I Am Legend

2007

I Am Legend

Critics Consensus

I Am Legend overcomes questionable special effects and succeeds largely on the strength of Will Smith's mesmerizing performance.

68%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 213

68%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,129,618
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Movie Info

Adapted from acclaimed author Richard Matheson's influential novelette of the same name, Constantine director Francis Lawrence's I Am Legend follows the last man on Earth as he struggles to survive while fending off the infected survivors of a devastating vampiric plague. A brilliant scientist who raced to discover a cure for the man-made virus as humanity came crumbling down all around him, Robert Neville (Will Smith) was inexplicably immune to the highly contagious superbug. Now the entire population of New York City -- and perhaps the world -- has been transformed into carnivorous bloodsuckers that fear the light and live solely to spread their contagion to any remaining living creature that crosses their path. It's been three years since civilization came to an end, and the loneliness has taken a devastating toll on Neville. By day he scours the city for food and supplies while sending out desperate radio messages in hopes that someone might respond, and by night he attempts to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus by experimenting with his own blood. But time is running out for Neville as the legions of infected watch his every move from the safety of the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They, too, long to learn the secret that lurks in Neville's blood, though they will have to take caution while attempting to procure it because Neville will sooner die attempting to slay every last one of them than willingly giving up a single drop. Previously adapted for the screen in the 1964 Vincent Price frightener The Last Man on Earth and the 1971 Charlton Heston action film The Omega Man, Matheson's novelette also served as the inspiration for George A. Romero's groundbreaking zombie classic Night of the Living Dead. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Cast

Will Smith
as Robert Neville
Alice Braga
as Anna
Salli Richardson-Whitfield
as Zoe
Charlie Tahan
as Ethan
Willow Smith
as Marley
Darrell Foster
as Mike - Military Escort
Dash Mihok
as Alpha Male
Joanna Numata
as Alpha Female
Samuel Glen
as Military Driver - Jay
James Michael McCauley
as Male Evacuee
April Grace
as TV Personality
Marin Ireland
as Woman Evacuee
Pedro Mojica
as Sergeant
Anthony Mazza
as Evacuation Cop
Steve Cirbus
as Military Police
Calista Hill
as Little Girl Evacuee
Gabriella Hill
as Little Girl Evacuee
Tyree Simpson
as Evacuation Cop No.2
Blake Lange
as Coast Guard Ground Crew
Patrick Fraley
as President
Deborah Collins
as Civilian
Emma Thompson
as Dr. Krippen -- uncredited
Abraham Sparrow
as Male Evacuee #2
John Kyle Grady
as Infected
Moses Harris Jr.
as Infected
Marc Innis
as Infected
Eric Jenkins
as Infected
Mark Steger
as Infected
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Critic Reviews for I Am Legend

All Critics (213) | Top Critics (54)

  • If you ignore its flaws, I am Legend can be enjoyed as the perfect brainless Boxing Day blockbuster - but it is essentially a leftover festive turkey.

    Oct 24, 2017 | Full Review…

    Anil Sinanan

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • Smith turns in a terrific performance, nailing Neville's angst while allowing room for humor.

    Oct 18, 2008

    Calvin Wilson

    St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Top Critic

  • When they do, banging their heads against plate glass as movie zombies always do, I started needing something else to think about.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Full Review…

    Bob Mondello

    NPR.org
    Top Critic

  • I wouldn't dream of giving away the ending, but it's not likely to satisfy either the action crowd or Matheson fans.

    Mar 31, 2008 | Full Review…

    David Ansen

    Newsweek
    Top Critic

  • It is absolutely gripping in its vision of how lonely it would be to be the last man on Earth. It's absolutely dull in almost every other respect.

    Feb 1, 2008 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Paul Byrnes

    Sydney Morning Herald
    Top Critic

  • I Am Legend is a grenade that goes off when least expected. It has more horror than heart, but it is never boring.

    Jan 4, 2008

    Rex Reed

    Observer
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (213)

Audience Reviews for I Am Legend

  • Mar 10, 2016
    I Am Legend is suspenseful, has nice cinematography and visuals as well as having a good performance by Will Smith. The negatives I have are the CGI as well as the ending. The CGI looked very noticeable especially on the mutants and the ending I feel could've been handled differently. Other than that I Am Legend is a solid post-apocalypse film.
    Mr N Super Reviewer
  • Dec 26, 2013
    You can either love it or hate it, but Will Smith's powerful acting is something you can never deny.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Nov 18, 2013
    Although the pacing in many parts can be a bit slow, and parts of the script don't work, I Am Legend succeeds mainly due to its eerie tone and excellent performance from Will Smith. It is an intense and satisfying film that will thrill viewers.
    Joey T Super Reviewer
  • May 13, 2013
    This post-apocalyptic zombie-based film is strong thanks to in part the special effect/CGI work as well as the strong lead of Will Smith. I Am Legend is graphic in the realms of loneliness and isolation and makes a solid film for audiences to enjoy. 4/5
    Eugene B Super Reviewer
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