Thursday, December 27, 2007

'I Am Legend' Movie

Watch the trailer: http://movies.aol.com/movie/i-am-legend-2007/23760/main

Once again, this movie is based on another novel (by Richard Matheson) I haven't read.  Next week I'm getting the unabridged Audio Book with a Borders' discount coupon. After I hear it, I'll compare it to the movie while both are still fresh in my mind. For now I must say this movie was good and I see why it's clobbering the competition at the box office.  There are two earlier versions, the first with Vincent Price: http://www.amazon.com/Last-Man-Earth-Vincent-Price/dp/B000WC3A0I/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1198794373&sr=1-1

and a better second one with Charlton Heston that's closer to the latest one: http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Man-Anna-Aries/dp/B000P0J0BU/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_b

I listened to the Audio Book version and it was pretty good. The main difference is that the  book's creatures are more like vampires. The latest movie avoids that premise but they are scary enough.  A lot of money has been spent here and it's all on the screen. There's plenty of suspense and last minute nerve-wracking escapes by Will Smith who spends a lot of time talking to himself and his dog. Oh yes there's a dog in the novel but he's used differently here. That goes too for the woman he meets. There If you're looking for edge-of-your-seat thrills, this movie will not disappoint. Smith gives a good performance since he has to almost carry the film on his shoulders with lots of dialogue and stunts amid the high tech digital effects. You feel the desolation and loneliness he feels.

I Am Legend is probably the biggest hit of recently-released movies. A few weeks before it opened,  I read an article listing actors including Smith who are considered overpaid because their movies don't make big profits. Well guess who's laughing all the way to the bank? As someone once said, success is the best revenge....

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This reminds me so much of Charlton Heston's 1971 Omega Man. Are both the movies based on the same book? Anyway, as a kid I loved the idea of, being the only person left on the world - and having everything left for me. As an adult, I know I'd die of loneliness in a month.

I love this movie for the general concept. It's done ok by Will Smith. I can see why critics may give it a C but I don't care.

Anonymous said...

This reminds me so much of Charlton Heston's 1971 Omega Man. Are both the movies based on the same book? Anyway, as a kid I loved the idea of, being the only person left on the world - and having everything left for me. As an adult, I know I'd die of loneliness in a month.

I love this movie for the general concept. It's done ok by Will Smith. I can see why critics may give it a C but I don't care.