What a shame. This book is such a great read and has the possibility to be translated into an excellent film. Yet there have been three attempts including this one and they have all fallen short. If you get a chance to read Matheson’s novel, you should. It is brilliant. However, the most intriguing aspects of the book are extracted for this film and replaced with preposterous big time Hollywood sensationalism and transparent heroics to relegate it to another predictable action flick. It is too bad. From the fact that our protagonist never really reaches the depth of inner-depravity that he does in the book to the fact that the end of the novel literally gave me chills while the end of the film made me laugh at its utter absurdity, this was a dreary attempt to tell a wildly creative story.
What a shame. This book is such a great read and has the possibility to be translated into an excellent film. Yet there have been three attempts including this one and they have all fallen short. If you get a chance to read Matheson’s novel, you should. It is brilliant. However, the most intriguing aspects of the book are extracted for this film and replaced with preposterous big time Hollywood sensationalism and transparent heroics to relegate it to another predictable action flick. It is too bad. From the fact that our protagonist never really reaches the depth of inner-depravity that he does in the book to the fact that the end of the novel literally gave me chills while the end of the film made me laugh at its utter absurdity, this was a dreary attempt to tell a wildly creative story.
i agree 100% with most of what you said....they took away the ending from the book, which is really the part that makes you think and in my opinion, made the book awesome
i agree 100% with most of what you said....they took away the ending from the book, which is really the part that makes you think and in my opinion, made the book awesome
I liked this movie. (Maybe because i've never read the book?) Even though the CGI was cheesy and the plot was predictable it kept the suspense up enough.
Overall it was worth watching. 3 stars.
But from these other reviews i'll have to check out the book.
I liked this movie. (Maybe because i've never read the book?) Even though the CGI was cheesy and the plot was predictable it kept the suspense up enough.
Overall it was worth watching. 3 stars.
But from these other reviews i'll have to check out the book.
Hmm...all I hear from this crap is JEALOUSY!!! 3 platinum albums...Countless Box Office hits....
You're just a jealous little worm!!!
Wow… what a mature and clever dispute. I simply can’t quarrel with that lucid and well explored psychological assessment. After all, talent IS always based on product placement strategies and bogus award ceremonies, it’s true. My bad. He is “the man”. I express great regret for offending you with the concept of an opinion of artistic merit that differs from the general movie going public, which, as we know, is the ultimate authority on independent thinking and untainted and uninfluenced estimation. Perhaps I should pay more attention to what the critics and public say instead of spending the time to establish my own opinion and relying on the use of reflective discrimination to form my own. I would certainly have a lot more time to marinate in my jealousy.
As far as your personal attack, nicely done. It is a textbook rejoinder to contrary belief to resort to name-calling as an attempt to dissuade from the authentic debate at hand. But, as a “jealous little worm”, I am probably just envious of your noticeably genius argumentative talents. You should get an award…. Really!
All that being said, it is just my opinion man… no need to get so upset… he is very successful and I understand that… that's why I said over rated... I just think his work is shallow and uninteresting, but it is obvious that I am in the minority since his films and music make lots of money. So… you’re right and I am wrong. Feel better?
Good.
Quote Originally Posted by sahuaro213:
Hmm...all I hear from this crap is JEALOUSY!!! 3 platinum albums...Countless Box Office hits....
You're just a jealous little worm!!!
Wow… what a mature and clever dispute. I simply can’t quarrel with that lucid and well explored psychological assessment. After all, talent IS always based on product placement strategies and bogus award ceremonies, it’s true. My bad. He is “the man”. I express great regret for offending you with the concept of an opinion of artistic merit that differs from the general movie going public, which, as we know, is the ultimate authority on independent thinking and untainted and uninfluenced estimation. Perhaps I should pay more attention to what the critics and public say instead of spending the time to establish my own opinion and relying on the use of reflective discrimination to form my own. I would certainly have a lot more time to marinate in my jealousy.
As far as your personal attack, nicely done. It is a textbook rejoinder to contrary belief to resort to name-calling as an attempt to dissuade from the authentic debate at hand. But, as a “jealous little worm”, I am probably just envious of your noticeably genius argumentative talents. You should get an award…. Really!
All that being said, it is just my opinion man… no need to get so upset… he is very successful and I understand that… that's why I said over rated... I just think his work is shallow and uninteresting, but it is obvious that I am in the minority since his films and music make lots of money. So… you’re right and I am wrong. Feel better?
I read the first chapter of the book on my ipod. I thought it was good, I saw the movie shortly after and was a little disapointed but overall I did like it. The movie was really well done, I like that the story was brought to NYC, and they did a great job the look of a deserted Mannhatan.
I would give it 3 of 5 stars. I would put Cloverfield a head of it though.
Your getting away from the real topic, the film.
I read the first chapter of the book on my ipod. I thought it was good, I saw the movie shortly after and was a little disapointed but overall I did like it. The movie was really well done, I like that the story was brought to NYC, and they did a great job the look of a deserted Mannhatan.
I would give it 3 of 5 stars. I would put Cloverfield a head of it though.
Wow… what a mature and clever dispute. I simply can’t quarrel with that lucid and well explored psychological assessment. After all, talent IS always based on product placement strategies and bogus award ceremonies, it’s true. My bad. He is “the man”. I express great regret for offending you with the concept of an opinion of artistic merit that differs from the general movie going public, which, as we know, is the ultimate authority on independent thinking and untainted and uninfluenced estimation. Perhaps I should pay more attention to what the critics and public say instead of spending the time to establish my own opinion and relying on the use of reflective discrimination to form my own. I would certainly have a lot more time to marinate in my jealousy.
As far as your personal attack, nicely done. It is a textbook rejoinder to contrary belief to resort to name-calling as an attempt to dissuade from the authentic debate at hand. But, as a “jealous little worm”, I am probably just envious of your noticeably genius argumentative talents. You should get an award…. Really!
All that being said, it is just my opinion man… no need to get so upset… he is very successful and I understand that… that's why I said over rated... I just think his work is shallow and uninteresting, but it is obvious that I am in the minority since his films and music make lots of money. So… you’re right and I am wrong. Feel better?
Good.
Glad we settled that...lol...
I really wish I could have those 2 minutes back it took me to read your retarded reply!
Quote Originally Posted by paranoisense:
Wow… what a mature and clever dispute. I simply can’t quarrel with that lucid and well explored psychological assessment. After all, talent IS always based on product placement strategies and bogus award ceremonies, it’s true. My bad. He is “the man”. I express great regret for offending you with the concept of an opinion of artistic merit that differs from the general movie going public, which, as we know, is the ultimate authority on independent thinking and untainted and uninfluenced estimation. Perhaps I should pay more attention to what the critics and public say instead of spending the time to establish my own opinion and relying on the use of reflective discrimination to form my own. I would certainly have a lot more time to marinate in my jealousy.
As far as your personal attack, nicely done. It is a textbook rejoinder to contrary belief to resort to name-calling as an attempt to dissuade from the authentic debate at hand. But, as a “jealous little worm”, I am probably just envious of your noticeably genius argumentative talents. You should get an award…. Really!
All that being said, it is just my opinion man… no need to get so upset… he is very successful and I understand that… that's why I said over rated... I just think his work is shallow and uninteresting, but it is obvious that I am in the minority since his films and music make lots of money. So… you’re right and I am wrong. Feel better?
Good.
Glad we settled that...lol...
I really wish I could have those 2 minutes back it took me to read your retarded reply!
We can agree to disagree and I am sorry for “wasting” your time with an attempt at possibly over intellectualizing the debate and I admit that I try too hard sometimes….
I do, however, resent your calling me names… “jealous little worm” is one thing, but calling me or my comments retarded is offensive to myself and I’m sure anyone else who has dealt with the struggles of Down’s Syndrome in their family… those who are actually “retarded” as you say would love to be able to enjoy the capabilities of simple debate, I’m sure.
OK... OK... sahuaro213...
We can agree to disagree and I am sorry for “wasting” your time with an attempt at possibly over intellectualizing the debate and I admit that I try too hard sometimes….
I do, however, resent your calling me names… “jealous little worm” is one thing, but calling me or my comments retarded is offensive to myself and I’m sure anyone else who has dealt with the struggles of Down’s Syndrome in their family… those who are actually “retarded” as you say would love to be able to enjoy the capabilities of simple debate, I’m sure.
I read the first chapter of the book on my ipod. I thought it was good, I saw the movie shortly after and was a little disapointed but overall I did like it. The movie was really well done, I like that the story was brought to NYC, and they did a great job the look of a deserted Mannhatan.
I would give it 3 of 5 stars. I would put Cloverfield a head of it though.
mrglass… you are right… the topic of this thread moved away from the film… my bad…
I understand your observations and the change in venue from L.A. to N.Y bothered me a lot less than the switch in focus from the book and, mostly the ending. Granted, if I hadn’t read the book and loved it so much for many years, I might have just seen this as a respectable, visually interesting, yet poorly acted action flick. And, I admit that action films aren’t my favorite genre and therefore I am a bit tough on them at times. But my frustration comes from the fact that, as a book, I Am Legend is SO incredibly set up to be a great film AS IT WAS WRITTEN. I honestly believe that it has commercial and artistic cinematic appeal in its original form. Matheson, after all, understands the written word to film translation quite well as he wrote some of the most compelling Twilight Zone episodes. I just don’t understand the need to play it so safe by putting a big name actor rather than a capable thespian in the Neville role and changing the ending so drastically when the suspenseful drama that the novel carries with it contains enough energy to deliver a film on its own (if well acted and authentic to the script), and that it would move audiences considerably…
Again… just my opinion.
Quote Originally Posted by mrglass:
Your getting away from the real topic, the film.
I read the first chapter of the book on my ipod. I thought it was good, I saw the movie shortly after and was a little disapointed but overall I did like it. The movie was really well done, I like that the story was brought to NYC, and they did a great job the look of a deserted Mannhatan.
I would give it 3 of 5 stars. I would put Cloverfield a head of it though.
mrglass… you are right… the topic of this thread moved away from the film… my bad…
I understand your observations and the change in venue from L.A. to N.Y bothered me a lot less than the switch in focus from the book and, mostly the ending. Granted, if I hadn’t read the book and loved it so much for many years, I might have just seen this as a respectable, visually interesting, yet poorly acted action flick. And, I admit that action films aren’t my favorite genre and therefore I am a bit tough on them at times. But my frustration comes from the fact that, as a book, I Am Legend is SO incredibly set up to be a great film AS IT WAS WRITTEN. I honestly believe that it has commercial and artistic cinematic appeal in its original form. Matheson, after all, understands the written word to film translation quite well as he wrote some of the most compelling Twilight Zone episodes. I just don’t understand the need to play it so safe by putting a big name actor rather than a capable thespian in the Neville role and changing the ending so drastically when the suspenseful drama that the novel carries with it contains enough energy to deliver a film on its own (if well acted and authentic to the script), and that it would move audiences considerably…
Who reads books? Watch the movie, its much easier. Anytime anyone reads the book, they are all high and mighty, going, oh the book was better, etc. Blah, blah, blah.
Who reads books? Watch the movie, its much easier. Anytime anyone reads the book, they are all high and mighty, going, oh the book was better, etc. Blah, blah, blah.
I thought the first half of the movie was set up great. Excellent cinematography in making NYC look the way it did. **SPOLIER ALERT** The part that pissed me off is how he is just miraculously saved precisely as he is about to die in the SUV. Typical big-budget nonsense.
I thought the first half of the movie was set up great. Excellent cinematography in making NYC look the way it did. **SPOLIER ALERT** The part that pissed me off is how he is just miraculously saved precisely as he is about to die in the SUV. Typical big-budget nonsense.
So what happens at the end of the book??? Please do tell
spoiler...
in the end of the book, it turns out that the creatures were harmless, that he had one of them kidnapped and they were just trying to save her, but they were peaceful.
the phrase "i am legend" referred to that revelation, as it turned out that the main character was the legendary bad guy to the other species
Quote Originally Posted by TRAIN69:
So what happens at the end of the book??? Please do tell
spoiler...
in the end of the book, it turns out that the creatures were harmless, that he had one of them kidnapped and they were just trying to save her, but they were peaceful.
the phrase "i am legend" referred to that revelation, as it turned out that the main character was the legendary bad guy to the other species
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