As a self proclaimed movie buff, I have found it difficult over the past few years to find a film worthy of my perusal. I love movies with layers of depth and hidden messages that I can watch over and over enjoying every moment each time. Friends and family don’t necessarily enjoy watching along with me as I tend to have dialog with the screen or rewind scenes to watch how a person moves, speaks or simply executes a phenomenal plan. “I AM LEGEND” has proven itself to be one of these films.

Will Smith gives an Oscar worthy performance as Dr. Robert Neville, as best I can say, a military scientist of Lieutenant Status who searches of cures for diseases. As this super intense drama begins, it seems that a long awaited viral cure for cancer has rabid side effects and is now airborne on Manhattan Island. We see a more mature Will Smith within a serious character portraying a lonely problem solver with all the emotions and desires of a good man. And ladies, God is a good God. Will does us the distinct favor of displaying his body which is righteously fit and that physique … simply flawless. He gives us a performance of a lifetime showing all how REAL drama is to be portrayed.

The beauty of this film is that one man has managed to capture the audience’s attention and carry the film well over 75% of its length. It offers us the opportunity to get inside the head of a man who is proclaimed to be the last man alive, yet he is not alone. As one would think that the film would become monotonous and routine, no two days are the same when one is trying to survive, continuously search for additional forms of human life and find a cure to the virus which has rid him of every person he has ever known. Relentless and methodical, Dr. Neville’s life is governed by alarms, scientific experiments and the love of his dog Sam. He is plagued by memories of a fulfilled former life with a lovely wife and daughter, played by his real life daughter Willow Smith. At times it seems Dr. Neville’s ego has gotten the best of him and made him turn into a mad scientist but it seems this personality trait is necessary for what he will need to accomplish.

An intriguing trait of Dr. Neville’s life is talking to objects he has strategically placed around town emulating life about him. These manikins help him to maintain his sanity in the midst of unthinkable insanity by making him feel that his is not all alone. He speaks to his dog, who is his best friend, as if she were human and he is awaiting her response. These are his only sources in which he communicates.

Alternatively, there is a percentage of the earth’s population whom has turned into what are called the dark seekers. These creatures to me could be known as one’s alter ego whom we need to overcome within us in order to successfully reign in life. These are rabid like humans who now have no traits of human life as they have evolved into mutated creatures of darkness. Their main objective is to devour any life form and as you can imagine, there is very little of this available. Neville is plagued by these forces and programs his life around extreme daylight as these creatures are extremely sensitive to ultra violet rays. His main objective is to stay clear yet capture and perform studies on these creatures in hopes of converting them back to their human state, therefore bringing harmony back to a now desolate earth.

My interpretation of this film is that Dr. Robert Neville is a type of Christ, bringing to earth new life often symbolized in the form of a butterfly. I personally saw four butterfly symbols throughout the film but did find that it is necessary to see this film repeatedly to catch all forms of symbolism pertaining to the events which haven taken place and changed the world as we know it. It is the new blood which will bring this new life and a sacrifice necessary for new life to commence.

This film takes my vote for Best Film of 2007. I recommend “I AM LEGEND” to those who crave meaty substance in what they watch. All in all, amidst this intense drama, is an ending which will satisfy. I believe it is possible to become one with this film and get inside the science of creating our own new cosmos, both within and without. I believe that each of us can play a part of a new creation in our own unique way. Let’s get busy becoming Legends!

Please find this and more at www.itsourrealitymagazine.com