on the day of its release and many shows were sold out throughout the country. In the first weekend alone, Legend grossed a record-breaking $76.5 million. Passing “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “King Kong”, and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, I Am Legend had become the biggest December opening in history. Also, Legend earned more money than the following four movies combined!

The movie begins with a news interview Dr. Kripper (Emma Thompson) who is speaking about a scientific breakthrough that she and a team of scientists have achieved. She has taken the Measles virus and genetically altered it so that it only attacks cancerous cells. The treatment has proven to be 100% effective on 10,109 clinical trials. The news anchor asks, “So you have actually cured cancer?”. “Yes. Yes, we have,” claims Dr. Kripper. But the next scene proves her statement wrong as we go back in present day, which is three years after the interview. We learn that a virus known as KV (Kripper Virus), had a kill rate of 90%. Over 9% were infected but did not die. Less than 1% remained completely immune to the virus, but were hunted and killed. Now, there remains only one immune human on Earth…
Lt. Col. Robert Neville is a brilliant virologist who just happens to be the last human on Earth. Alone for three years, his people skills are obviously rusty and he shows it during the film. However, Neville has a companion: “Man’s Best Friend” (ironic, huh), Sam. Sam is a three-year-old German Shepherd who was once belonged to Neville’s daughter, Marley. During the day, Neville and Sam gather food, exercise, and hunt. Also, he spends time in his laboratory in the basement of his home, in which he attempts to develop an anti-virus for KV. But at night, his objective is to survive as nocturnal “vampire-zombies” (a.k.a. “dark seekers”) roam the city, hungry for whoever is still alive.

“My name is Robert Neville. I am a survivor living in New York City. I am broadcasting on all AM frequencies. I will be at the South Street Seaport everyday at mid-day, when the sun is highest in the sky. If you are out there… if anyone is out there… I can provide food, I can provide shelter, I can provide security. If there’s anybody out there… anybody… please. You are not alone.”

I Am Legend has the best special effects that I have ever seen! When picturing a mental image of Manhattan, you see traffic, crowds of people, tourists, and lights. In Legend, you see none of this. You see abandoned cars that are rusting, weeds growing through concrete streets, weathered signs, an occasional deer, a demolished Brooklyn Bridge, and so much that you wouldn’t see unless the world is ending. One scene of the movie cost $5 million to produce, the most expensive scene to date in New York City.
I Am Legend is a science fiction movie but has a wide range of thematic elements. It was very touching, seeing the bond that Neville had with his dog. It was sad and depressing when seeing flashbacks of what happened when the virus spread. It made some people giggle at some of the jokes that Will Smith cracked at multiple times in the movie. But most of all, Legend will keep you at the edge of your seat and with your hands cupped over your ears. When you know something bad is going to happen…BOOM!…it happens and you still jump out of your seat.
After viewing this movie, it made me raise some questions.

• What did Neville do as the infected stayed trapped in Manhattan?
• Flashbacks leave big gaps. Why so? (One minute we’re finding out there is a cure for cancer, the next we find out how the infected are quarantined)
• Why can’t the “dark seekers” find Neville while they roam the city at night?

Overall, I thought I Am Legend was an excellent movie. It had the thematic elements that viewers are looking for, the special effects that keep getting better but it lacks answering the simple questions that viewers have. Will Smith had one of his best performances ever and played his character very well. Legend is definitely worth watching again so look out for it on DVD.

For questions, comments, storyline information, or to submit your rating, contact me at sean@whatsupwakefield.com.

MY RATING: A-