Smith faces zombies in ‘I Am Legend’
It’s about time someone made an epic zombie film.
“I Am Legend,” based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same title, offers a fresh perspective to the cornucopia of end-of-the-world-zombie-thrillers (and spoofs) released over the past few years.
The story begins in the same way as most of these films: deadly disease wipes out most of the world’s population and transforms the rest into mindless blood-thirsty killers except for one man who may hold the key to the survival of the human race. Sound familiar?
This is actually not the first time this novel was adapted for film; in fact it is the third adaptation. The first film titled “The Last Man on Earth” was an Italian film released in 1964, followed by the more popular “Omega Man” starring Charlton Heston several years later.
Will Smith fills Heston’s shoes as Robert Neville, the scientist originally assigned to find a cure for the disease. The film sets Neville and his dog in a post-apocalyptic New York City as they attempt to locate other immune humans during the day and survive the onslaught of diseased killers at night, all while Neville tries to harness his immune blood for a cure.
Smith provides a Tom Hanks-esque (“Cast Away”) performance as the lone survivor, except that Smith has a dog to act with compared to Hanks’ volleyball. Neville is a very dynamic character, which Smith captures perfectly. Although he is a strong-willed, and very resourceful hero, he is also slowly psychologically deteriorating due to being alone for so long. As the story progresses, Smith delves deeper and deeper into this detachment from society and closer to insanity.
The backdrop of an abandoned New York City is equally as stunning as any special effects. Viewing an area which constantly inhabits millions of people, completely barren and completely silent, greatly enhances the circumstances depicted. Beyond this, this empty setting allows for another characteristic of zombie films: the possibility of scary things popping out of scary places unexpectedly. The fact that every scene seems to end abruptly with a loud noise further elevates this uneasy tension.
As far as the zombies themselves, expect more of a vampire-esque appearance in accordance with the original novel. However, “I Am Legend” is as much about the transformation of Smith’s character as it is about his war with these creatures.
Inevitably, “I Am Legend’s” downfalls lie in its genre. Granted, the film was based on a novel, but there were many places the story could have evolved to which would be more intriguing than the typical end-of-the world plot line.
Fortunately, these failings don’t spoil the story as a whole or Smith’s superb performance – or that of canine companion Abbey. If anything, “I Am Legend” cements Smith’s own legendary status as an actor.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Devon Taylor at devon.taylor@colorado.edu
