I Am Legend

WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
Click here to show this review. I am giving this movie a 6/10, even though I saw it in the most perfect setting: in an Imax theater with the best picture and sound. So that should say a lot as to my overall appreciation of the movie."I Am Legend" is flawed. This movie needed to be AT LEAST 20 minutes longer, most probably 30 minutes longer. At one hour 40 minutes, it falls short of delivering a good, solid story. Too many things remain unanswered. Too much storyline was not explained enough. The writing is seriously flawed, as a lot of storyline progression either makes no sense, is impossible, or is just not addressed (maybe hoping nobody notices) I don't like it when certain important setting details are presented, only later to be overcome without explanation. SPOILER ALERT: The movie makes it a point to present Will Smith as a scientist that takes a scientific approach to his survival and daily routine... and manages to survive for over 3 years based on that, and then starts making stupid mistakes that contradict what the story showed us. Just one more example. The movie makes it a point to show and explain that the island of New York is totally isolated and cut off from the rest of the world. And then a woman shows up from outside NY, no explanation as to how she just got there, except that she heard his radio message. And at the end, she leaves and makes it to Vermont, again no explanation as to how she got off NY. And I am a HUGE fan of realism when making such movies. So when I see Will Smith driving a shiny, spotless, showroom red Shelby around, I can't help but think "product placement". The same goes to the scene where the female and her son drive up to the compound in Vermont at the end. They are supposed to be at the end of a long journey, yet their SUV is showroom shiny. Just not realistic in this supposed wasteland. To me, the director has sold out. And there are so many more examples of bad writing, bad acting, and just plain bad directing. Am I being too harsh on this movie? No way. With all the money that goes into movies, we have the right to expect realism and tight storylines. I also found the special effects a little too off. The "vampires" were very digital, so the scenes between Will Smith and the vampires just don't cut it. So my 6/10 is pretty generous. But I will leave it at 6/10, due in most part to the amazing picture and sound quality of the Imax experience.