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Will Smith plays Robert Neville, by all appearances the only non-zombified survivor in a post-apocalyptic New York City. The first two thirds of the movie simply follow his day to day life, and while this sounds rather tedious these scenes provide for the most enthralling part of the movie. Ominous panoramic shots of Central Park and Time Square with crops growing and tall grass paint the motif of nature reclaiming the big city. These solipsistic scenes are punctuated by flashbacks of an evacuation, lending some depth to the spooky emptiness.
Sadly this mystique is lost in the final third of the movie - while still suspenseful, the film becomes more sentimental, taking away from aura of the unknown and simple life that took place in the start of the film. Visuals too are at times stunning, but these moments are only found in the shots of the scenery, the villains leap out only as a generic, pasty CGI creation.
Fortunately, whether it's aliens trying to destroy the earth, robots trying to enslave mankind, or a virus that turns us into vampires, Will Smith always has the ability to defy a stereotypical role, and he doesn't disappoint here. An average movie salvaged by the star quality of its leading man and the eerie landscape shots.
"I am Legend" dir. by Francis Lawrence is currently showing at City Screen.
Will Smith made this film, I thought his acting in some parts was brilliant. And that of his dog... give the German Shepherd an oscar.
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