Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and Weed Road Pictures along with Overbrook Entertainment present a PG-13 dramatic sci-fi thriller directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith (Robert Neville), Alice Braga (Anna), Charlie Tahan (Ethan), Salli Richardson (Zoe), Willow Smith (Marley), with a beautiful German Shepherd (Sam) and a cast of extras and flesh eating, high screeching virus infected zombies.
Could the cure for cancer, which prominently proved to remiss thousands, also cause a vigilant virus that mutates the body through physical touch and eventually airborne contact? Apparently so! Three years later one man survives in New York City and it happens to be a brilliant scientist known as the "Savior" according to "Time" magazine, Robert Neville. Active by day and on lock down by night he hunts the streets like that of a lion in pursuit of a gazelle. Although in his case, with rifle and dog, in search of deer that run rampant throughout the city.
The special effects are right up to par with the phenomenal CG effects of today. Product placement of Ford, McDonalds, theatre billboards for "Wicked" "Rent" and "Hairspray" of course run throughout many scenes like the blood in your veins. The director and editors are spectacular at adding digital effects to a modern day deserted New York City landscape. Smith, quite buff for a man of his age, is successful at portraying a lonely man that tries desperately to live a so called normal life, grocery shopping, renting movies, walking his only true companion Sam, talking to dummies. No not zombies, actual manikins that he sets up along his daily path to give him a sense of sanity. Of course, to some it may reflect a bit of insanity! This premise alone gives a strong look into the human mind and what one would do if left to live life alone forever. But is he really alone? Maybe, maybe not! Except for the hundreds or thousands of fast moving, flesh eating, blood chilling zombies that add to a strong suspense element to the writing and a bit of horror as well.
Through flash backs we discover how it all began and just what happened to his wife and child along with the rest of the millions of people from New York. Unlike many other zombie type films this one really delves into the plight of one man to find a cure and survive. All at the same time which helps to give this thriller a bit of credibility. But if you're looking for the typical mass attacks of humans and high gore factor this film will not satisfy your tastes.
Not to forget, all the animal lovers, many scenes may not settle well with your visual let alone mental capacity. If you can't watch Discovery Channel and the prey versus predator series than be prepared to turn away. The last breath you hear on the big screen may just be your favorite furry creature of the animal kingdom. PETA may have a field day with this story line, let alone the Catholic church since the premise of God is laced within the conversation of being an adult with a make believe hope for enlightenment. Thanks to Anna and Ethan, the sole seekers of food, shelter and security, traveling to Vermont from Maryland in search of a colony of survivors, light actually shines through the darkness of the conversation involving "God's plan". Score one for religion and faith!
There are many dilemmas that Robert faces to keep you on the edge of your seats but it is the ones involving his faithful companion Sam, that cause the audience to gasp. Ultimately of course the KV infected zombies add the touch of horror and intrigue to a somewhat, at times, slow plot. There are enough clichés and moments of levity strewn throughout the writing to at least keep the film active but it is truly the effects of an over vegetative havoc stricken destroyed New York that tends to mesmerize. Albeit an explosive ending, it is the words of wisdom, "stay until dawn", by a legend that restores the faith of the world and that of mankind.
Overall, whatever Will Smith touches seems to turn to gold, so I can say this film will probably do well in the beginning but it will be word of mouth that will predict it's lasting power. My expectations were very high walking into this film and for the most part they were met but I must say that for almost two hours in the theatre I thought a little more action and little less conversation might help this fantasy about life and death stay alive longer. If you're in the mood for lighting speed, flesh eating mutants with a bit of depressing story this holiday season than this film will surely satisfy your taste buds. I was and it did, so forget "Jingle Bells" and "White Christmas", toasting marsh mellows on an open fire and snuggling up to the one you love. Instead head to your local movie theatre for a good helping of death and destruction, it really will help you forget those holiday bills and in the same time leave you thankful for health, family and the pursuit of happiness.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.