I Am Legend Analysis Essay Example
I Am Legend Analysis Essay Example

I Am Legend Analysis Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (633 words)
  • Published: September 26, 2017
  • Type: Autobiography
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Will Smith plays the role of Robert Neville, a genius scientist who failed to control a relentless and manmade virus. Despite being immune, Neville is now the sole survivor in what is left of New York City.

Despite being alone, the protagonist in the story is not truly alone - he is accompanied by "the Infected", victims of a plague that has turned them into vicious, carnivorous creatures. These beings can only survive in darkness and will attack or infect anything or anyone they come across.

Over the past three years, Neville has devoted his days to scavenging for food and resources, while also broadcasting desperate radio messages in hopes of finding other survivors. However, the Infected are always present in the shadows, observing Neville's every move and patiently waiting for him to make a fatal mistake.

Mankind's last hope, Ne

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ville, is driven by a single mission: to reverse the virus's effects using his immune blood. However, The Infected also pursue Neville's blood, and he knows he is outnumbered and running out of time. Personally, I must applaud 'Smith' for playing a character who remains alone throughout the entire film. What captivates me about this film is not just the story but also how elegantly it adapts and unfolds. From the start, the audience emotionally connects with Robert Neville (Smith), and I found myself rooting for him to find a cure and restore civilization. The film explores themes of honor, pride, passion, love, hate, and determination—I even came close to shedding tears multiple times.

Throughout the film, Smith's situation gradually worsens until the very end. The most poignant yet beautiful scene in the entire film occurs when 'Robert's' go

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'Samantha' dies and Smith drives away in his SUV. The camera zooms out from Smith, revealing a magnificent view of the road and cars, emphasizing how truly alone he is in the world and how he experiences emotional, mental, and physical loneliness. Not only is he the last man in New York, but he also loses his only means of interaction - his dog. Even the most masculine of men can become in touch with their feminine side. Overall, I rate this film 9.5/10. The only downside for me was its relatively short length.

The irony arises from the juxtaposition of 'Robert Neville' residing in 'Washington Square' in New York. In 'Henry James' novel titled 'Washington Square', the characters encounter a comparable deprivation of their possessions, much like 'Robert'. Of all the characters portrayed in the novel, only Catherine exhibits composure and determination to defend her convictions. She resolutely rejects her father's authority over her. Likewise, Robert Neville adamantly refuses to allow the world to crumble and obliterate everything. He proclaims, "I will not permit this occurrence."

'Catherine and Robert share undeniable similarities in character. It is noteworthy that 'I am legend' was written subsequent to 'Washington Square'. The film is certainly worth viewing as it provides authentic action, genuine emotion, and a substantial amount of determination. KP.

The Will Smith movie I Am Legend was a major hit, making history as the highest grossing December opening ever with $77.2 million at the box office. While audiences enjoyed the film, some felt let down by its surprising conclusion. Fortunately, a DVD release offered an alternate version that provided the satisfying ending many desired. The contrasting emotional impact of

these two versions can be traced back to Hollywood executives' aversion to negative endings, as the original ending was undoubtedly tragic.

In this version, Neville (Will Smith) not only failed to find a cure but also realized that he had killed numerous sentient and evolving beings who possessed the crucial human quality of love. Overwhelmed by guilt and self-disgust, he could only collapse to the floor in a desperate state of hopelessness.

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