In the book, the whole point is the fact that I Am Legend is the fact the NEVILLE is now the hunter in a new world of vampires. They are scared of him while he hunts them during the day. Like we used to fear a vampire, in this new world, they fear a human. Hence – I Am Legend.

One thing I would have liked to have seen is a flashback scene that shows the last of Neville’s human companions succumbing to the darkseekers before he finds himself alone in Manhattan. When he stays behind to deal with the virus, he presumably had other personnel working with him. One complaint I have with the movie is that you never see anyone actually get killed by a darkseeker, so a flashback of Neville seeing one of his assistants get ripped to pieces would have been cool.

The CGI monsters were a mistake and so was the CGI deer and lion stuff. The filmmakers could have just paid some Discovery channel producer for some nature footage and used special effects to add it to the film. Would’ve been a hell of a lot more belivable.

As far as CGI goes, generally, I say only use CGI when absolutely necessary. CGI, with rare exceptions like Lord of the Rings, can really take the magic out of movies. I’m not against it and think it DEFINITELY is needed a lot for movies like Spider-Man and whatnot, but if it’s not necessary, then why use it? Sure, it’s easier than applying make-up for hours every day, but these are $100 million plus movies… they’re not supposed to be EASY. I just think of Jim Henson movies like The Dark Crystal and how much work they must of put into that to make it so magical and believable, and well… that’s how much work and passion I wish people put into every movie.

Spoiler ahead…

As for Will Smith continuing down the darkened halls, he was looking for his dog, the only thing that was holding that guy together. Peoples attachment to there pets can be a seriously strong bond. Add the fact that he has no one else but his dog, I totally get why he’d continue on into the dark. It was his only family, his only friend. What wouldn’t a person do?

After he ends up losing the dog, he ends up losing his mind, and decides to kill as many vamps as he can before he is taken out. He had nothing left to loose.

I was a bit annoyed at the cinema-stupid choices Will Smith’s character makes in the film, most obviously the continuing down dark vampire filled hallways even after seeing a pool of blood. Also the cinema-stupid screenplay: can someone explain to me why, once the light had finally disappeared, the actual vampires had not rampaged out to attack the injured Neville, instead of just letting the dogs go out? He kills the dogs, and suddenly he is driving home. I guess the vampires had more important things to do?

Despite the acting and ‘zombies’ in LMoE, I do still consider it one of the great Sci-Fi classics.

Andrew you were dead on: “Morgan, come on outside Morgan”… thats a drinking game if ever there was one.

Of course, talking about the accoutrements (in your apartment or on your person) is at this point (post-cinecast ranting) more interesting than dwelling on the stale-swill that is I Am Legend at this point.

But just to contradict myself, I watched OMEGA MAN last night, and damn if that film isn’t 100% solid entertainment from start to finish. It’s equal parts kooky and sincere to the point of pure bliss (particularly the christ-like ending) from where I”m coming from. I had forgotten just how delightful the albino-cult was, or Charleton Heston’s clumsy exposition moments were. The Hest lip-synching WOODSTOCK – the irony, the joy. I like the LAST MAN ON EARTH for its good social sci-fi elements, but I’d have to say for balls out entertainment, you can’t beat the 1971 version. Yet another reason to dismiss I AM LEGEND and its pandering stupidity.

And great sign-off with the wink. Way better than “good night and good luck,” or “stay classy San Diego.”

And I’ll agree that Curry is great in Legend but Stormare is so damned cool…

@ Marina – Tim Curry in Legend is the best Satan EVER.