CINEMA: I Am Legend

I Am Legend has been on the cards since 1995, when Ridley Scott was set to direct Arnold Schwarzenegger in an adaptation of Richard Matheson’s cult novel of the same name. Twelve years of waiting and the film is finally upon us albeit with different names attached: Francis Lawrence directs while Will Smith stars as Robert Neville, the last man on Earth. This is the fourth incarnation of the story which has seen screen icons Vincent Price and Charlton Heston in the role of Neville, and Mark Dacascos in the role of crappy straight-to-video superstar in I Am Omega.

So has I Am Legend been worth the twelve year wait? Well yes and no. Fans of Matheson’s novel will be disappointed that the film isn’t actually that true to the source material. Rather the film is effectively a remake of The Omega Man which is something of a missed opportunity. What was a meditation on isolation and the internal struggle of the last man on Earth has become a glossy Hollywood production full of external conflict and pop culture references. Underlying human issues, such as the futility of existence, survival, hostility and madness are underplayed in favour of the usual present-day global concerns. However, the biggest mistake the film makes is with the ending. Where the downbeat conclusion of the novel puts the whole story into perspective, the film wraps things up with a tacked-on Hollywood ending which paves the way for an inevitable sequel.

But unlike the storyline, not all is doom and gloom.

Will Smith once again shows that there is more to him than a winning smile and a fast mouth. Here he plays Robert Neville in a way that puts Chuck Heston to shame. Initial reservations on his ability to carry the film are soon put to rest. This is in fact the perfect role for him with his combination of charisma and vulnerability. The intense emotion that he brings to the screen perfectly captures Neville’s torment, and for this alone the film is worth seeing.

I Am Legend also makes excellent use of sound; there is very little orchestral score throughout the film which works wonderfully as when the music does come in it really emphasises what is happening on screen. The majority is quiet and simple, echoing the emptiness of the city. This contrasts well as intense scenes are punctuated by an onslaught of sound, particularly during flashbacks and encounters with the Dark Seekers.

Having previously directed the apocalyptic horror thriller Constantine, Frances Lawrence does a good job of realising a vision of a derelict New York City. The shots of the city are skilfully created and give a real sense of isolation. A lot of the most gut-wrenching moments are actually shot through close-ups on Will Smith. The effect this has is that our focus is drawn to his reaction to events rather than the events themselves.

How much you enjoy the film will depend on your expectations. Taken as an adaptation of the book, I Am Legend doesn’t compare favourably, but taken on its own merits as a big budget Hollywood production the film stakes its claim as the most intriguing blockbuster of the year. Experienced on the biggest screen with the loudest sound, this is an epic film and one that will leave you with something to get your teeth into.     Russell Gomm