Last month saw the return of several flagship Netflix series, including Stranger Things and The Umbrella Academy. But when it comes to movies, the streaming service has been a bit underwhelming lately.
Original efforts like Spiderhead and The Man from Toronto didn’t quite hit the mark, but the streamer just got a mid-2000s favorite that stars Will Smith at the very peak of his powers. Originally released in 2007, I Am Legend is a post-apocalyptic action thriller based on the 1954 novel of the same name and enjoys cult status to this day.
The film just arrived on Netflix on Friday (July 1), and its arrival seems particularly timely. Earlier this year, it was revealed that a sequel was in development, with Michael B. Jordan expected to join the cast alongside a returning Smith (assuming the project isn’t put on hold after Smith’s controversial slap to Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars).
What is I Am Legend about?
I Am Legend is set in a dystopian future where an attempt to cure cancer accidentally unleashes a deadly virus on the public. This may interest you : Christian Bale Reveals Kate Bush’s Music Scene Was Cut From ‘Thor: Love And Thunder’. Those not killed by the virus turn into cannibalistic mutants known as Darkseekers, who prey at night because they are sensitive to sunlight.
Smith plays Dr. Robert Neville, a virologist who is immune to the virus. After losing his wife and daughter, he now lives in desolate Manhattan desperately trying to find a cure for the virus, but he’s not even sure if there are people left alive to save them.
At night, he roams the empty city streets and goes wild in search of food and supplies. It is locked away at night as the Darkseekers prowl the city looking for prey. The film is a fast-paced thriller that covers a lot of ground in 100 minutes and is packed with adrenaline-pumping sequences.
What do critics say about I Am Legend?
I Am Legend currently has a score of 68% on Rotten Tomatoes (opens in a new tab). And while it’s certainly not the highest score we’ve ever seen for a film, it’s strong enough to be considered fresh. Additionally, the film has a 7. On the same subject : Bay Regional Health Officials Demand Monkey Alert Awareness During Winter Meeting: Press Release.2 rating on IMDb (opens in new tab) which is slightly better and may suggest that viewers enjoyed the film more than critics.
Will Smith’s performance was praised by many critics back in 2007, but there was controversy over the ending, which was changed from the film’s source material. Some accused the new ending of missing the point of the story’s original conclusion, but others felt it added an extra emotional punch.
Why you should stream I Am Legend this weekend
As noted above, with a sequel on the way, now is the perfect time to watch I Am Legend for the first time or revisit this post-apocalyptic depiction of New York. The film has held up very well over the past 15 years, with only a bit of strained CGI in the third act aging the film. See the article : High-Tech Convenience Stores Boost amid High Labor Costs and Contactless Services. Nevertheless, it is still a powerful film that will keep you engaged throughout.
The film also features one of Will Smith’s best performances, which is no small compliment considering the caliber of his career. Of course, the new ending is a little controversial, but you can also look for the alternate ending that was originally included in the DVD release, it is much closer to the spirit of the original novel.
I Am Legend arriving on Netflix this month is a timely reminder that sometimes it’s worth revisiting the classics instead of watching the latest movies on your chosen streaming service.
