Iffy for 13+
Intense, thoughtful thriller has some big scares.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although this cerebral action thriller is quite clean when it comes to language and sexual content, it deals with intense subjects like the fall of mankind and the fight for survival. It's not for kids who get scared, since it gets pretty terrifying, especially when the mutants take their turn onscreen. They jump out of nowhere, and the movie makes the most of that suspense to heighten the audience's response. Overall, the movie is very sobering -- and, unlike many Will Smith thrillers, it's light on the fun. Still, teens will want to see it and will be intrigued by the special effects and the edge-of-your-seat action.
- Families can talk about Hollywood's fascination with disaster movies and post-apocalyptic stories. What's the hook? How is this one different? Which aspect of the movie is more interesting to you: its thoughtful side or the fighting-off-mutants side? How is this movie different from other Will Smith sci-fi films? Families can also discuss what they'd do in Robert's place. Would you be able to keep your wits about you, as he seems to have (barely)? Would you be able to make the selfless decisions he seems to make?
The good stuff
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Messages: In the aftermath of a viral apocalypse, society has collapsed. People have become zombie-like mutants that feast on human flesh. The main character is reduced to his base nature, paranoid and on the brink. But he rises to the occasion when the time comes and makes a difficult decision for the good of mankind.
What to watch for
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Violence: Frequent. The main character totes guns and shoots at marauding, rabid mutants who attack him with the intent to either eat him or kill him -- or both. He also accidentally stabs himself, flashes a gun at a woman and her child, and conducts experiments on feral rats and other creatures. Bridges and buildings explode, cars careen, and a loyal dog becomes collateral damage.
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Sex: A married couple shares a tender kiss.
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Language: Pretty mild; "damn," "hell," "Oh my God."
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Consumerism: Premium placement for the Mustang GT500, Apple computers, iPod, and a Time magazine cover. Lots of signage left behind in New York, especially in Times Square, where billboards for Broadway shows abound, as well as hotel brands like Hyatt.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Robert downs prescription pills at a very difficult moment.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Can You Say Oscar Winner? by FatesFury
I saw the midnight showing of this and.. WOW! Now, it's the next day.. and I'm still shaking with pieces of the film still playing over in my head. ("Please say hello to me.")
This is NOT your everyday zombie/vampire shoot-em-up blockbuster. This story is a visceral one that truly explores the human spirit and the toll one person can pay for a reason, any reason, to survive.
The acting is intensely SUPERB. Will can always be counted on to better himself in everything he does and here, he both broke my heart and mended it over and over with his character's spirit.
The shots really helped to strengthen the redundancy of the life he lives without boring the viewer. Again, this is NOT a shoot-em-up blockbuster, so those looking for action from start to end will be disappointed.
Overall, this is a MUST-SEE movie in line for some awards. It has been years since I truly FELT a movie like this and I imagine it may be a few more years until something comes along to match it.
5
FABULOUS MOVIE! ONE OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR! WILL SMITH HAS DONE IT! by moviefanwith3kids
How can you not love this movie!?
It had everything you want in a movie: Too many jump out of your seat scary moments to count, Will smith, incredible special effects, Will Smith, Some very heartwrenching moments and did I mention Will Smith? (What can I say he was doing pullups without his shirt on and had a 6 pack!)
The movie was so engrossing that the audience was virtually silent the whole time. You did not even see people getting up to use the restroom etc.
See this one on the big screen, it is worth it!
2
ReALLY BAD by iamaflamingo
Shure, you could watch it ONCE! Not somthing to watch over and over again. The movie has a horrible ending, it makes no sence whatssoever, and you wait to long of a line to watch a movie that should of been as good as the presuit of happyness. Really somthing to watch only when your board.
3
Last Man on Earth by NCPhoenixRizing
Being a big fan of Will Smith, I was slightly disappointed. Perhaps because the only interraction in the movie was with a dog, and you only saw the creatures and other survivors towards the last third of the movie. However, that being said, the ending was a definate surprise and not as predictable as I had thought it would be.
5
A must see performance by Mr Smith by cmacey78
Read the book. Its 114 pages and one of the best books that I read. I AM LEGEND is a surprisingly solemn Christmas release, a showcase for Will Smith as an actor. I went into this cold. The first hour is pretty much flawless in the way it draws you into Neville's life. It?s CAST AWAY with the threat of monsters. It?s in the way Will Smith treats the darkness, the care he takes to keep himself safe. I like the meticulous way the daily life that Neville has tried to build for himself. I like the way Smith plays it. I think he?s really good. He plays Robert Neville to a tee, and then some. He makes even the most on-the-nose moments in the script feel natural because of how completely he commits to the role. He?s thought through Neville?s shaky mental state at each step of how he plays him. His choices after one particular turning point in the film are reckless but completely understandable. And there?s one heartbreaking ?conversation? he has I think is the best moments on film.
5
Please dont rate unless you have seen the movie. by Virgoprincess914
People like myself actually refer to the fan meters before rating movies. Please do not leave a rating unless you have seen the movie. It really defeats the purpose.
5
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A++++++++ by Elcriticador
well let me start by saying that i just watched the 1200pm showing it is now 2:35 pm and i felt compelled to write ths review. This is a" must go " movie , don't expect any resident evil type of things here, this is some how a way more super realistic movie,and he's not RAMBO which is one of the great attributes that (will) adds to the film. Go WATCH IT !!!. .. he 's a true actor.
3
28DaysLatermeetsTurnerandHooch by MoparShell78
If Will Smith hadn't played this role,the film would be less than memorable.His performance was entirely what his fans have come to expect. His talent and range lent this film its only true shot in the arm. The computer generated effects were derived and bland,the plot was derived and bland , the subject matter was derived and bland.The character development, reveal and relationships were neglected. It was only at the end of the movie that I realized the child he placed in the helicopter was a female child .While the dog has outstanding character for a dog, Id rather have known more about his family and career before the quarantine. What was the lead zombie's beef? This fim has little depth and wasn't all that entertaining .I am still a fan of Will Smith and hope he is offered more serious roles in the future.
5
Off The Meter by outsiderjack
Will Smith really played this role to a T. All of the critics said that this movie was lousy but we as moviegoers have to see it for ourselves and this was an excellent movie. It should make over $100 million after this coming weekend.
5
What Movie Going is All About! by Dubshow
Back in the day, as I young impressionable teenager, whever we went to the movies, there was a lot of high expectations. Especially after seeing The Exorcist for the first time (and no, I'm not comparing this movie to that all time scariest movie), but I'll say this: This is what movie making and going out to the movies is all about. Will Smith is the consumate actor and put on a performance that had me smiling with envy. I'm a NYer and a personal survivor of 9/11 having worked in those Towers up until that fateful day. Needless to say, the set served as an eerie reminder of what can happen whether you can believe it or not. Thank God, at the end, you can get up and say, "whew, Thank God it's only a MOVIE. Very intense and well done overall and should gross plenty. Ohh, can't wait until this shows up on BluRay!!