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I Am Legend (2007)
Topic Started: Dec 16 2007, 02:18 PM (386 Views)
Inspector Carr
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Well The wife and I decided to take in a film today considering how snowy slushy and generally nasty the weather is.....and that film being I am Legend. based on the novel by Richard Matheson and brought to screen twice before in 1964 as "The Last man on Earth" starring Vincent Price and and a hipper version in 1973 starring Charlton Heston entitled Omega Man....

This Version does not have the low budget feel of both previous versions in fact it reeks of big budget film making (which is not a bad thing) and in a world of overly done CGI effects in front of a blue or green screen. most of I am Legend filmed in the streets of New York City. on early Saturday and Sunday Mornings when traffic was at a minimum and could be controlled...the set designers turned viable sections of the city into ravaged wasteland, where nature is slowly taking back it's domain. and yes there are CGI shots of deer and lions long since escaped from the Central park zoo sharing the daylight with Robert Neville (Will Smith) and most of the murderous hordes of "Darkseekers" the ravaged remains of mankind that have been horribly mutated into Vampiric meat-eaters who run rampant through the streets during the nighttime hours.

unlike the slow moving manifestations of The last man on earth (which George Romero has sited as inspiration for Night of the Living dead) and the corny cult like cowl wearing albino monks of 1973's the Omega Man. These remnants of humanity are rabid wall crawling tougher than nails acrobatic bat like creatures (minus the wings of course) they fit the description of the cover art of a reprinting of Matheson's tale a few years back (below)

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But the film is really Will Smith. he along with the Island of Manhattan and his faithful German Sidekick Samantha are the only actors (save for flashbacks) on the film for the first half. and Smith does a stellar job not only portraying the pain, loss and paranoia of a man alone with his only companions being besides his faithful pooch the mannequins he has set up in a local video store that he interacts with when he goes to check out a film...but also a man on a mission to undo the wrongs mankind has released upon themselves

there are moments of true creepiness especially when Sam chases a deer (potential dinner for the two of them) into an abandoned warehouse, and though during the daylight hours, the perfect conditions for a hive of Darkseekers.

the film really only starts to slow down when two other humans stumble into Neville's world. and the ending unlike most films is not Hollywoodized but kept pretty much intact to convey the principles of the original novel but the previous two filmed versions....

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Strangely enough after the success of Total Recall director Paul Verhoven (besides Total Recall he also directed Starship Troopers and Showgirls) was attached to an updated remake back in the early 1990's with Arnold Schwarznegger in the role of Robert Neville. I saw this fan made homage on the net and could not pass it up so here it is to share.

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The project never came to fruition (after seeing the Will Smith film I am very happy about that) and Arnold decided to create his own legend by running as Governor of California, and don't you worry he has more than likely run into more "Darkseekers" in the world of politics than on any movie set.

"Life is a Crapshoot however you need a pair of dice to participate"
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Black Tiger
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I Am Legend the novel is great by Richard Matheson, who wrote many memorable episodes of the Twilight Zone. The last man on earth is a hunter by day of virus-infected flesh-eating zombies who in turn hunt him by night. Some really clever plot twists and a wonderful ending.

I Am Legend the movie is not nearly as enjoyable. I did enjoy Will Smith's performance and it was interesting seeing a deserted, decaying NYC of the future, but so much of the emphasis of the story was changed that it really isn't the same. The zombie cgi was sub-par and detracted rather than enhanced the story. Once again, a popular story has been tweaked and revised by screenplay adapters to change so much of what made the novel exceptional in the first place. I'm all for action-adventures, but the story is really important to me too. I found the first hour a dreadful bore. Smith just surviving, not really taking the war to the zombies was interesting for about 20 minutes, but was much too padded for my taste. Granted there is a scary and creepy scene of Smith walking into a dark, deserted building with a cocked rifle and narrow light source, but more often than not, this film disappoints. The new ending also unsatisfying.

The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price still remains the best adaptation of the novel.
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Greypilgrim
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Philip K. Dick is STILL spinning in his grave for some of the adaptions they made using HIS material as a "base".

Blade Runner is STILL being tweaked and re-released on a "hey-we-forgot-to leave-this-in", or "how-do these-cgi's-look??"

How many various copies of that film are there now??

I don't think there ever will be a gratifying page-to-screen film.

The movie that came closest was "The Green Mile".

I read the seralized version when it first came out and was more than satisfted with the adaptation.

What was cut out of the book only made the story in the movie move more fluidly.

I had no problem with that.

And I thought Dabs Greer did an excellent job on the film.
..................................................................

And for all you Will Smith fans....

In JULY they will be releasing a movie called Hancock, that's about a homeless man (Smith, of course) with superpowers who doesn't seem to make the right choices in using them as say, Superman would.

Sometimes things just don't go right.

Taking what I have from the ads, it's about the rise and fall and second rising of a superhero.

Looks interesting.
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Inspector Carr
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greypilgrim
Dec 22 2007, 06:45 AM
Philip K. Dick is STILL spinning in his grave for some of the adaptions they made using HIS material as a "base".

Blade Runner is STILL being tweaked and re-released on a "hey-we-forgot-to leave-this-in", or "how-do these-cgi's-look??"

How many various copies of that film are there now??

I don't think there ever will be a gratifying page-to-screen film.

The movie that came closest was "The Green Mile".

I read the seralized version when it first came out and was more than satisfted with the adaptation.

What was cut out of the book only made the story in the movie move more fluidly.

I had no problem with that.

And I thought Dabs Greer did an excellent job on the film.
..................................................................

And for all you Will Smith fans....

In JULY they will be releasing a movie called Hancock, that's about a homeless man (Smith, of course) with superpowers who doesn't seem to make the right choices in using them as say, Superman would.

Sometimes things just don't go right.

Taking what I have from the ads, it's about the rise and fall and second rising of a superhero.

Looks interesting.

To quote an old story credited to Stephen King....while being interviewed a question came up about what he thought about the recent hack jobs Hollywood had done with some of his stories....King turned around looked at his books on his shelf and replied.....they still look the same to me...

this story has been said numerous times sometimes using a different author..

in all fairness to Ridley Scott...whom I believe is a very good director...I do not think his intention with the recent Blade Runner edition is a "tweak and CGI thing" along the lines with Lucas wanting to throw extra buildings and creatures in the mix.

up until 1992 there were two authorized versions of Blade Runner...

the first one was the one we all saw in theatres. which contained the voiceover narration and the "happy ending"

the second one was the European cut. which was essentially the same cut however with extended scenes and uncut violence (which does not amount to much) this was Scott's final version that he wished also to release in the U.S. but the ratings board (as with many directors was forced to edit down for ratings sake.)

in 1992 Scott revisited his film and wanted to release it as he originally wanted but at the time in 1982 did not.....I do not believe it was a cash in deal for Scott...I believe it was more of an artistic license to tweak his own project..

this version (the third) omits the noir like narration and plays it straight as a very dark noir style science fiction film....the happy ending was also scrapped...

Blade Runner besides being a exceptionally well done Science fiction film has developed a cult following as do many films....and over the years the fans have created a sometimes over the top zeal for it..

there has always been talk of a lost scene..if it is included in this final cut I do not know...

the three above editions are in the collectors set that has just been released....

And yes Scott has done a new state of the art transfer and has not only recut some scenes and has tweaked his special effects (to what extent I do not know).....then again with today's technology he can do things that he was limited to do 26 years ago..

this version is also included.....

there is also a disc of numerous documentaries (including one on Philip K. Dick) deleted scenes and other ditties...

the fifth disc includes Ridley Scott's original workprint from 1980 which has numerous cuts and pacing that almost makes it appear a different film...this version may have been shown at a convention in Denver Co....it is referred to as "The Denver cut" it has never been theatrically released..

this is what is included in this box set.....Scott has been one of those directors that was never happy with the late 1990's DVD release of his film stating that DVD's were not technically sophisticated enough and would not allow it to be released again until the technology was up to snuff (which is very true at that time) This was one of the main reasons why Steven Speilberg and George Lucas did not release the Indiana Jones Trilogy or Star Wars trilogy as well.

Francis Ford Coppola had recut the Godfather numerous times, whether for a Television version (with scenes that were not in the original version) as well as re-editing his series twice to place it in chronological order (not the flashback sequences in Godfather two) once when only the two films were out...then a second time after the release of (ugh) Godfather 3...

The orginal Superman with Christopher Reeves was released to Television with over 30 minutes additional footage......the same with Kevin Costner's Waterworld. it was extended over 40 minutes for television broadcast (not that it helped it all)

The Coen Brothers recut their original film Blood Simple a few years back...actually snipping out about 10 minutes to tighten it up..

I do agree though that there will never be a real page for page adaptation..but then again just like what Stephen King said.....the books look the same to me...

I think the most positive aspect of some of these films....lets say with the recent release of I am Legend.....regardless of criticisms or praises of the film is somthing I have noticed in either a bookstore....A Walmart....or even a drug store chain.....the book version....of Richard Mathesons original story is on the racks....sure it has Will Smiths picture on the front...but the story is still Richard Mathesons.....and if one younger person picks it up and reads it.....then that is a good thing....god knows there aren't enough young people reading today... :D

"Life is a Crapshoot however you need a pair of dice to participate"
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The Batman
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Very well put, Inspector.

'Nuff said.
Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Greypilgrim
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The Batman
Dec 22 2007, 07:14 PM
Very well put, Inspector.

'Nuff said.

Shut up, sychophant!! :P

And what's with the "Nuff said?"...you're a DC hero, not freekin' STAN LEE!! <_< :P


I've seen the Coppola cut of the TWO Godfather movies and it was called The Godfather Chronicles.

It moved fluidly in chronologicla order and felt good to watch without all the switching back and forth of timelines as in the original second movie.

And, unfortunately, the third one was a dog.

As for anything Superman, there is a special 14(?) disc collection of all four movies, the special cut of #2, Supergirl, Superman Returns, and a whole lot of extra footage, interviews and stuff that will answer any and all questions you may have or ever heard about.

Not sure what the price is, but worth anything you put down for it.
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The Batman
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greypilgrim
Dec 22 2007, 11:30 PM
The Batman
Dec 22 2007, 07:14 PM
Very well put, Inspector.

'Nuff said.

Shut up, sychophant!! :P

And what's with the "Nuff said?"...you're a DC hero, not freekin' STAN LEE!! <_< :P

I can't help if my agreeing with someone else happens to put me in disagreement with you, GP.

That's just a bonus. :lol: :P ;)
Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Greypilgrim
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The Batman
Dec 22 2007, 07:43 PM
I can't help if my agreeing with someone else happens to put me in disagreement with you, GP.

That's just a bonus. :lol: :P ;)

I gotcha "BONUS" here, sweetheart!! :P :lol: ;)
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The Batman
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greypilgrim
Dec 22 2007, 11:50 PM
The Batman
Dec 22 2007, 07:43 PM
I can't help if my agreeing with someone else happens to put me in disagreement with you, GP.

That's just a bonus.  :lol:  :P  ;)

I gotcha "BONUS" here, sweetheart!! :P :lol: ;)

GP, you know we talked about these public displays of affection.

Awww, what the heck, I love you, too, ya big lug.

And, no, you can't have my Bud Light©.
Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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