I Am Legend

[bigdamnnerd]

I'll try to be as vague as possible.

I just got back from seeing this, and overall, I liked it a lot. I just read the original, so it was pretty fresh in my mind. They took some understandable shortcuts, like making him a scientist from the start so he didn't have to rediscover basic scientific principles, and dropping the "taming the dog" story. Both of those changes made sense for a movie format, and changing setting from LA to NYC worked well too. Also, Will Smith did a hell of a job carrying the burden of the film almost entirely by himself. Much like "No Country for Old Men", there was very little in the way of a soundtrack for the movie, emphasizing his solitary existence.

However, they removed almost all intelligence from the "dark seekers", the third act therefore received the most changes. The main events of the last part remain the same, but the details are significantly different. Neville's fate is the same as in the book, but under different circumstances, with a heavy dose of Hollywood.

This isn't to say I didn't like it -- I did. I was just different, and not quite what I was expecting. Let's just say that this tidbit about the possibility of a sequel makes a lot more sense now.

Comments

[fozzie33.livejournal.com]

I just saw it today, too, and was adequately impressed with the movie. Makes me really want to read the book... maybe over break...

[suckpump.livejournal.com]

I totally want to see it *and Beowulf* - I'm glad to know that the hype isn't all lies.
You think maybe I should read the book first?

[hagbard23.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's strictly necessary. I did because I'm like that, but I think it'd be enjoyable without the foreknowledge. In fact, I think it'd be better, since you wouldn't have the tiny twinge of disappointment I had at the end.