Sidewalks On The Corner

He battled invading aliens in "Independence Day." He shut down robots gone bad in "I, Robot." He fought creatures in “Men in Black.” Now the former Fresh Prince, Oscar®-nominated Will Smith, faces his ultimate enemy in the new Sci-Fi/drama, “I AM LEGEND.”

Follow up:

In the year 2009, Dr. Krippin (played by an uncredited Emma Thomson) and military scientist Robert Neville (Smith) created a definite cure for cancer, and it seemed like a bright future was ahead for the medical world. Until the unthinkable happened, this new cure they've created has mutated. Patients who received treatment began showing signs of unusual symptoms. The fate of the human race was now at stake. They were unprepared for the devastating results. 3 years later, this man-made disease has decimated the population. But Neville is somehow immune, and he walks the Earth alone … or so he thinks. The infected humans have come back to haunt him.

Based on the novel of the same name by author Richard Matheson , “I Am Legend” is a freighting look into a future where mankind plays God a little too well and, as a result, the human race becomes extinct. I can think of zillions of movies that “I Am Legend” resembles, but it closely matches some classic films like 1964’s "The Last Man on Earth" starring Vincent Price and 1971’s "The Omega Man" starring Charlton Heston. But this retooling of the classic films has an emotional impact that draws you in little by little and leaves a lasting impression on the imagination.

Will Smith's performance is outstanding as he is plagued by the flashbacks and dreams of loosing his family in the wake of serious bio warfare, while insanity begins to take its toll. Smith leads you throughout the story by his sheer ability to squeeze the emotion out of every scene. And as you're pulled into his world, you start to believe that he is alone and in pain from his loss. That's what make this film so disturbing, because it draws on the emotions and back-story first, rather than rely heavily on the special effects. The film is tense and gritty, and it keeps your pulse pounding through out.

Directed by Francis Lawrence ("Constantine”), the adaptation, written by Mark Protosevich and Akiva Goldsman, falls back on the original story from the novel, and they did a fantastic job of bringing the book to life. As for the few co-stars in the movie, once again Smith makes it a family affair as he brings his daughter, Willow, to play none other than his daughter Marley Neville in her feature debut. She only has a few scenes in the film, but her performance provides the heart for the story. Salli Richardson (“Antwone Fisher," TV’s Eureka) plays Neville’s wife, Zoe, who gives the emotional supported needed to convey the story. Alice Braga (“City of God”) played the saving grace Anna who brings Will's character back to reality. She was the basis for a logical ending and without her the story would have fallen flat.

The effects are slightly flimsy due to the CGI creatures that were created. The vampire-like zombies tend to look too rubbery in only a few scenes, but that doesn't take away from the fact these CGI monsters are horrifying. The CGI street scenes, which made New York City look barren and empty, were impressive.

Will Smith has truly earned his place as a "Legend" on the Walk of Fame. This movie will make him an instant legend. "I Am Legend" is disturbing, real, tense and powerfully told. This was an excellent film.