A Late Night Review of I Am Legend

Hello Late Night Watchers! This week's Late Night Watch is none other than the post-apocalyptic thriller I Am Legend!

Not sure if I had just been living under a rock, but I had never seen this movie until now. Granted, this intense thriller was made back in 2006, an era of my life in which the only movies I knew about were the ones playing on Disney Channel. Thinking back, age 5 me would not have been able to understand and appreciate the story line of I Am Legend. 

The story begins with the story of a virus that mutated from a potential cure for cancer and killed 90% of the world's population. 9% turned into mutant zombies called darkseekers that seek to kill and turn the 1% that is immune from the virus. One of the immune is Dr. Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, who is living alone in a deserted Manhattan that has been ruined as he searches for a cure to the virus. His only companion is his dog, Sam, who is a cute German Shepard that follows Neville around loyally. Eventually, Neville meets a woman and her son who are immune and searching for a compound for the immune.

Will Smith puts on a good performance as the doctor. His acting is one of the strongest points of the film. The thriller film does have many jump scares that kept me on the edge of my seat while watching. If you are looking to watch a film that is equal parts intriguing yet frightening. The darkseekers are ugly, smart, and hungry. Although I predicted that Neville probably wouldn't be infected, I was not prepared for the ending that would come.

I am Legend had some moments that tugged at the heart strings. One of these moments came towards the beginning with the tragic death of Neville's wife and daughter as they tried to escape the city when the infection first broke out. Although we didn't get to see them alive, we see the effect their deaths have on Neville for the entire film.

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

The saddest part of the film, however, came towards the middle with the death of Neville's dog Sam. I was heartbroken when Sam became infected. The worst part about this death is that Sam had to be put down by his own owner, Neville. This death caught me totally by surprise and as much as I understand it, I will forever be hurt by it. 

The ending of the film comes when the woman and her son, Anna and Ethan, arrive in hopes of finding Neville who they heard on a broadcast so they can go to an immune compound in Virginia. Neville develops a cure for the virus after capturing a darkseeker, yet must sacrifice his own life to save the cure as well as Anna and Ethan. This is a really sad moment of the film yet it was foreshadowed and I did see it coming. Neville fulfilled his purpose and goal of finding a cure and was able to save the woman and her son, drawback to how he felt like he failed to save his own wife and daughter.

In the end, Anna and Ethan make it to the compound where Anna passes on Neville's cure. This right there is his legend.

***END SPOILERS***

Overall, while not the best movie I've ever seen, I Am Legend was a good watch and a good thriller for the night. Be warned though, although it is an action thriller film, it got heavy at times. Fair warning some deaths and scenes may stay in your mind long after it ends. With Will Smith's brilliant performance and an interesting look at apocalyptic life alone, this film is a great Late Night Watch to add to your list!