Official I Am Legend Thread

[cryptic name]

That's because nothing in the movie is like the book. The only similarites are the Title (which means nothing in the film), the name Robert Neville, and the vampires.

if you can even call those things vampires.

 

[cerealkiller182]

The thing about the movie is if i want a word for word translation,I'll just read the book. Making some changes to the story Idont mind since its an adaptation,but there needs to stay close to a degree. I'd say most changes werent terrible before the introduction of the woman and her kid. After that the story diverted way too much from the original story:the meaning of the title changed, the concept of last man on earth went right out the window, and the creatures were severely underdeveloped.

 

[matthooper]

The thing about the movie is if i want a word for word translation,I'll just read the book. Making some changes to the story Idont mind since its an adaptation,but there needs to stay close to a degree. I'd say most changes werent terrible before the introduction of the woman and her kid. After that the story diverted way too much from the original story:the meaning of the title changed, the concept of last man on earth went right out the window, and the creatures were severely underdeveloped.

I can't understand how you can call them changes. When everything is changed, it's no longer an adaptation. There were no similarities to the book. The tone, the characters, backstory, plot, nothing at all was the same.

Being the last man or last few people in a city with zombies or vamps is not really a similarity. Dozens of movies have a similar story.

Nothing was even remotely the same. This was not an adaptation, it was simply an excuse to use a cool title.

One thing you are right on though, once the woman and kid came, the movie was complete crap.

 

[cerealkiller182]

I can't understand how you can call them changes. When everything is changed, it's no longer an adaptation. They were no similarities to the book. The tone, the characters, backstory, plot, nothing at all was the same.

Do you know the definition of changes? It means different. And Ididnt find the tone very different.

Nothing was even remotely the same. This was not an adaptation, it was simply an excuse to use a cool title.

The world is overrun with creatures, the protagonist is the last man(at least at first) coping with being alone among other things. You are too hung up on backstory. So what if the character was in the military or had a medical experience or moved to New York. Its not as good as the book, but it shouldnt be damned for its differences.

 

[Octoberist]

Sometimes I question WB's decision making skills. They're not Fox dumb, but they're not exactly consistent. But then again, what studio is?

 

[matthooper]

Do you know the definition of changes? It means different. And Ididnt find the tone very different.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I find when everything is changed, it's not an adaptation, it's a way to capitalize on a popular book title.

The world is overrun with creatures, the protagonist is the last man(at least at first) coping with being alone among other things. You are too hung up on backstory. So what if the character was in the military or had a medical experience or moved to New York. Its not as good as the book, but it shouldnt be damned for its differences.

But it's not the same main character, tey are not even close. Only their situation is simlar. There are a dozen zombie movies with the same premise. I'm not damning it for it's differences. There are too many differences to even compare he book to the film. I didn't think it remotely captured anything from the book so I judge it as a stand alone movie. It was fine until the woman showed up.

 

[cerealkiller182]

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I find when everything is changed, it's not an adaptation, it's a way to capitalize on a popular book title.

But it's not the same main character, tey are not even close. Only their situation is simlar. There are a dozen zombie movies with the same premise. I'm not damning it for it's differences. There are too many differences to even compare he book to the film. I didn't think it remotely captured anything from the book so I judge it as a stand alone movie. It was fine until the woman showed up.

Lots of spoilers

But everything wasnt changed it was adapted. I see plenty of parallels.
- Focus was put on finding a cure which was just one part of the book
- Nevilles glimmer of hope was a dog who just happened to have a closer realtionship with him in the movie and both met theirdoom by the hands of the creatures.
- The creatures had a sense of development but it was not capitalized on. But the Alpha male character obviously made it personal with Neville because the women was obviously his mate.
- The woman character in the book was split into two characters: the creature and the women but then diverted to much from the concept and is the only change i cant live with
- instead of visiting his wifes grave everyonce and awhile he is plagues by her death in his dreams. And since I always thought that because he didnt burn the body in the book that he caused the widespread outbreak. He still has a direct line to the virus being hired to stop it.

Changing setting and occupation of Neville are the most divergent changes before the woman was introduced, none of which have any real bearing on the rest of the story. The tone was very well done. I thought Will Smith was very convincing of his fear and emotion. The scene in the creature nest, the scene when he threatens "Frank", where he kills Sam, and where he breaks down in front of the adult film mannequin, were all very raw emotional scenes.

Im not saying it couldnt be adapted better but there are certainly parallels between the two. These changes are sometimes needed because film is a different medium than books. It requires more showing then telling. Thats why the dog had more focus and the mannequins were included so that the actor could have someone to interact with. They did the same with Cast Away.

I would have liked for the creatures be more human adding the former best friend character and the hunting of the creatures during the day. The CGI was awful, I dont know why but when i read the book i saw the Skull Island natives from Jacksons King Kong.

 

[GhostPoet]

Ok...I see they are adding the alternative ending. but does that mean it'll just be a lame extra or can I actually watch the movie WITH the new ending instead?

 

[블라스]

I can't believe they're releasing a 2-disc set with NO special features (except some crappy comicbooks or whatever).
WB must think that people are extra-dumb.

 

[GhostPoet]

This is probably one of my all time favorite films. Ever.
Can't wait for the blu-ray...I just hope the alternate ending is included in the film and not just a side thing.
(no, I don't care about the book)

 

[The Apatow Crew]

I can't believe they're releasing a 2-disc set with NO special features (except some crappy comicbooks or whatever).
WB must think that people are extra-dumb.

It's only a book? Oh screw that then i was gonna buy the 2 disc set but thanks for telling me and not spending that extra so and so for nothing.

 

[Dodger]

I was going to buy this DVD but then I saw the digital copy only works for PC. What about us mac users?

Then, it hit me. THis movie made a butt-load of money and it's a successful will smith vehicle. So why would only have two special features? Especially for a movie with such great VFX (The New York Stuff)

I smell halibut. The studio is going to double dip. For sure.

 

[chaseter]

This isn't a movie I could watch over and over again...not buying it.

 

[chaseter]

I was going to buy this DVD but then I saw the digital copy only works for PC. What about us mac users?

Then, it hit me. THis movie made a butt-load of money and it's a successful will smith vehicle. So why would only have two special features? Especially for a movie with such great VFX (The New York Stuff)

I smell halibut. The studio is going to double dip. For sure.

I didn't think the VFX were great for this movie The monsters looked really lame IMO. The story and Smith were great...Smith was great in this movie.

 

[Dodger]

I didn't think the VFX were great for this movie The monsters looked really lame IMO. The story and Smith were great...Smith was great in this movie.

I agree on the monster but you didn't think the VFX on the New York scenery were like totally awesome?

 

[블라스]

It's only a book? Oh screw that then i was gonna buy the 2 disc set but thanks for telling me and not spending that extra so and so for nothing.

It's not even a book

From IGN...


"as an "extra," the only real bonus feature here is a collection of four six-minute animated comics: "Death as a Gift," "Isolation," "Sacrificing the Few for the Many," and "Shelter." Each of these well-drawn, half-narrated pieces visits some new area of the globe in which the effects of the film's virus is currently being felt. In many ways, these would make for captivating films in themselves, but their inclusion here – and in such an interesting format – is greatly welcome."

The nerve of those ***holes, to release a single disc version AND a 2-disc "Special Edition" with no behind the scenes material.

 

[chaseter]

I agree on the monster but you didn't think the VFX on the New York scenery were like totally awesome?

No that was good, when I think of CGI and VFX...I automatically think of the fauna and lifelike creatures. It is a lot easier to make a real looking tree than it is to make a real looking lion.

 

[The Jester]

can anyone post a summary of the alternate ending?

 

[Nirvana]

So I didn't really like this movie when it first came out in theaters (Only went to Imax for the TDK prologue) But I am very curious about the alternate ending. I didn't want to spend money to buy the dvd especially since it was an okay movie to me...so I got my older brother to buy it instead

 

[omid17]

can anyone post a summary of the alternate ending?

i think

Spoiler

Robert survives, and the male leader of the dark seekers wants the female back( the one that Robert cured in the original ending)

 

[zanos]

I like the ending they used better. There's no resolution with the alternate ending.

 

[omid17]

same here

 

[Midnhtsun]

I liked the alternate ending but with watching it in context of the entire film, im starting to think the original theatrical ending was a better fit, to why Neville is a legend. Im pleased either way, both were entertaining and I liked the fact that the DVD had both versions full length.

 

[Jick]

I liked the alternate ending but with watching it in context of the entire film, im starting to think the original theatrical ending was a better fit, to why Neville is a legend. Im pleased either way, both were entertaining and I liked the fact that the DVD had both versions full length.

agreed.

and I gave a 10 for the movie. it's excellent.

 

[JTStarkiller]

The nerve of those ***holes, to release a single disc version AND a 2-disc "Special Edition" with no behind the scenes material.

Wait a tick. So the DVDs don't have the 20 min Cautionary Tale doc or the 50 minutes of featurettes from the Blu-Ray? Ha... that sucks.