... had Neville been the only normal human in the entire film, with the film focusing on Neville's loneliness and isolation and on his struggle to defend himself against the mutants. Bringing in other regular people (especially so early in the film) and a weak romance only served to make the film incredibly mediocre.
Life is like a box of chocolates. A cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for.
If you haven't read Matheson's novel upon which the movie was based, you really should. You'd like it much more than the film version.
Next time you see me, it won't be me
I have read the novel and it is better. But Duragizer has a nice idea, I've seen several of these last man on earth movies and someone always does pop up. It would be a refreshing change if it was just one human thru out the whole movie fighting the zombies, vampires or whatever. Now that have been said this is my favorite version of "I am Legend". I thoroghly enjoy this film, except for the last couple of minutes, thou. I have a tough time with the ending, but other than that I'd give it a big thumbs up.
shareIt's one of my favorite films, too. Tasty 70's cheese!
Next time you see me, it won't be me
I remember being disappointed that he wasn't alone as long as I wanted in the movie when I first saw it. I've come to accept that though, and have always enjoyed the heck out of this flick.
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If you haven't read Matheson's novel upon which the movie was based, you really should. You'd like it much more than the film version.
I have read it and "The Omega Man" was much better than the book or the first movie based on it. Who ever heard of putting a bunch of short stories at the end of a novel?
shareSorry, can't agree. Finding "normal" people gave him hope and motivation to get out of the pillbox he was holed up in. A whole movie with just Neville vs. The Family would have been boring.
shareIt would have gotten really boring and tedious with only Neville around, as good an actor as Heston was.
Take us down and all apart
Cherry Tree
Lay us out on the table
You're sharp alright...
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Personally, I didn't have a problem with Heston's fellow survivors, but I did with "the family." Led by a TV anchorman (subtle), they seemed more like a coven of "Rosemary's Baby" inspired Satanists than mutant beings. Making the antagonists intelligent doesn't really work for this story -- which is why "28 Days Later" (a fairly blatant ripoff) is superior to the trio of flicks officially adapted from "I Am Legend."
share[deleted]
I think you've got a point. As an adult, I'm awfully tired of being made to believe the hero is the only survivor (Why? Because he says so?) only to find that -- OMG! -- there are others. Interestingly, the first half of I Am Legend pretty much does exactly what you suggest. Though it's a far less sucessful film, in my opinion, it does center the first two acts around his isolation and battle with the mutants who do not even talk amonst themselves, thereby increasing the effect. As usual, the problem here is a Hollywood in love with formula dictating that drama requires people. That's changing, as witnessed by recent entries like 127 Hours and Buried. Frankly, I don't think IAL would even have been greenlighted back in '71, let alone a plot as you describe.
I agree that today, the biggest surprise possible in a "last man" film would be to discover, after two hours, that our hero really is the last man.
...without Charlton Heston.