Will Smith, Alice Braga, Salli Richardson

Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest, the sole survivor in New York City struggles valiantly to find a cure.

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69% liked it

629,591 ratings

Critics

68% liked it

203 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Francis Lawrence

Release Date: December 14, 2007

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DVD Release Date: March 18, 2008

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Stats: 110,807 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (110,807)


  • October 2, 2009
    I can see why a lot of people didn't like this film. It's not mindless and full of explosions. I guess people were looking for an action film. Ha, good, I'm glad, because this is a rather good character study of the last man on earth, which is a far more interesting story than an...( read more)y 'Die hardesqe' film. I personally think that this is Will Smith's best role so far. It?s also a very good , updated, adaptation. I would go as far to say it?s better than the Omega man! It?s not as good as A boy and his dog but it was a pleasant surprise! The night-walkers looked a bit shit though :o(
  • May 31, 2009
    Will Smith plays a researcher who is trying to find a cure to a plague that has transformed most of humanity into Morlock-like beings. He and his dog are the last sane beings in New York city.

    I enjoyed the movie. It has its share of terror, hope and sadness. Will does a gr...( read more)eat job, and he has to carry the movie on his own for most of it. I read that this is the third movie based on the novel of the same name. I would like to see the other two now ('The Last Man on Earth' [1964] and 'The Omega Man' [1971])
  • May 11, 2009
    Yes, Will Smith is gorgeous and can carry a movie on his own. The only thing lacking in this movie was a sense of plausibility.
  • April 7, 2009
    There are two problems with this flick mainly, one, the idea and look of of the film is now been done sooooo often, recently with 28 Days and Weeks Later in London and to be fair they are a much better grittier afair than this Hollywood cgi offering. The whole idea of civilizatio...( read more)n turning into zombies, vampires or being wiped out etc.. has been done to death and Im afraid this film is just too late. The other problem is the miscast of Will Smith. Smith is an ok actor, mainly a comedic or action based actor, and he just cant pull this of. Scenes involving sadness, grief or loneliness are just not fully realised by smith because he cant get around his comedy background, he just doesn't fit the role. A case of big name for big film Im afraid. The film is actually ok, the effects of a desolate NY are great and haunting, its not very scary but it does bring a slight chill in certain silent moments. The night creatures are abit plastic lookin Im afraid, alittle bit too Golem hehe I did'nt like the Resident Evil style zombie dogs either, too silly and the score is a tad flat but overall its a good film just nothing special and not as good as 28 Days Later. One thing puzzles me...how did lions and wild gazelle or whatever end up grazing and living in NY city? ok everybodies dead but how the hell does that happen? lol
  • March 19, 2009
    Never loses momentum, boasts great special effects, and unlike most movies of its kind, this one actually has interesting character depth and offers something to think about.
  • November 6, 2009
    Just saw this with half an eye again. Being up, doing nothing at 3.30 am will make you watch anything.
    But seeing this again really puzzled me as to how I could give this two stars. I made some comments about acting and some other bullshit which probably had merit. But as I sat ...( read more)through my nightshift rewatching this, I got angrier and angrier. Twice have hollywood tried adapting Richard Matheson's sci-fi gem 'I Am Legend' and twice have they pissed all over him. How can they claim this is inspired by his book when they have turned it around and made it about the exact opposite of what the book tries to convey?

    So this film is worth not even half a star. It's worth zero. Instead I will now recommend the book for you guys. If you haven't read it you should do it before reading this 'review' since I will reveal some things best left unknown before you read it to prove why this film stinks. Seriously. Read it.
    The book starts after the world has succumbed to a disease that has turned every human into vampires. Everyone but Robert Neville who is immune. He spends his nights locked in his house that he has fortified and the vampires come to this house as he is, obviously, a rarity they'd like to feed upon. But at day he is the hunter. He scavenge for resources and food and hunts for vampires of course. He both wants to kill them but also study them as he hopes for a cure. He even has to study the vampires of legend as he knows theres a possibility that Dracula and his kin have really existed.
    But as he does this he becomes the boogeyman of the nightmares. As the vampires evolve from the diseased bloodthirsty beasts into 'civilized' creatures that lives in cities and make laws to keep order, Neville becomes the monster that strikes at 'night' when they sleep. Killing them in their sleep, dragging them into the streets/sun so they die while the other vampires watch in fear from the shadows, kidnapping children or parents to experiment on them. In the end the vampires are the frightened mob, like the one that storm castle frankenstein in the films, attacking that which they fear or do not understand.
    So in the end, when Neville stands trial and are sentenced, it even makes sense to him because he is the monster. He is Dracula. He is legend...
    So, even though we know humans are 'humane', is he in his right to try and destroy a new civilization that rises when ours has fallen? Even if we know it to be evil? And that is what this film could have done so beautifully in it's time with Bush fucking around on his high horse forcing his good ideals and righteous ways down the throat of others.
    And then they make this simpleton film with some cocked up 'I am legend because I save humanity'. Put aside that I'm not a big fan of humanity, this film could have been beautiful even to a philanthropist who I am sure could have appreciated the irony had it been made in Mathesons image.
    So... if you've seen the film and hated it, I beg of you, read the book. It deserves the vindication!
  • November 5, 2009
    really pitty being left alone..
  • November 5, 2009
    da 1 dat i like da most
  • November 3, 2009
    I am Legend is filled with tense moments creating petrified feeling of what will happen next or what may jump/creep towards your screen.

    Castor Troy

  • November 2, 2009
    it seemed very short

Critic Reviews


December 28, 2007
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

first-time feature director Francis Lawrence deserves an ovation for his scene-setting and early scare count. full review

December 14, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

I Am Legend is a blockbuster like no other, one that finds its grandness in modesty. It's a star vehicle with a star who knows his place in the universe. full review

December 14, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie works well while it's running, although it raises questions that later only mutate in our minds. full review

December 14, 2007
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Lawrence's direction is patient, solid and suspenseful, and his vision of a lone fellow wandering through the atavistic hulk of Manhattan yields an indelible portrait of post-cataclysmic solitude. full review

December 14, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

[Smith's] powerful performance is not enough to save the movie -- initially a potent meditation on loneliness and an absorbing doomsday action movie -- from taking a wrong turn and never getting back ... full review

December 14, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

Mind-blowing excitement, an expert thriller that really thrills and makes you think. A special shout-out for the dog, Sam. Now that's acting! full review

December 13, 2007
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

In spite of its third-act collapse into obviousness and sentimentality, I Am Legend is among Will Smith's better movies.

December 13, 2007
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Big Willie has no problem holding the screen. In fact, trouble enters only when the script overcomplicates things in the end. Until then, especially in a growling dogfight, director Francis Lawrence k... full review

December 12, 2007
Armond White, The New York Press

While I Am Legend is formulaic sci-fi action (ripping-off 28 Weeks Later) it's only interesting as a cultural-political artifact. full review

December 10, 2007
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

The first two thirds and change of I Am Legend is terrific mindless fun: crackerjack action with gnashing vampires barely glimpsed (and scarier for that) and how'd-they-do-that New York locations that... full review

View more I Am Legend reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • Ezzo18
    March 13, 2009
    Just PERFECT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • xhesy
    February 13, 2009
    i like this movie is very fantastik and amazing..Will Smith you are very good actor and very coll.GOD BLESS YOU...
  • MackenzieTheGreat
    February 1, 2009
    I Am Legend, it seems like people really like it, or don't like it. I for one, LOVED it! And I have to admit that the CGI wasn't the best I've ever seen, but to me, I Am Legend isn't about the looks. It was the story that got me. The idea that you are the only person in NYC would scare the death outta me. And then having to kill your best friend. It was when I was watching I Am Legend that I realized what the true meaning of being alone was.
  • hadhoda4u
    October 10, 2008
    will was creative ....strong movie ,fantastic....will reached my top actress list bacause this film.....
  • hadhoda4u
    October 10, 2008
    will was creative ....strong movie ,fantastic....will reached my top actress list bacause this film.....
  • Zack437885
    September 12, 2008
    Will Smith killing his dog! Now thats fu#ked up.
  • perfectgentlemn
    July 20, 2008
    Very cool movie, had no idea what this movie was about when I started. Great action & horror, excellent visuals. Worth owning the DVD, Enjoy ;)
  • MissBexeh
    June 17, 2008
    It was a good film. Will smith did a good job and it was quite creepy! One things for certain, will smith is damn hot and a brilliant actor.
  • jbokenham
    May 31, 2008
    Finally I have picked up a good movie from the video store. It's a good thriller having you sitting on the edge of your seat. It is a bit scary no doubt about that. Not for the faint hearted. Will Smith's acting is superb, The special effects and the story are believ'able. Also the director should be credited for doing a fine job. However, I wished the dog survived. Overall It a great film for the type of movie that it portrayal's.
  • fabulousguy2007
    May 9, 2008
    Could someone help me in downloading this movie? Can u give me a website address, where i could download hollywood movies?

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I Am Legend Trivia


  • In what movie is this line spoken? "I AM IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION!"  Answer »
  • The Omega Man (1971) and The Last Man on Earth (1964) are both adaptations of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend. True or false?  Answer »
  • the upcoming film "i am legend" staring will smith, was originally based on which book by which author  Answer »
  • Will Smith left production of I Am Legend for a couple of days to attend the wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes in Rome.  Answer »

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