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Moriarty Sees I AM LEGEND In IMAX!

Published at:  Dec 14, 2007 4:30:31 AM CST


Hey, everyone. “Moriarty” here.

Richard Matheson’s novel I AM LEGEND is a classic. There’s no other way to describe it. Beautifully written, stark and terrifying at times, with an underlying sadness that elevates it above most genre material, it has been adapted loosely to the screen before as both THE LAST MAN ON EARTH and THE OMEGA MAN. And now, with the release of Warner’s new mega-budget adaptation, the first to use the original title, the book has once more served as vague inspiration rather than exact source material, a fact that will no doubt frustrate fans of the book.

But if you can set aside the original book, then I AM LEGEND is a surprisingly solemn Christmas release, a showcase for Will Smith as an actor, and just one of the big-studio bummers that will stuff multiplexes this season. I’m loving it, but I have to wonder how this many dour, dark character explorations all got greenlit at the same time... must have been a very specific mood, a very specific sort of industry-wide reaction to something. I’m not going to give away what this film does or doesn’t do in its final act. I’m not even going to play coy with it. I went into this cold. I knew I wasn’t going to see the book. There’s an integrity to the world that Robert Neville lives in, and Francis Lawrence does some really sharp, smart work as a director. The first hour is pretty much flawless in the way it draws you into Neville's life. It’s CAST AWAY with the threat of monsters. The hint of monsters. The mere suggestion of monsters. It’s in the way Will Smith treats the darkness, the care he takes to keep himself safe. I like the meticulous way Lawrence and credited screenwriters Mark Protosevich and Akiva Goldsman etch the daily life that Neville has tried to build for himself. And I like the way Smith plays it. I think he’s really good. I think he does everything the script asks him to do and more. He makes even the most on-the-nose moments in the script feel natural because of how completely he commits to what he’s doing here. He’s thought through Neville’s shaky mental state at each step of how he plays him. His choices after one particular turning point in the film are reckless but completely understandable. And there’s one heartbreaking “conversation” he has that I think is one of his best moments on film.

Yeah, there is a lot of CGI in the film. Dash Mihok is credited in the film, and I had to ask one of the Warner publicists about it. Turns out, Mihok (a character actor familiar from roles in films like THE THIN RED LINE and HOLLYWOODLAND and ROMEO + JULIET) is the performance capture model for the Alpha Dark Seeker. He’s not quite a fully rounded character, but I liked the way he was used. It was never overt, and you’re left to decide for yourself just how this society of creatures works. But by making one particular creature stand out, it allows Lawrence to stage his big set pieces more effectively, giving them just enough focus. If pressed, I’d say the stuff involving the monsters is the least effective material in the film, but I still think it’s well-shot, well-cut, tense and involving. They are relentless and animal, and I think the way events unfold here, you can read into it a certain amount of room that’s been left open for details of Matheson’s book. I think these things are definitely afraid of Neville... aware of Neville.

I saw the film in IMAX (and, no, the six-minute DARK KNIGHT clip was not in front of the press screening I went to, so I’ll be going back to see it once the film opens tomorrow) and the thing that really struck me is how much the film benefits from the sound system in the IMAX theater. Holy crap. It makes sense, of course... that’s one of the most important things that makes the IMAX experience more physical... the enormous speaker array behind the screen, surrounding you, so you feel like you’re sitting IN a speaker in the best moments. So much of the sound design that Lawrence and his team did in this is directional, experiential, designed to freak out you, and in IMAX, it really works. I have to drive an hour and twenty minutes (minimum) to get to an evening screening at The Bridge, all the way from Northridge using the 118 and the 405, and it’s a giant miserable pain in the ass to do it. But I go anyway because I think the viewing is that much better. Yes, I can wait and see a movie at home, and I AM LEGEND will still be an interesting film with some great images and a really strong lead performance when I have it on DVD. But I’ll never be able to reproduce the aural sensations of seeing the film the way I did tonight. If I’m going to make the effort for a place that goes the extra distance for projection standards, it’s nice to see something make full use of the technology.

More reviews as the morning continues...





Drew McWeeny, Los Angeles




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    Readers Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 4:32:19 AM CST

    No mention of Mike Patton?

    by therealseveren

    he does all the vampire voices

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 4:34:49 AM CST

    Severen...

    by therealmoriarty

    ... it's an interesting answer to a trivia question, but I didn't think it was particularly distinguished work. I'd heard about that before I saw the film, and it didn't really impress me as anything new or unusual. It's okay. They're not the most original designs. Sort of early Chris Cunningham. I'm not running Patton's work down... but I didn't mention it on purpose... just didn't feel it...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 4:38:11 AM CST

    ALL of the Vampire voices?

    by brendon

    Jeez. Can't June Foray get a break these days?

    I agree that the sound is one of the key benefits to an IMAX theatre. Shame, however, that so many have quite crappy sound in practice.

    Was this altered for the IMAX aspect ratio? Or just thrown up 'across the middle' as it were?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 4:40:31 AM CST

    It takes nearly 2 hours for me to get to an IMAX..

    by spifftacular squirrel girl

    ..and it's usually worth it. Order of the Phoenix was just amazing and I'm not sold on I Am Legend but I've got a feeling I'll be going to see The Dark Knight when that comes out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 4:41:12 AM CST

    So Francis Lawrence is still promising?

    by derlanghaarige

    I really like his work for 'Constantine'. While he tried to make a visual interesting movie with lots of beautiful shots, he avoided all that stuff that music clip directors usually do, when they make their first feature film. Like some kind of Spike Jonze or Mark Pellington for Popcorn audiences.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 4:50:24 AM CST

    I love me some Moriarty but...

    by napolean solo

    That review should have been called;
    Moriarty Sees Imax In I Am Legend"

    There wasn't that much of a review there.

    Still... I love me some Moriarty.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 4:51:17 AM CST

    Maybe, some day...

    by cuervojones

    some director will make a good adaptation of that fantastic novel.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 4:54:22 AM CST

    Hmmmmmmmm a little coy there....

    by boba fat

    but generally positve. This review has left me more intrigued than enlightened but has raised my hopes for the film. You're up to something Moriarty. Also, what better time than Christmas for a film about depressing, isolation. It's perfect timing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 5:06:27 AM CST

    After many years I now have a IMAX 20 minutes away.

    by mace tofu

    JOY! IMAX really ruins going to the multiplex. I've never seen IMAX movie out of focus. Can't say the same for 99% of the muliplexes I used to visit ...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 5:27:18 AM CST

    Patton Rules Mori, have some respect

    by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks

    FNM, Secret Chiefs, Mr Bungle. The man has no limits.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 5:36:46 AM CST

    Well Mori liked it..

    by tourist

    ...So expect an uninspired, workman like couple of hours at the cinema.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 5:39:03 AM CST

    Mike Patton has range

    by criticalbliss

    Too bad he can't sing and his music sucks. Other than that...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 5:39:51 AM CST

    Moriarty has chosen to see IAM LEGEND in IMAX and here's why...

    by det. john kimble

    Thanks for the suggestion Mori - I'm going to try to see it at the Metreon if they releasing it up here in SF in IMAX. So far the reviews have been pretty good, yours helps open my wallet a little wider.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 5:45:35 AM CST

    I liked the vamps in 20 Days Of Night.

    by kubla_khan

    Are they like those? Btw, is it true that DJ Jazzy Jeff and the guy that played Carlton were mo-capped and play a couple of vamps who get killed?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 5:46:18 AM CST

    I mean 30 days of night.

    by kubla_khan

    20 days of night was the prequel - rubbish.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 5:52:28 AM CST

    Patton is also doing Zombie sounds for the new game Left4Dead...

    by big_bubbaloola

    due out next year. Bless ..... at least he's getting work.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 6:02:00 AM CST

    but was it awesome?

    by palewook

    the review seems inconclusive.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 6:18:01 AM CST

    CuervoJones

    by crweb

    Correct. Once again, this is NOT I Am Legend.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 6:20:15 AM CST

    On the subject of Batman posters

    by shoegeezer

    In I Am Legend, when Smith is doing his hunting in New York, there's a shot of a massive billboard for a Batman/Superman movie, it's the Bat logo with the Superman S planted in the middle of it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 6:20:19 AM CST

    The final act is fucking horrible.

    by tile_mcgillus

    The rest of the film I liked until it becomes The Retards vs. The Mummy. Mother of God!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 6:23:17 AM CST

    Mike Patton...

    by therealmoriarty

    ... is great as a musician. I'm just talking about in the film. Jeeeeeez... relax, people. The work he does here wouldn't be notable if you didn't already know it's him doing it. You wouldn't walk out going, "Oh, man, I have got to find out who made the noises for those creatures!" That's all I meant.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 6:31:08 AM CST

    No woz Mori

    by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks

    as long as you acknowledge his utter supreme musicnessness.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 6:35:23 AM CST

    Damn you Moriarty!

    by raw_bean

    You shit-eatinf fool, how can you dismiss the mighty Mike Patton so blithely!?!....nah just kidding you. I don't even know who he is. :^) Some fans of his here in the talkback need to calm down a little, but I guess it's not an AICN talkback unless SOMEone's over-excited/angry. The review gives me some hope for the film, but it's a shame it's not true to the book.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 6:54:53 AM CST

    Seen it and review is dead on

    by robfrombackeast

    Again, you're head and shoudlers above everyone on this site Mori.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:05:52 AM CST

    Smith may be Superb in this Film...

    by kal reeve

    ...but hateful talkbackers on this site will continue to blindly ridicule his ability as if the only two films he ever made were "Wild, Wild West" and "I, Robot." How about giving the man credit for growing as an actor?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:13:08 AM CST

    I Wild, Wild Legend

    by palewook

    I Am Legend (2007) .... Robert Neville
    The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) .... Chris Gardner
    Hitch (2005/I) .... Alex 'Hitch' Hitchens
    Shark Tale (2004) (voice) .... Oscar
    I, Robot (2004) .... Del Spooner
    ... aka I, Robot (Germany)
    Bad Boys II (2003) .... Detective Mike Lowrey
    Men in Black II (2002) .... Agent Jay
    Ali (2001) .... Cassius Clay / Cassius X / Muhammad Ali
    The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) .... Bagger Vance
    Men in Black Alien Attack (2000) .... Agent J
    Wild Wild West (1999) .... Capt. James West
    Enemy of the State (1998) .... Robert Clayton Dean
    Men in Black (1997) .... James Edwards / Agent J (Jay) / "Slick"
    Independence Day (1996) .... Captain Steven Hiller

    aside from pursuit and ali, what growth are you talking about kal?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:17:44 AM CST

    Don't say you like anything Akiva Goldsman

    by i dunno

    does. It'll only encourage him. That fucker was not only allowed to work after Batman and Robin, but his deal with Satan actually won him an Oscar. He needs to be sitting in Gitmo, not given accolades by internet critics.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:32:39 AM CST

    Fan Boy Hate Unjustified.

    by optimus primal

    I have to admit when I heard about this movie I was pissed off because I love the novel so much. And this "adaptation" of "I am Legend" has more in common with "Omega Man" than the Novel. It probably helps to think of this movie as a remake of Omega Man than a true adaptation of Legend, because essentially thats what it is. And with pretty much every review glowing at how good it is I have changed my stance. I'm excited to see it and will go into the theater with an open mind. However I still wish they would have called it Omega Man.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:33:11 AM CST

    Bad Boys II was a nightmare

    by cuervojones

    I´m trying to forget that crap. Have mercy, palewook

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:41:54 AM CST

    They Are Relentless and Animal

    by aquatarkusman

    And not made of physical material! Always a good choice!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:48:27 AM CST

    Abbey deserves an Oscar

    by darthbakpao

    I cried like a sissy when Sam died

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:56:53 AM CST

    Call me crazy

    by i am_notreal

    but I actually kinda liked Constantine too. It wasn't great, but I thought there were some very interesting visual flourishes. I may go to see this based on this review.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 7:57:13 AM CST

    Not hate for smith, but Akiva Goldsman

    by dokkalvar

    Akiva was on set re-writing on the fly while Lawrence spent more time trying to be a DP then a director. If smith was any good, he did it on his own.

    Yeah I loved the 3rd Matrix film in IMAX too, but that was more attributed to the IMAX feel then revolutions being a good film. In fact, I knew right away that it was crap.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 8:04:13 AM CST

    I'm actually interested in this movie.......

    by aaronius

    But that is from seeing the trailers, not from what Moriarty wrote which I think was supposed to be a movie review. Don't give up though big M you keep pluggin' along there kid, you'll get it someday.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 8:19:11 AM CST

    I could give a fuck...

    by melvinthemopboy

    ...so is the ending faithful to the book? Because, let's face it, that's all anyone gives a fuck about - Does the movie live up to the title??!! If not, I'm in my early 30's and I'm living healthily. I can wait another 35 years for the true adaption... and if not, then I guess I won't be disappointed then, will I?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 8:33:12 AM CST

    CONSTANTINE IS A GOOD MOVIE

    by live.

    Let the hateration begin.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 8:40:57 AM CST

    Source material vs movies

    by live.

    I AM LEGEND, like Constantine, veers off from the source material. That can cause a lot of controversy, but the only thing I care about is if it does so in an entertaining and internally consistent way. It's why I can love everything from Constantine to Conan The Barbarian. Such movies may not look much like the books, but the movies take on a life of their own.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 8:42:36 AM CST

    criticalbliss

    by dwide shrewd

    Mike Patton can't sing? LOL. You should stop letting people shoot their wad into your ears. A person is much more adept at hearing things the way they really are that way.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 8:55:12 AM CST

    Bad Boys 2 was fucked up

    by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks

    the greatest amount of onscreen carnage I have witnessed since the early days of Arnie's Commando.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 8:56:32 AM CST

    I Loved Constantine

    by kevinwillis.net

    But was completely unfamiliar with the source material. I also loved The World According to Garp when I saw the movie, but I didn't read the book until after.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 9:03:13 AM CST

    Tacked-On Hollywood Endings

    by zinc_chameleon

    I hate to be a hater, but if the ending of Will Smiths' 'I Am Legend' has him curing the virus, and saving the world, and getting an even cuter girlfriend, well, blame Hollywood. There's no way you could make a pitch to the suits that says: "Oh by the way, the human hero gets killed in the end, and vampires rule the world. FOREVER!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 9:27:35 AM CST

    Palewook..

    by obsd

    You forgot Six degrees of Seperation, which was Smith's greatest performance ever. Mori, it takes you an hour & 20 minutes to drive to the IMAX theater in L.A? So it's a quarter of a mile away then? Thank you! I'll be here all night!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 9:41:14 AM CST

    I'd like to see it

    by pokitn

    Does that make me a fag?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 9:52:41 AM CST

    Just a Mike Patton side note....

    by doctorwho?

    "KING FOR A DAY...FOOL FOR A LIFETIME" is one of FNM's best. I didn't realize what a freak that guy really is!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 10:26:11 AM CST

    Saw this last night

    by mkiro

    Absolutely abysmal, boring crap. The CGI is worse than the latest videogames (I'm really not exaggerating) and the storyline is so badly paced that the 100 mins running time seems easy like 2 hours at least.

    Sorry folks, but I think Mori is a PLANT!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 10:28:34 AM CST

    Hey! Mori!

    by bgdawes

    It sure would be nice if you would let us know what film you were thinking of in your Southland Tales review. For some reason I've been obsessed with trying to figure that out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 10:29:01 AM CST

    Damn it is frustrating

    by skimn

    for a film that gets so much so right, to get so much so wrong, that its down right frustrating. Many reviews have stated how its hard to see how any other actor in the role of Last Man On Earth, because of the relatability and likability of Smith. And that may be why Smith has a hard time being taken seriously as an actor, because he is so damned likable. The scene that keeps tight on his face while he deals with his dog, is amazing in its display of emotion. So, Smith's performance can't be faulted at all, as well as the production design of the abandoned New York City. Too bad the CGI artistry to enhance the cityscape could not have been extended to the Night Dwellers. When it's a campy creature feature like The Mummy, or especially Van Helsing, bad CGI creature design doesn't take us "out" of the movie as badly as here. So much attention to detail has been taken in design, and Smith's acting decisions, that the cartoony CGI vampires take us out of the movie. And the car attack scene and final house attack is much too reminiscent of I Robot. I know that they are to be feral, animal-like creatures, but they move with too much inhuman speed and strength to be taken seriously. And the secondary characters show up out of nowhere, 15 minutes later, bang, its over. It is indeed somber for a big budget "action" picture, and I think that will hurt any repeat business. I think it should be seen for Smiths performance and for the first hour. One minor detail that bugged me in the first 2 minutes of the movie, though. Would a scientist announce they have cured cancer on a Health Beat segment, wedged between sports and the weather on a local newscast? I don't think so...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 10:39:36 AM CST

    It was ok

    by heyjoe

    I saw a sneak earlier this week. The movie was ok, but a little bit light on the action. What action there was however was top notch...

    The only other thing that bothered me was the perfect condition with a fresh coat of wax on some of the vehicles (the SUV at the end in particular). It just made no sense... when would they have time to wash and wax? In between vampire attacks?

    Probably the best thing about the movie was the Bob Marley soundtrack and the scenes of deserted and overgrown NYC.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 11:00:08 AM CST

    I Am Crap

    by dssquared

    Why must writers feel they have to change so much of a book? This has little, if any, resemblance to the actual book. Is this movie cursed? And then to have Atari level CGI creatures is unbelievable and unforgivable.
    "But if you can set aside the original book". Uh, no, thats not what I should have to do. Its called "I Am Legend". I tell you what. How about if we do something like change the character in Dark Knight to a female that has super strength and speed and make Joker a rabid environmentalist on the side of good? If you can just 'set aside the comic', it would work. This movie sucked. Pass.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 11:46:15 AM CST

    Sound

    by ripper t. jones

    Love it when you guys give your opinion on sound in your reviews.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 1:38:20 PM CST

    Moriarity-Why drive so far?

    by mistahsilvah

    As a fellow resident of Da Valley, there's an IMAX theater up on Universal City Walk, and its showing I AM LEGEND in IMAX already. Just checkexc the schedule.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 1:50:21 PM CST

    Mori- I was at the same screening...

    by gil brooks

    ...and boy, did I have a different reaction- http://tinyurl.com/yv7rfs

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 2:11:55 PM CST

    It Was a Great Movie

    by kevinwillis.net

    Although the big news was the Batman Vs. Superman poster feature prominently in the movie. It had a release date on the poster, but I don't remember it. Perhaps that will come true, but the cancer-curing virus that kills most everybody and turns a bunch of 'em into vampires won't come true. That would be best.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 3:30:50 PM CST

    The Crap I am-Agreeing with dssquared-..Hello? Stick to f--kin s

    by thequietone

    I just got out of seeing "I am Legend" an hour or so. Now, I read the graphic novel first and was like "WOWed" by the depthful, dimenional, substance in not only the character of Nevillie, but the setting and situation around him. In the graphic novel, infected people did talk, but were more crazy than animalistic. In the book, the infected played games with and toyed with Neville to draw him out to become infected. Hell, one character non-stop every night screams out "Ne-ville" over and over and over again and can be something of torture just to ignore it. At the end of the book, Robert Neville screams out to the infected "I Am Legend!", because he isn't a legend for saving anybody. He is a Legend because he refuses to give in to what infected people think he should do. It's about a person't strength of character and what the Hacks of Hollywood don't have. I like Will Smith and do not put any blame on any cast of film based on books. When a Director or Producer, who has no idea of the source material, but has a script idea based on that material, he should be sued for Plagiarism. An example better than the topic in question? How about the first film arch of Batman. Everybody had an idea what they wanted to do with the character, but not how the character is in the source material. Clooney doesn't even like to mention he was Batman. It wasn't till Christopher Nolan can in and kicked everybody's ass. How? By sticking to the figgen source materical.

    Now I read a collect comic for a long time. I am pyched but still sceptical about one of the two I have in mind. G.I.Joe and the Punisher. The last Punisher tanked just like I said it would if they didn't keep it true to the book. From everything I hear and the Punisher:War Zone, I am more giddy then I have been for years. It's G.I.Joe I am sceptical about. Now everybody knows of the toys and the many generations it has changed. In the earily 80s', Larry Hama wrote the storyline and set the stage of an unbelieviable wild ride involving American created terrorists, arms developers/dealers, inter-political backstabbing within the goverment against the unit, biker gangs, and with ninjas, mercenaries, blankmail and payoffs. Larry Hama is quote to say that he wrote the book not the be just for kids, but everybody to have the attention of young and old. Hasbro sees this storyline as a means to sell "product". Devil's Due took over the storyline and did great, it was completely sold out for a few weeks, till I feel that Hasbro wanted to use this to sell more "product".

    So now there is a G.I. Joe movie in the works. But, It's not G.I.Joe, it's G.I.J.O.E. which is the most dummiest and gutless thing to do. G.I. is an American classification for a soldier. And no matter what they tell you, the chacter of Duke never fully was in charge of G.I.Joe. It was General Flagg, General Hawk, then later, General Joe Colton (who was the original G.I.Joe soldier, pre-80's era).

    I don't say that much of anything on these boards, but this type of thing is complete crap.

    Frank Miller left writing screenplays for movies for a time before writing the Sin City and 300 comic cause he stated, and I quote "I left Hollywood cause it felt like I was surrounded by dogs, and I was the fire hydrant."

    So if you see a crap of a movie, now you have a good idea where it came from.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 14, 2007 9:43:05 PM CST

    well, for the record Richard Matheson...

    by therealseveren

    felt this incarnation was the closest in feel to the book. He was just on Fangoria radio.

    Thanks for the Mike Patton comments Moriarity...agreed if I didnt know it was him going in I probably wouldnt have cared but it did add an interesting element in watching the flick. Im sure youre listening to Peeping Tom right now...still, wonder what Rahzel would've come up with?

    By the way, I respect all of you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 15, 2007 1:36:58 AM CST

    As people have mentioned...CGI looks terrible

    by space disc jockey

    I'm seeing the film tomorrow, but unfortunately, not on an IMAX screen. However, from the trailers/footage released, and as people have mentioned, the CGI just looks terrible, especially the "dark seekers". Anyway, I hear the first and second acts of this film are very good, but it's the last act that disappoints. Anyway, still looking forward to the film. Oh, and it's another remake...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 15, 2007 1:40:38 AM CST

    This isn't true IMAX

    by droogie alex

    None of these recent films are. It's
    just a digital projection on a fairly
    large screen. True IMAX is a square-ish picture coming from a 4- times larger FILM print.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 15, 2007 7:23:17 AM CST

    I liked this movie quite a bit.

    by ivehadsex

    The ending is kind of of left field but an awesome movie besides.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 15, 2007 11:25:39 AM CST

    Someone hasn't read the book...

    by docmhumphrey

    Neville says to himself, "I am Legend" because he, as a human, is legend to the community to vampires. It's ironic really, because vampires were a legend to us, until they became real and took over the Earth, this making Neville "the last legendary human" to them.On the G.I.Joe "A Real AMERICAN Hero" side of things...G.I.Joe (General Issue) Joe slang for a U.S. (That is in United States...) Soldier in WWII.Let's base them in Brussels and have them all be international agents! Isn't that what Interpol is for? I'm really tired of anti-American rhetoric. For every country I've ever visited, there are people who are douche bags, even the US. I'm sick of everyone thinking their own shit doesn't stick. Anyways, back to G.I.Joe...this isn't an argument about whether or not Optimus Prime is a Peterbuilt with flames, that particular change did not effect his character (logos, pathos, ethos). He is still Optimus Prime (For those of you who complain...I think you should complain about Optimus being a fucking gorilla first. Primal. Gay.)
    Making G.I.Joe into something other than American is the worst thing that you could possibly do. G.I.Joe represents AMERICA, over values, hearts, and minds.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Dec 15, 2007 11:38:28 AM CST

    Almost forgot!

    by docmhumphrey

    GOD, "I am Legend" sucked because he played Bob Marley the whole time instead of getting drunk to Mozart and other classical music every night.Sorry, just had to poke fun of some of the hard-core talkbackers.I enjoyed "I am Legend", Will Smith did a great job.*Spoilers*1. They should have had his daughter and wife turned into vampires and he had to kill them like in the novel. Would have added to the character.2. I did like the element that they changed the dog to being owned by Neville.3. The vampires should have been played by people. It would have been more realistic and frightening then the 90's Tool video rejects. Look at "28 Days/Weeks Later" zombs. Must more scary than the Zemekis look "Dark Seekers". Probably would have cost less for an character actor vampire/zombie in great make-up than some badly designed CG. I bet they could have found a real lion for less too.4. I really wish they would have gone for the book's ending. Saving the world and all is cool, but that wasn't the point of the story.

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  • Dec 15, 2007 3:50:28 PM CST

    But is it as good as "Pro-Life"???

    by dg

  • Dec 15, 2007 4:10:22 PM CST

    docmhumphrey

    by slappy jones

    thats all well and good about gi joe but unfortunately the rest of the world fucking HATES us right now. and rightly so. if you made a film about "gi joe- a real american hero" it will get laughed out of theatres around the world and make about 2 cents. the studio is trying to make money so it makes perfect sense.

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  • Dec 15, 2007 4:11:12 PM CST

    oh and doc nice spoiler dickhead

    by slappy jones

    real nice....

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  • Dec 15, 2007 9:01:16 PM CST

    That batman superman movie log

    by eightiesbaby

    Was that a hint of a possible future movie? And I can't believe that nobody noticed it.

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  • Dec 15, 2007 10:02:26 PM CST

    The "Put-a-dog-in-it" rule has scored big again.

    by kabong

    Double any box office if there is a dog in the movie.

    Oh, Doc, how many of those other countries have killed a million people who had nothing to do with 9/11?

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  • Dec 16, 2007 12:23:08 AM CST

    DAMN IMAX BROKE!!!!!!

    by hedleyinwa

    Anyone going to see I AM LEGEND in the Seattle area are in for a big letdown. The projector broke after two showings on Friday. They expect a part coming from Canada and hope to have it up and running sometime next week. I admit I was more excited and going to see it for the Dark Knight prologue so I was even more let down. We ended up at a regular theatre to see it Saturday and after 6 trailers, there was not even the new Dark Knight trailer that I thought they said was behind all copies of I AM LEGEND. Oh well. Let's hope they fix it soon.

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  • Dec 16, 2007 12:23:13 AM CST

    DAMN IMAX BROKE!!!!!!

    by hedleyinwa

    Anyone going to see I AM LEGEND in the Seattle area are in for a big letdown. The projector broke after two showings on Friday. They expect a part coming from Canada and hope to have it up and running sometime next week. I admit I was more excited and going to see it for the Dark Knight prologue so I was even more let down. We ended up at a regular theatre to see it Saturday and after 6 trailers, there was not even the new Dark Knight trailer that I thought they said was behind all copies of I AM LEGEND. Oh well. Let's hope they fix it soon.

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  • Dec 16, 2007 11:14:07 AM CST

    this was not a good movie

    by happy boy

    the only impactful portion of the entire thing is loneliness but it's ruined by the obvious CGI and the ham-fistedness of the narrative. doesn't help that Will Smith plays it like John Wayne with a gansta-wannabe scowl that substitutes for any real pathos. IMO the 5 minutes of naked london in 28 days later does this much better and much more economically. But go ahead and plug this movie for the noobs.

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  • Dec 16, 2007 3:59:11 PM CST

    On G.I.Joe and worldly view of America

    by thequietone

    Ok. America is not being seen too at all these days around the world. So how would somebody sell a product that was strongly American for so long to a world with this state of mind?

    Change the concept of creation it has held for decades? Hell no. They is a possible solution is anybody at all read the damn comic book in the 80s as what film makers said this movie will been based from.

    Within the storyline, there was a group of high ranking Admirals and Generals who had their own agenda in the Pentagon. They tired numerous times to break G.I.Joe apart and basicly thought they could do whatever the hell they wanted because of their postion. They were finally dis-credited and broken apart as knowledge of them weakened the power they had.

    Because of things done in some military factions does not mean it speaks for America as a whole. Anybody in Hollywood knows the effect of a good story, with the right spin on it, can give the audience a broader scope and not just a narrow view of what is to be believed.

    Instead, G.I.Joe is turned completely not from America origan. Telling everybody in the world that even being thought of as American is bad. Isn't that why G.I.Joe was called Action Force overseas for European tastes? I am am American and proud of being so. The majority of people reading this are American. Not everything of being an American is bad, nor should the world see that we should change are politics at a drop of a hat to get more money at the box office.

    Didn't being an American at one time have principles? Didn't we stand up for a people died for freedoms we have today?

    So now countries that never knew about the importance in Amercian history this toy had, will learn they switch colors and flags to make money.

    That is just f--kin sad.

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  • Dec 16, 2007 10:34:20 PM CST

    LEGEND is biggest December opening ever

    by nohubris

    It debuted with $76.5 million. Here's a link:http://tinyurl.com/ywdgmpI saw it Friday and found it to be thoroughly entertaining, although I understand why people were disappointed with the CGI. Two things made it work for me - (1) Will Smith made me believe that Neville was clearly committed to his mission at ground zero and (2) the suspense element, which was huge.

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  • Dec 17, 2007 8:49:20 AM CST

    Smith is Great, The Movie is a Producer's/Star's Mess!

    by grinning white skull

    Perfect example of too many producer's fingers in the mix, totally screwing up all logic, tone and pacing for the film. Smith is great but so what? I can't believe Moriarty could write such praise for such Hollywood crap fest. You shoot deer while driving a car? A car you have to labor-intensively hand-pump and go find gas for? You sit on a building and shoot deer with a high-powered rifle. But noooo, the producers/star wanted a "fast car racing through the streets" scene. You throw out all logic with how Smith's ass is saved on the docks by how? You don't show it! My God this was terrible writing! Oh, and speaking of God, you completely throw out Matheson's ending for a piece of religious tripe!!! And you can go on and on about the vampires and the tone shifts and so much more. I hate to say it but the usually well-reasoned Moriarty review (the most respected guy on this site and I'd also say his work holds up against most other film reviewers in all media) that would skewer the hell out of something like this ...went riding with the Hollywood Santa Claus on this review.

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  • Dec 17, 2007 9:05:25 AM CST

    CGI and Writing of a bad SciFI Channel Movie...

    by jones1899

    First half was great. Smith was decent, but not Oscar worthy (save for that one K9 scene). Horrible pacing after that. Blah, blah, blah.
    Biggest issue I had was the SHOCKINGLY BAD CGI effects. I thought we had been sent an early print og the movie! Seriously, that bad. My 360 has better graphics. Special Effects are everything, unless they suck enough to completely pull you out of the movie. USE REAL ACTORS! USE REAL ANIMALS! Or use WETA.

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  • Dec 17, 2007 9:06:27 AM CST

    special effects AREN'T ^ Everything.

    by jones1899

  • Dec 17, 2007 10:45:22 AM CST

    Point of my post...

    by docmhumphrey

    So why should our current worldly status have an effect on G.I.Joe?It shouldn't.Point #2 I put up a spoiler alert, so there is no reason for name calling. If someone writes "SPOILER", and you read on, the only fool is you, as you have no reason to complain.

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  • Jan 01, 2008 5:11:29 PM CST

    Akiva should never be allowed to "polish" a script again...

    by zerocorpse

    The person responsible for "Batman & Robin" has turned "I Am Legend" from a story about perspective and human nature into a mealy-mouthed, rah-rah-God, martrydom story. FUCKING ASSHOLE.

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