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Studio:Warner Home Video

Director:Francis Lawrence

Cast: Will Smith, Paradox Pollack, Charlie Tahan

Amazon.co.uk Review

A mainstream Hollywood actor who seems committed to igniting science fiction features, Will Smith chalked up another sizeable hit in the shape of I Am Legend, the latest cinematic adaptation of Richard Matheson's book of the same name.

This time, Smith plays Robert Neville, the last man on an Earth emptied by a deadly virus that he continues to try and find a working vaccine for. With just his dog for company, and the fear of the vampires that haunt the night never far away, I Am Legend quickly establishes itself as a taut, highly watchable blockbuster, with plenty of reasons to gnaw at your nail.

Where I Am Legend really scores is in the excellent first half. The scenes of a deserted New York are quite staggering, and it's also to Smith's immense credit that he holds the attention even though for the most part he's the only person on the screen. It's a quite wonderful opening hour that the film enjoys, and one that easily stands repeat viewings alone.

The back half of I Am Legend is, almost inevitably, not quite the match of what's gone before, as the threats of the night don't, when you finally see them, live up to expectations. Nonetheless, for Smith's performance, and the sheer quality of the build up, I Am Legend can stand side-by-side with the last take on the story, the Charlton Heston-starrer The Last Man On Earth. Take either home, and you're in for a rollicking good night in front of the telly. --Jon Foster

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Reviews

- Get this version, NOT the 1-disc edition!

This film got a lot of bad press when it first came out, but I'm a big fan of post-apocalyptic worlds so decided to check it out. Fortunately I bought the 2-disc edition; if I had only bought the single-disc my rating of this film would be a lot lower.

Why? Well, the 2 discs are essentially different films. Disc 1 is the version shown in the cinema, which is great up until the last half hour when any semblance of plot, logic or good writing is thrown out the window in exchange for lots of death and big explosions.

Disc 2, however, is the *director's cut* version of the film: while 90% of the film is exactly the same, that final 10% makes all the difference. Having watched through both, it's obvious that this is how the director/writer intended the film to be all along. No doubt somewhere along the way the studio said "this ending makes people think; get rid of it and just put a big explosion instead." (Don't you just love it when Hollywood does that?)

My advice would be to throw Disc 1 away as soon as you open the case and just watch Disc 2. It ties up loose ends in the plot, answers questions raised earlier in the film, and also engages your brain just enough for it to excrete that little feeling of 'I've done something thought-provoking, so feel less guilty about vegetating in front of the TV for the last two hours.'

That is, of course, unless unanswered questions and plot holes don't bother you and you would much rather see things go boom, in which case stick with Disc 1.

- Dont watch the trailer!

This is actually a worthy film. The trailer is extremely misleading and it is much more character driven than it appears. Will smith is excellent and the story very interesting, it is not a five star film but a solid four. I just feel it deserves a better rating than it has!

Give it a try it may just grab you!

- Very moving film

Well, what can I say, a brilliant film and great actors present, even the dog! Yet another classic futuristic film with class and will let your imagination go wild. This film really makes you think about things even when it's finished and yes, I did shed a tear. Don't miss it.

- Cool Film!!

I loved this film, I have it on DVD and UMD, both versions are cool. I haven't read the book so I didnt know this had to follow another plot, I simply enjoyed the film for what it was. The cinema version ended differently to the alternate version (obviously) and i enjoyed it much more than cinema version. As I have said before I am a huge Will Smith fan and any of films are good.

Sounds great on a decent Dolby system as well :)

- Wow!! This is a Powerful Performance by Will Smith

I watched this thinking it might be a light-hearted Independence Day type performance by Will Smith. I watched this and have GREAT admiration and respect for Will Smith. Its one of the most powerful performances I have ever seen. He makes you feel what it likes to be there and identify with him. This is one of the most disturbing and powerful films I have seen in years. I spoke to some friends and family about the effect this film had on me. They have reminded me it's just a Film, and it could never happen. If it should ever become reality, I don't want to be the last person left. The agony that this person portrays/suffers in the film is quite overwhelming.