I Am Legend

I was mildly interested in this film going in, but I Am Legend really impressed me on many levels. Will Smith plays Robert Neville, the only man left after a biological disaster of epic proportions hits the planet. It all started with man's desire to cure cancer (hey, we are all in favor of that, aren't we?). But that seemingly incredible miracle actually spawns a mega-virus that gives people uber-rabies. Let's just say they are scary and like to eat people. From what I have heard, the film is very different than the book, so know that going in. Now, Neville spends his days hunting for food, renting movies, trying to find a cure for this disease, and hanging out with his dog Sam. At night, he has to get back to his secret and heavily fortified hideout. Why? Because the vampire-like crazy people get severely harmed by UV rays.

Neville is driven by a desire to save the world/fix the problem/find a cure for this disease. He has an extensive lab in his basement where he does experiments. He believes that he can do this, that he can stop this. This is a noble and manly desire, but as most of us men realize, we cannot fix everything or cure everything alone. He has been disconnected with people for three years now, so he is beginning to go crazy. He places mannequins around a Blockbuster store to have people to talk to and interact with. He sees hallucinations. And why is that? Because we were created to be social beings, to live in community, not alone.

Neville's daughter is named Marley, after Bob Marley. This becomes a very important thematic element in the film. We hear a story about Marley. Once upon a time Bob Marley was shot by a man who did not like him working for peace. Just a few days later he performed a concert and was asked why he got back out there so quickly. He said that the bad guys don't take a day off, why should he? He said we must bring light to the darkness. This is Neville's motivation, to bring light to the darkness.

Much like Shyamalan's Signs, I Am Legend has very strong spiritual overtones. There is one scene in which the characters prayed for safety and protection before the bad stuff started happening (very rare in Hollywood). Neville begins as a Christian, but eventually loses faith because of all the horrible things that have happened. It is refreshing to see Neville not blame God for it, "God didn't do this, we did." We like to blame God when things go wrong. But Neville doesn't blame God because he doesn't believe in Him anymore. But then things start happening that make him sit up and take notice to the fact that something bigger might be happening. God may have a plan for all of this after all, but we have to listen. So many times in our lives we fail to see God's plans because we do not take the time to quiet ourselves and listen to His voice (like Elijah in the cave in 1Kings 19). But when Neville begins to listen to God, to welcome God back into his life, things change. The film ends with Marley's "Redemption Song," which is perfectly appropriate considering how the film ends (but I won't give it away).

Aside from the annoying product placement (Fords everywhere), I Am Legend was a pleasant surprise. This is one of the best big-budget blockbusters of the year, if not the best. Smith is great to watch as always, but the film has a depth that many mainstream Hollywood films are scared to dive into. Kudos Legend.