I Am Legend [Blu-ray] [2007]

Really good film

After all the hype before release and then all the damning reviews after release I just knew this film must have potential for me to find it enjoyable. Having never read the book of the title I cannot complain the lack of faithfulness to the "supposed" source but can any film really be 100% faithful to it's source book??Will Smith has impressed me over the years by the diverse film roles he has taken on and in this one, which for most of the film he carries the plot single-handed (apart from a great paw support from his dog!!) he reaches new heights as a solo performer, no easy feat by any actor's standards.Most of the reviews damn the CGI and maybe they are right but for me, a child of the pre-CGI generation, I don't concentrate on the state of the art effects but more on the story and the atmosphere of the film itself. A personal favourite film has long been the original version of The Fog because despite it's shortcomings the film is atmospheric and needs the watcher's imagination and not the gore and effects which recent filmgoers seem to need.I felt 28 Days Later was good but over reliant on the effects while this "apocalyptic" film played to the strengths of the actor in the lead who did so well with the pathos and characterisation which lead to me enjoying this film and hence reviewing it with praise rather than damnation.

I’ve seen this movie before on Blu-ray but watching in 4K Blu-ray is a different experience I was expecting, especially the opening scene

The first half of this film is outstanding, the second only average. The combination of a performance of real depth from Will and the very effective use of CGI to create the deserted city, deliver a palpable sense of post apocalyptic desolation. Will is alone of course with the exception of Sam, his dog, who gives him the only opportunity to cling to his fragile sanity. Ironically then the CGI that looks so great in the opening scenes seems to be the undoing of this film as the disturbing fate of the human race is revealed. This is highlighted by Sam who is portrayed using a real dog and is wonderful to watch but as a result makes the CGI animals and Dark Seekers look like the digital creations they really are. I think Steven Spielberg's realisation that a rubber shark was going to frighten precisely no one and his decision to keep it off the screen as much as possible is a principle that still holds true today.So, as the suspense of the first half is replaced by the action and visuals of the second, a potentially great movie rounds out to a merely good one. The story also loses its credibility with the arrival of two new characters looking remarkably healthy and calm given the rigours of day to day survival in this bleak world. I think if I had managed to survive for three years in this environment at the very least I would have had bad hair.The picture quality is probably the best I have seen on Blu-Ray so far, combining great detail with a natural look free of any obvious sharpening or edge enhancement. Sound is also great with contrasting use of effects channels to create the atmosphere of the deserted city as well as all the jumps and shocks of the action set pieces. I watched the theatrical release first and then the alternate ending and thought the more downbeat ending of the theatrical version better suited the arc of the story and seemed more believable than the alternate 'happy' ending.I really enjoyed this film and total respect to Will Smith for a credible, believable performance that makes you really care about him and what happens to him - a fundamental that is too often overlooked by studios in their rush to show off their investment in CGI software. Anyone looking for a reference Blu-ray disc should add this to their collection.

I watched this last night and I was jumping out of my skin and hiding behind the sofa! This is one of the most entertaining and scary films I have seen in a long time. Will Smith was superb as the scientist who only has his faithful dog for companionship and is endeavouring to find a cure for the virus that has wiped out civilisation.The film was tense, atmospheric, thoughtful, sad but also full of hope because Smith's character never gave up trying to find a cure or finding fellow survivors.Lots of reviewers have bemoaned the fact that the book was far better than the film. I have not read the book but I enjoyed the film because it was entertaining and very well acted. I could really feel Smith's despair and lonliness when he pleaded for a dummy to answer him back and it reminded me that humans are social beings.When the film ended,I was shocked because the time had passed so quickly. This film captivated and mesmerised me as well as entertained me and very few modern films have had that affect on me in a long time. It also made me ponder about the current fears regarding a possible swine flu epidemic.Watch, enjoy and ponder.

I watched this many years ago and I’d forgotten just how good Will Smith is in this post apocalyptic drama. He’s a survivor following a viral pandemic that’s wiped out most. He steals every scene, along with his dog, as he tries to maintain some semblance of normality in a world that no longer exists as he knew it.It’s a thought provoking film and no mean feat to keep the viewer engaged when, for much of the time, relatively little happens. The pace picks up and it’s a neat drama that I’ve enjoyed watching again.

Alright