DVD : I Am Legend [2007]

Rating: - Don't watch if you over-analyse things!
I found the first part of this movie quite engaging, I was able to overlook the plot holes as the partnership between Smith and the dog was so endearing. However, mid-way through the movie the star is lost and then everything gets a little too far-fetched. For one thing the city is riddled with all white monsters who are apparently mindless yet can train their apparently mindless dogs and supposedly clear the streets of cars and corpses as the place is pretty clean. The guy is trying to find an antidote to the disease yet doesn't have any strongholds in libaries, labs or even a university - preferring to trial in his basement. There are so many unexplained happenings that this review would turn into a rant to explain them all, the dog is a super star but the film just didn't live up to the hipe.

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Rating: - Not too bad but guess what... Will Smith saves the world again!
I find it hard to enjoy any film Mr Smith stars in anymore. Because you know that somehow, he will end up saving the world - again. (Exception -Persuit of Happiness EXCELLENT ORIGINAL FILM)

Its a nice enough film, if you've seen 28days and 28weeks later, its the same kind of thing, but in set in USA, and doesn't quite work as well. Maybe thats because it is just too similar to our British version - same virus!?! - and looks like a lame plot copy.

All in all, it is worth a look. Try not to look into it too closely - I dont think they were aiming for Oscars when they made this - there are some glaring errors throughout (like when the rage dogs attack his dog, the rage humans dont seem to bothered in attacking an injured Mr Smith).

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Rating: - Could have been much better (SPOILERS!)
The first half of this film is a promising, last guy left after the apocalypse type of thing. Well shot, with the scenes of deserted New York quite errie,and Will Smith acting quite well. The background to the viral outbreak is slowly revealed and heightens interest nicely.

Predictably though, someone thought the film was a bit too "intellectual" to continue in this vein and decided that some CGI monsters, explosions and good ole butt-kicking was required to guarantee box office green.

By the way screenwriters, it doesn't matter how crazy someone with a virus is, they can't climb up the side of a New York brownstone using only their fingernails, and two such people can't topple over an SUV weighing well over a tonne.

So, what could have been a brooding sci-fi chiller with some cleverly delivered shocks is spoiled by a run of the mill "ex-army hardman must keep the kid and the girl safe" exercise.

Monsters are ALWAYS scarier when glimpsed from the corner of an eye, so the heavy use of CGI to show as many monsters on the screen at once destroys all the tensions built earlier.

What a shame. I'd give it 2.5 as the first half is really pretty good.

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Rating: - Good not great, but worth watching
Will Smith puts in a very good performance in this film - ably assisted by "his dog" Sam - portraying an isolated man on the verge of losing it altogether while trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic New York. You feel a real sense of panic when Sam runs into a dark building and Smith is afraid he will become infected with the virus. I also thought the sight of them sleeping curled up together in the bath while the "monsters" own the city at night was unexpectedly moving.

The film is less strong in the second half and loses its emotional intensity when he finds some human company and the monsters come out of the dark but is still a decent, watchable action movie. I would certainly suggest you give it a go.

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Rating: - Yes this is a good one
I lowered my expectations because of the bad reviews. Really enjoyed the film. Not a classic but good acting, effects and action scenes. A good way to pass 2 hours.