Title: I Am Legend
Release Date: 12/12/2007
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller
Plot
In the post-apocalyptic world of “I Am Legend,” Dr. Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, is the last human survivor in New York City. A devastating virus, originally created as a cure for cancer, has wiped out most of humanity, leaving only a few mutated survivors and hordes of aggressive, vampire-like creatures called “Darkseekers.”
The film opens with Neville’s daily routine: hunting for food and supplies during the day and barricading himself inside his fortified house at night.
He spends his days conducting experiments in an attempt to find a cure for the virus. Neville’s only companions are his loyal German Shepherd, Samantha, and his trusty collection of DVDs.
Flashbacks reveal that Neville was a military virologist tasked with creating a cure for the virus, which had initially shown promise in a test subject, a genetically modified woman named Alice.
However, the virus mutated, spreading rapidly and turning its victims into lethal, bloodthirsty creatures. Neville’s wife and daughter succumbed to the virus, leaving him consumed by grief and the burden of finding a cure.
Neville’s isolation takes a toll on his mental well-being, and he often experiences vivid dreams and hallucinations of his family and a pre-apocalyptic New York. However, his determination to find a cure keeps him going.
One day, while out hunting, Neville accidentally traps himself in a dark building, surrounded by a horde of Darkseekers. Narrowly escaping with his life, he realizes that the creatures are becoming more intelligent, setting traps and even communicating with each other.
Neville’s routine is disrupted when he comes across a woman named Anna and a young boy named Ethan. They were on their way to a survivor’s colony in Vermont when they were attacked by Darkseekers.
Neville rescues them and brings them back to his fortified house. As they bond, Anna shares the tragic story of how the virus spread across the world, leaving Neville awestruck by the extent of the devastation.
As Neville continues his research, he captures a female Darkseeker for his experiments. However, he soon discovers that the Darkseekers are sentient beings capable of feeling emotions and forming familial bonds.
He realizes that the cure he has been striving for would mean exterminating an entire population of sentient beings. Driven by guilt, Neville releases the captured Darkseeker and plans to send Anna and Ethan to the survivor’s colony.
However, the Alpha Darkseeker, the leader of the pack, orchestrates a brutal attack on Neville’s house. In a heart-pounding battle, Neville sacrifices himself to save Anna and Ethan, injecting himself with a vial of his experimental cure and setting off an explosion that destroys the attacking Darkseekers.
Anna and Ethan make their way to the survivor’s colony, armed with Neville’s research, giving them hope for a cure. In the final moments of the film, it is revealed that Neville’s sacrifice was not in vain as his cure is successfully replicated and administered to other survivors.
“I Am Legend” explores themes of isolation, grief, and the ethics of scientific experiments. It delves into the question of what it means to be human in a world devoid of humanity.
Will Smith delivers a powerful performance as Dr. Robert Neville, capturing the character’s vulnerability and determination. The film’s stunning cinematography and gripping action sequences create a visceral viewing experience, immersing the audience in the desolate world of “I Am Legend.”
6 Best Scenes from I Am Legend
1. The opening sequence showcasing the desolate and abandoned streets of a post-apocalyptic New York City:
In this gripping opening sequence, the audience is introduced to the hauntingly empty streets of New York City.
Robert Neville (played by Will Smith) drives through desolate streets, overgrown with vegetation, providing an eerie visual of a world ravaged by a deadly virus. The atmosphere of desolation is established through the absence of any signs of life, with only Neville and his trusty dog, Sam, making their way through the abandoned city.
This scene establishes the tone of isolation and despair that permeates throughout the entire film, setting up the main conflict for Neville as the last surviving human in the city. The emptiness and dilapidation of the once vibrant cityscape serve as a powerful reminder of the devastating effects of the virus and the subsequent collapse of society.
Visually stunning and emotionally impactful, this opening sequence captures the audience’s attention, leaving them intrigued about Neville’s lone existence and curious about the events that led to this haunting aftermath. 2.
Robert Neville’s encounter with a deer in a deserted Washington Square Park:
In this poignant scene, Neville explores an empty Washington Square Park and unexpectedly encounters a deer grazing amidst the wilderness. Struck by the sight of a wild animal thriving in this desolated environment, Neville is momentarily transported back to the pre-apocalyptic world.
He observes the deer cautiously, awestruck at the beauty of nature that is still present amidst the devastation. This encounter evokes a glimmer of hope within Neville, reminding him that life can still exist in this ravaged world.
It illuminates his longing for the return of society and his yearning for companionship. The interaction with the deer symbolizes Neville’s connection to the natural world and his desire to find a sense of normalcy and purpose in his lonely existence.
This scene holds significance as it showcases Neville’s vulnerability and his undying optimism, which propels the character’s development throughout the narrative. It also adds depth to the film’s themes of isolation and survival, highlighting the power of small moments of beauty and serenity in the midst of chaos.
3. Neville’s rescue of a dog he names Sam and their subsequent bond:
In a heartwarming and emotionally charged scene, Neville comes across a terrified and injured dog while exploring an abandoned building.
Despite his initial hesitation, Neville decides to save the dog, whom he names Sam, and nurses her back to health. This moment signifies a turning point in Neville’s life he no longer has to face the challenges of his solitary existence alone.
The bond that forms between Neville and Sam becomes a ray of light in his otherwise bleak existence, providing him with companionship, loyalty, and a reason to keep going. This scene also serves as a metaphor for the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for love and connection, even in the most dire circumstances.
Neville’s decision to save Sam demonstrates his innate goodness, despite the harsh world he inhabits. The friendship that develops between them becomes a driving force in the film, propelling Neville’s actions and decisions as he fights for their survival.
This pivotal scene showcases the power of companionship and the impact it can have on an individual’s emotional well-being and will to live. Furthermore, it highlights the contrast between the barren landscape of the post-apocalyptic world and the warmth and love that can still be found within the hearts of its inhabitants.
4. Neville’s discovery of a colony of infected humans led by Alpha, an intelligent and organized alpha male:
While searching for a cure to the virus, Neville stumbles upon a group of infected humans who display higher intelligence and organization than the mindless creatures he has encountered before.
Led by Alpha, a charismatic alpha male infected human, the group appears to possess a hierarchical structure and communication system. This shocking revelation shatters Neville’s belief that he is the only survivor and raises questions about the nature of the infected and the possibility of finding a cure.
It also adds a layer of complexity and moral ambiguity to the film, prompting viewers to question who the true monsters are in this post-apocalyptic world. Neville’s encounter with Alpha and his colony serves as a turning point in the plot, as it challenges Neville’s preconceptions and forces him to reevaluate his approach to survival and the possibility of coexistence.
5. The climactic battle between Neville, Sam, and the infected in an abandoned warehouse:
In a tense and action-packed sequence, Neville and Sam find themselves trapped in an abandoned warehouse surrounded by a horde of infected humans.
Armed with his makeshift weapons and his determination to protect Sam, Neville fights for their lives against overwhelming odds. The battle serves as a thrilling climax to the film, showcasing Neville’s resourcefulness, strength, and unwavering resolve.
Despite facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, Neville’s determination and love for Sam drive him to fight with everything he has. The scene is filled with intense moments of suspense and emotional depth, as Neville faces the possibility of losing his only companion and his own survival in the face of the infected.
The outcome of this battle not only determines Neville’s fate but also signifies a turning point in the film’s narrative, highlighting the importance of human connection and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about. 6.
Neville’s sacrifice to save Anna and Ethan by detonating a grenade while they escape to a safe haven:
In a heartbreaking and selfless act, Neville realizes that the only way to save Anna and Ethan, a mother and son who have made their way to him for help, is by sacrificing himself. As the infected close in on them, Neville hands Anna a grenade and instructs her to take Ethan to safety while he stays behind to hold off the pursuing horde.
This poignant moment showcases Neville’s growth as a character, as he has gone from a lone survivor solely concerned with his own survival to someone willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect others. Neville’s sacrifice represents the triumph of humanity and love over despair and isolation.
It is a powerful conclusion to the film, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for selflessness even in the darkest of times. The scene leaves a lasting impact on the audience, delivering a bittersweet resolution to Neville’s journey and emphasizing the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and hope that run through the movie’s narrative structure.
