Movie Media Moment: I Am Legend

Well, the trailer for I Am Legend has hit. This will be the third filmed version of the Richard Matheson novella, and the first to actually use its title. The first was the excellent Last Man on Earth, in the 1950's starring Vincent Price, it truly captured the desolation that Robert Neville survived through. The second was the decent 1970's Charlton Heston vehicle, Omega Man. It was pretty good, but strayed further from the source material. Now, we have the third version starring Will Smith, and directed by Francis Lawrence who last helmed the Keanu Reeves starrer Constantine. The trailer has left me with mixed feelings, but not without hope.

When I first hit play, I was greeted with shots of crowds running, fighter jets flying, bridges exploding, and the pained look of Will Smith. The first thing that crossed my mind was that ubiquitous Smith line: "Aww hell no!" It just looked wrong. Explosions are cool, but this is a movie about desolation, being alone, and carrying the narrative story on the back of a single person, and I am not sure Smith is that person. Anyway, that gave way to epic desolation as we get Smith's first voice over introduction, as well as learn that he is not alone.

The second half is much more effective than the first, but I am still wondering if Will Smith is the right man to play Neville. I would have liked to have seen Guy Pearce or Christian Bale in the lead, but Smith will likely open the film stronger. Smith isn't a bad actor, and it will be interesting to see if he can pull it off, and if Lawrence can surpass what he did in Constantine.

What are your thoughts?

Here is the Quicktime link for the trailer.