Review: I Am Legend
SIGH-FI
It’s hard not to be disappointed with Will Smith’s dystopian thriller, but it’s not easy to dismiss it either.
DEC 16, 2007 - THE ONLY THING YOU EXPECT TO CHEW ON while watching a big-star blockbuster is popcorn, not a question of theological import, but there I was with I Am Legend, wondering: Is Bob Marley featured on the soundtrack – the song is Three Little Birds, which goes, “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing’s gonna be all right” – simply because of the upbeat worldview that his lyrics bring to the last human survivor on earth (a characteristically likeable Will Smith, playing military scientist Robert Neville; everyone else has been decimated by a virus), or could this be mainstream Hollywood’s first explicit acknowledgment of Rastafarianism?
“There is no God,” Neville screams to someone who’s identified by the symbol of the cross – after this someone rescues him from pale, vampiric creatures known as “dark seekers” (ostensibly because they are afraid of sunlight, but let’s not forget that the target of their seeking is a black man). And almost immediately after this (apparent) rejection of traditional (or white) Christianity, Neville launches into a rhapsodic thesis about how Marley – the best-known Rasta preacher ever – was like a “virologist” who “injected” music and love into people’s lives to “cure” racism and hatred.
And to cap off this startling synthesis of science and spirituality – spoiler alert till the end of this paragraph – Neville overcomes his crisis-of-faith and sacrifices himself, but not before developing a “cure” that can be “injected” into the rest of mankind (those others who, we learn later, survived this near-Biblical plague). By the end, he’s not just any savior – he’s The Savior, a black Jesus Christ, except that his instrument isn’t a sermon but a serum, developed while listening to lots and lots of Marley’s reggae. With all this, Neville isn’t just another last action hero, right? Isn’t there something going on under the surface, something quietly subversive being served up in the guise of just another instance of multiplex mayhem?
There’s a wholly unexpected – and wholly welcome (considering that we walk in expecting an action movie) – stillness during the first hour or so of I Am Legend that’s very conducive to such cogitations. All we see, for a while, is Neville wandering around a desolate Manhattan with his dog Sam, much like how Tom Hanks roamed the desolate island in Cast Away with only his volleyball Wilson for company. Neville raids empty homes for food and stuff. He makes dinner for himself and for Sam. (“Just the way you like it – disgusting,” he tells Sam, after reheating the contents of tins and bottles.) He gives Sam a bath (while listening to Marley). He curls up into a foetal ball in his bathtub, as if this ceramic womb could protect him from the fearsome creatures of the night prowling outside.
And, in the film’s best scene, he goes to a video store to get himself some movies. Of course, considering there’s no one else in the city – in the world – Neville could have simply hauled home the entire collection of films. But then, he wouldn’t have had a reason to come back to the store, where he has carefully arranged mannequins – both outside and inside – to give just a semblance of there being other people alongside him. And as Neville checks out one such hot mannequin that appears to make his heart beat faster, and when he goes to the dummy at the counter to ask who this “woman” is, it’s clear that while he’s using these props to not feel alone, to hold himself together, he’s also beginning to falling apart.
Finally, though, it’s the film that falls apart. After that fascinating, promising hour or so, director Francis Lawrence loses his nerve – this is, after all, a Will Smith-starrer – and, without warning, these early, existential ambitions give way to standard, action-movie nonsense about the undead chasing the living, all of which plays like Resident Evil inbred with 28 Days Later. (It would have at least been bearable if this nonsense was well done, but the CGI monsters look so fake, they’re more silly than scary, hardly what you imagined upon hearing their bloodcurdling screams.) And they’ve saved the worst for last, with a climax so hurried – and with a coda so tacked-on – it’s as if studio executives caught a glimpse of what Lawrence had done and fired him and then finished the film themselves. And if that were indeed the case, we should be thankful that those early portions, at least, were left untouched. Perhaps there is a God after all, Rastafarian or otherwise.
Copyright ©2007 The New Sunday Express. This article may not be reproduced in its entirety without permission. A link to this URL, instead, would be appreciated.
brangan: I guess this is one of those movies, you know, the ones you’re much better off not watching, but get more than your fair share of high from the review already. Meaning, the only reason such a movie even exists is so folks like me can lap up such inspired writing — and who says utter boredom and the incredulity of your typical action-movie experience smashed to smithereens in front of your very eyes can’t inspire? They abso-bloody-lutely can, and this review is ample proof.
A laugh-out-loud moment this: >>”..it’s as if studio executives caught a glimpse of what Lawrence had done and fired him and then finished the film themselves.”
Just a question Rangan. If the ‘Dark Seekers’ needed blood to survive, and if Neville was the last person alive left on Earth, how exactly do the Dark Seekers survive? Do they have the tenacity of a camel to go without liquid for such a long time?
Is the world coming to an end…are my eyes deceiving me ? No comments in over two days ? Or has everyone been laid down by Billa fever
Sagarika: Thank you, though this is hardly a “typical action-movie experience”
Shantesh: Ah, a LOGICAL question. Maybe they stored huamn specimens in their dens just like Neville did in his lab? Tins of frozen blood, just as Neville survived on tins of spam?
Bala: “Billa fever”? There is such a thing, huh? I’m somehow not very curious about the film at all (depite being a fan of Pattiyal, which I later learned is a remake of… I forget the name of the film now). Have you seen it?
Well..my friends from Chennai tell me there is
though looking at the half-empty theatres in Bangalore (for the show I went for ) it looks like one of those school-se chutti lene waali fevers…non-existent and created purely to delude :).I loved Pattiyal too..heck I even liked Arindhum Ariyamalum 
( was the movie “City of god” by any chance ? )..”Billa” was to put it mildly terrible…and when will Prabhu stop acting I wonder ? The way I see it , the movie’s fortunes are hanging to the edge of Nayan’s bikini ( had to mention that 
)
Who are the directors of Oram Po btw ? Are they new ? Are they even from singaara Chennai ?The whole look an feel of the movie(oops there’s the s/w eng talking )seems very indi’ish ( even though the characters and the dialogues are very rooted in local tamil)…liked the Rastafarian god bit btw :)Also are there any other movie reviewers writers /blogs you do read ?
hahaha, those pesky studio executives…you can always count on them to ruin a potentially good commercial film. i was wondering, is there any such equivalent in the hindi film industry? anything resembling the dreaded development notes from money-crunchers in their suits and ties? i wish someone would write a book about the way bollywood does business. how about it b?
Ok i should be careful now with my comments BUT… i have to say that Will Smith can be my Black Jesus, come and save me wright here wright now !! I’m ready !!
I’ve not seen the movie yet. I’m glad that Will Smith tries very hard to be the next Denzel Washington. I know it’s easy to say that, but not many black actors in America or elsewhere can achieve that status (there is none in France for example). He could i’ve been just another action hero with silly movies like Bad Boys and so on… but instead he makes the right moves. And now,having him in a movie, alone, in each frame… in what seems to be another Oscar type of role (i don’t mean that he can win any this year, i’m just defining it…) is…cool Lol !
Billaaaaaaaaaaa,Billlaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…i liked the trailers, the song rocks ! Almost more effective than those made for Don. And the way he says “i’m back” at the end… even if i liked Don (and i’ve not seen Billa yet),it’s way better to announce Don’s return that way.
UNFORTUNATELY, i don’t like Ajith style and really miss Priyanka Chopra here.
Bala: Well, judging by the sharp intakes of breaths in the sudience during Nayan’s appearance in the trailer, I kinda thought she’f contribute to the film’s success
Oram Po is by the team of Pushkar-Gayatri, who I think are ad filmmakers. From where I don’t know, but if they’ve “written” this (as the title credit says), they have to be from here, no? I mean, “Chinna vayasula naaigala kallu vitterinju piricha paavam…” and all that 
SB: I think the suits have made their way to Hindi cinema too. I read somewhere that Ronnie Screwvala (of UTV) made Vivek Agnihotri do several rewrites on the Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal script — though how it finally turned out is another matter alogether.
oops: I think Will Smith’s likeability quotient is higher than DW’s, who often has a bit of smugness. I mean, can you think of another actor who could have made a blockbuster out of a downer like Pursuit of Happyness?
BTW, for anyone interested, here’s a plug for an initiative on Passion For Cinema to unearth reviewing talent.
Did I hear Denzel washington?
Even his smugness adds to his appeal, I say.
I had this question while watching a movie. Do you start forming ur review while watching the movie itself? if no, wouldn’t it be hard for someone like you who writes reviews every week, not to do that.
Baradwaj, ‘Pattilyal’ was a remake of ‘bangkok dangerous’. haven’t seen it but heard from commentors that it was a pretty close copy
BRangan:
Just saw the film on Saturday (had to see it before reading your review!).
Well, I think whatever level (keep it as low as possible, though)the film worked - it worked ONLY because of Will Smith.
I was REALLY thrilled with the first 30 minutes (except that “oh! no” deer hunt —- they looked as fake!) But after that first 30-35 minutes - it’s all downhill for “I am Legend”, as the film descends into a Zombie-movie malaise starring a horde of CGI monsters which look worse than my WII game characters that will scare absolutely NO ONE!!
It’s a great opportunity completely wasted. The climax stand-off might probably the weakest in the action film history!! (worse than “War of the worlds”!! Incidently, they had planned this movie long back with tom Cruise and then with Arnold but somehow never happened!!)
The movie is NOT worth watching though Will Smith is! (but still no match to Jason Bourne!! BTW, got my “Bourne ultimatum” HD-DVD So the X-mas holidays should be fun with Bourne!!)
Bhardwaj, Raja Sen part of the jury team to judge the reviewers for PFC!!! :-(( Going by his reviews on Rediff, I find him totally a put off.
How do you say “Hors sujet” in english ?
Ok, i just wanted to ask if someone have seen Tara Zameen yet. India fm gave 4 stars to the movie. Interesting… . I’m not impressed by the subject so far, the songs or the trailers. I’m waiting for your review Brangan if it’s that good or not.
BRangan:
On a digress note:
Please do watch “Charlie Wilson’s war” (Tom Hanks, Julia roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman and our own Om Puri (Playing Pak President Zia) - It’s based on a true story! You thought it was ronald Reagan who brought down the Soviet Empire? or maybe Mikhail gorbachev? No!! This is the guy - a Texas congressman. It’s a political comedy based on true events!!
s: Yeah — you begin to file away things for writing later on. That’s why I said somewhere that there’s a certain “detachment” when you do this kind of thing for a living.
Balaji: Ah, thanks.
APALA: Yeah, I too was shocked at how cheap the effects looked. Bourne ultimatum HD-DVD… WoW!
sh: Raja Sen *is* a very popular reviewer.
oops: The film’s not out yet…
Baradwaj
Just curious to know whether you really watched several big B(L)osses just for shriya, nayans shows etc.
Why this take on ajith alone or his billa ? Am I missing something here
?
Billa fever .. hmm.. Going by that I hardly doubt whether a fever exists for BEE MOVIE or even NO SMOKING.
Anyway, stick to that and ofcourse do watch the movie for your expectations (Nayantara
)
BR, yeah, Raja Sen is a popular reviewer. And Himesh is a popular singer.
Well, you KNOW that there had to be at least one Rastafari who would respond to this. I am a Rastafari. The movie was created, I believe, as an allegory which contains a positive message “for those with ears to hear and eyes to see.”
The way the move was presented conforms entirely to Rastafari principles and presents a spiritual truth in physical form. The virus in the movie is a physical manifestation. It is portrayed as an evil thing which infects all of humanity with a disease that renders them violent and no longer possessing the human characteristics of social consciousness. They are described as vampires and parasites which prey on those members of the human race who have not become infected. Rastafari teaches that on the spiritual realm, there exists a segment of the human race that has a spiritual malady that has resulted in violent and predatory tendencies and lack of concern for fellow human beings (the most virulent example would be the mind set that resulted in the Nazi holocost, but includes the perpetrators of all wars, violent crimes, political and social oppression, and every day con-men of all sorts). There is, on the other hand, a segment of the human race that is not violent and does not prey upon others but instead lives according to principles of equality, love, and concern for others.
It is significant that the main character is named Robert Neville and that he plays the music of Bob Marley, that the main character’s child was named Marley, and that he explains to the female character just who Bob Marley was and what his message was. Bob Marley’s name was Robert Nesta Marley. He was a conscious Rastafari who formed a Reggae musical group, called the Wailers, one member of which was named Neville Livingston (aka Bunny Wailer.) Bob Marley and the Wailers spread the Rastafari message to all corners of the world. The Rastafari objective is freedom and unification of all peoples. Minds cannot be changed by force but only by divine guidance leading one person at a time to achieve a higher consciousness.
Bob Marley referred to persons who prey upon their fellow humans (oppression, slavery, social injustice) as “vampires.” This movie can be viewed as an effort toward the Rastafari purpose. The main character’s goal is to find the antidote for the virus so that he can save the people who are already infected, and to do that he uses his own blood, which he gives for the purpose of finding that cure. Toward the end of the movie, when he has the vial with the cure in his hand and he is being besieged by the vampires, he shouts at them, “I can save you.” But they cannot understand and do not seek to be saved because they are in the throes of their malady. They know only the violence and they care only to prey on their victims. The main character is a Christ-like person who seeks to redeem those who have become like vampires. Even though these people have killed his family, he does not hate them. He sacrifices himself to save them. This is also the Rastafari response: resistance to the evils of the world, combined with mercy and love, as Yahshua (Christ) Himself proclaimed from the cross: “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34 KJV). “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?” (Matthew 5:43-46 KJV).
Thus, the main character keeps the greatest commandment of Christ, which is also the greatest commandment of Rastafari: “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:10) The Rastafari motto: “One Love - One World - One Destiny” summarizes all the above when the female character carries the vial of blood, which contains the antibodies for the cure, to the safe haven. As Saint Paul stated in his sermon to the Romans, “If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” The vial will be used to make more of the antibodies which will cure the ‘vampires’ from the malady that had caused them to become violent and predatory toward their fellow human beings.
Through the fulfillment by the main character of Yahshua’s (Christ’s) greatest commandment to love everyone (One Love), the cure will bring about the harmony that will unite all the peoples (One World), which will achieve the One Destiny: a united humanity living in harmony with no predators and no prey among them.
Just as the main character’s main purpose was not to obliterate the people who were suffering from the malady, so also physical revolution is not the intent of the Rastafari way. The reason for that is because physical revolution is destructive and, therefore, since violence and wars are part of the ways of the predominant oppressive powers throughout history, such actions are to be avoided. Not only are followers of Rastafari to do no harm to others but it is also part of the commandment of Yahshua (Christ) that InI (we) should do all in our power to lift up those who are downtrodden. Rastafari holds that Jah (God) has told us what to do and that He has given each person the free will to do it – the greatest commandment is to love. Violence toward others is not love. War is not love. Social injustice is not love. Anything that harms any human being (physically, emotionally, or spiritually) is not love and should be resisted. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour.”
However, Bob Marley did acknowledge that a revolution of some sort is called for: “I mean maybe it’s the beginning. You know, me live within the time, and me know what a gwaan. Because it’s the consciousness against the folly; that’s the Armageddon.” In this quotation, Marley stated that he (and by extension all Rastafari) are not ignorant about the decadent state of the world: “me know what a gwan” (I know what’s going on). He suggested that a revolution in thought and spirit is beginning, and that this revolution is one of “the consciousness against the folly.” The “consciousness” he sites refers to the positive consciousness of the followers of the Rastafari faith, which has set itself as the spiritual opponent of “the folly.” In Rastafari terminology and the Jamic language (Jamaican patois), “folly” refers to foolishness and includes any actions that are not based on sound judgment. Thus, the decadent affairs of the present day world are viewed as being based on unsound principles (which bring harm to others) and such principles must be resisted and opposed. Marley defines this spiritual warfare as the “Armageddon,” which also calls to mind the Armageddon of Revelation, the prophesy of the final spiritual battle in which good will triumph over evil.
Rastafari teaches self control in regard to each Rasta’s participation in the predominant system in which some people behave like “vampires” and promote or condone materialistic consumption, neocolonialism and labor practices that exploit the Earth and its peoples, and aggressive competition in economic and political arenas. Increasing numbers of people in all nations are gaining an awareness that with consciousness of the interconnectedness of, and respect for, all peoples and all living things, we (InI – each and every “I” – each individual) can make a difference in the lives of others, and ultimately in our own lives and the lives of our children and the children in generations to come. That is the purpose of Rastafari. The movie conveys that message “for all who have ears to hear and eyes to see.”
Seen?