I Am Legend

[Billie Goodson]

Saw this last night. I thought it was the best movie I have seen for some while. I thought about it later, and I really could not pick apart the plot as easily as normal. They seemed to come up with a tight, cohesive story. I thought Will Smith did a very good portrayal and demonstrated the range of emotions that a story like this would bring out. About the only thing I could really pick on is that I am not sure that a virus as presented could make people climb a wall like they did -- and that is a pretty weak argument from the movie's perspective.

The dilemma that I thought this movie presented well was what is the ramification of us playing God? At one point, Neville, the Smith character says, "God didn't do this, we did." A pretty powerful statement. If you know the original book I think it played on a few of the points in the book (I have not read it, just huge chunks of it). The question from the book I drew was how are we seen by others. In the movie I got more of how does what we do effect others, and ultimately ourselves?

[Ryan Scott]

I am looking forward to seeing it when I get a chance.

[Terri Knoll]

just scary enough to keep my interest! (I love horror)

[Paula Karr]

Four words: Saw it. Hated it.

[Billie Goodson]

Paula,

Was there anything in particular you did not like about the movie?

[Paula Karr]

If Will Smith's character was so smart, why didn't he even pursue the "safe zone" idea?
The whole scene with the dog (you know the one I mean).

I realize it was "sci-fi" -- but it just didn't make sense to me.

You be Ebert, I'll be Roeper. I give it a "thumbs down." Unfortunately, we don't have a smiley for that in the body of a post.

Paula

[Billie Goodson]

[LIST]
If Will Smith's character was so smart, why didn't he even pursue the "safe zone" idea?


Paula

Are you asking why he did not himself move to a safe zone?

[Paula Karr]

When the lady told him she was headed to the safe zone, he said, "There IS no safe zone." He refused to consider it even existed. I realize he was trying to come up with a cure for the virus, and appreciated his altruism, but he could have done the same from a safer environment, with other humans. But he insisted there was no safe zone.

To quote Spock, "Illogical, Captain."

[Billie Goodson]

CONTAINS A SEMI-SPOILER


When the lady told him she was headed to the safe zone, he said, "There IS no safe zone." He refused to consider it even existed. I realize he was trying to come up with a cure for the virus, and appreciated his altruism, but he could have done the same from a safer environment, with other humans. But he insisted there was no safe zone.

To quote Spock, "Illogical, Captain."

Good points. May I offer this:

1. Safe Zones -- given the quoted statistics he was giving in regards to the kill rate of the virus, he probably honestly contended that there were no safe zones. Maybe he meant there could be "safe for now zones", but, there was no effective long-term way to remain free of the virus. Given his experience to that point, one can hardly blame him for feeling that there was no escaping the inevitable.

2. In regards to his evacuating to a safe zone to seek a cure there -- well, if it was safe, then there would be very little in the way of being able to work on a cure. By his being in a safe zone, to work on a cure, he would have to in some form inject the virus into the community (by saying this I am only implying he had to somehow bring a virus victim into the community -- not literally inject someone in the community). Why does a doctor today wanting to work on a cure for a disease choose to place themselves into the center of the struggle? I don't think what he was doing was that far removed from how we fight any infections. CDC will always choose to travel to an infection site verses have the infected brought to them for initial study. There are serious environmental issues in transporting a virus, and in removing environmental effects that may mask results.

3. It would have made a really horrible movie if he had evacuated to a safe zone -- or it would have required a mini-series.

4. The dog scene was pivotal to the story line. Only in that happening did he reach the conclusion he did and resign himself to his fate. Yeah, it would have been nice if the dog scene did not happen -- but, then we would have said "just a happily ever after movie". I "liked" the fact that the writer/director chose to go down the path they did. It made the story more provocative. It was done to elicit a reaction -- based on your statements, it did. Remember he spent four years with the dog as his only companion -- if you eliminate Fred who betrayed him...

Like any other movie -- it is not for everyone. I just wanted to understand what you did not like about the movie -- and discuss it some. Not that I hope to change your mind, I just enjoy the discussion!

[Paula Karr]

Yes, I enjoyed the discussion as well, but you still haven't changed my mind.

:basic03

Now, I also saw "27 Dresses" and "Sweeney Todd" this weekend (I go to the movies when my husband is out of town). Would you like to discuss either of those? I liked them both better. And "Sweeney Todd" was one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen. I told my husband it was a mix between "Silence of the Lambs," "West Side Story," and "Fried Green Tomatoes."

:eek:

[Billie Goodson]

Yes, I enjoyed the discussion as well, but you still haven't changed my mind.

:basic03

Now, I also saw "27 Dresses" and "Sweeney Todd" this weekend (I go to the movies when my husband is out of town). Would you like to discuss either of those? I liked them both better. And "Sweeney Todd" was one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen. I told my husband it was a mix between "Silence of the Lambs," "West Side Story," and "Fried Green Tomatoes."

:eek:

Haven't seen those yet -- Sweeney Todd is one I might would see, but, I am not a big J. Depp fan. I usually go to movies when I travel -- not many other options because often I am alone on trips. The combination of movies would be interesting into one... SOTL and FGT are both great -- I do not remember "West Side Story" very much...but, it sounds like a really strange mix!

Change your mind? I have been married to the same woman for 24 years and don't think I have ever changed her mind.... I just like to explore why we do or don't like things. It gives people a fairer picture of why we like or dislike something. I would only be offended if you said that "Braveheart" was not a good movie -- but, then again, my wife does not like it....

[Ryan Scott]

He didn't go to the safe zone, because early on he knew he needed to be where the virus was to work on a cure. It's pretty common practice among virologists that the closer they can get to the source, the easier it is to find a cure.

However, I think the most important reason was that he had broken down psychologically. Most of the move was him devising internal rules to keep sane while being along. The way he kept repeating that Manhattan was his zone, that he was in charge. He was experiencing trauma and the effects of being alone under stress for so long.

The dog was his last relational entity. That scene was pivotal because in a way he was killing the last bit of sanity that remained. In essence, the dog was as important to his work as he was; it was the only thing keeping him from going over the edge.

Overall, I didn't think the movie was very good. There was no real emotion and little depth. It had some value as a psychological thriller, but ultimately it was pretty weak. There was little real story and nothing to hold emotion. Again it's a combination of great promotion and the presence of Will Smith.

[Paula Karr]

Overall, I didn't think the movie was very good. There was no real emotion and little depth. It had some value as a psychological thriller, but ultimately it was pretty weak. There was little real story and nothing to hold emotion. Again it's a combination of great promotion and the presence of Will Smith.

Yeah, what he said!

:laughing

[Paula Karr]

The combination of movies would be interesting into one... SOTL and FGT are both great -- I do not remember "West Side Story" very much...but, it sounds like a really strange mix!

I would only be offended if you said that "Braveheart" was not a good movie -- but, then again, my wife does not like it....

Imagine turning SOTL and FGT into a musical (which ST is). "Really strange mix" doesn't begin to describe it!

I must confess, I have never seen Braveheart, but it is our pastor's absolute favorite. He actually showed up at a men's meeting on horseback, wearing a kilt and a long brown wig, with half of his face painted blue. They videotaped it and showed his "speech" to the whole church. We LOVE the creativity of our pastor and the entire staff of our church!

I've enjoyed the discussion . . . thanks!

Paula

[Billie Goodson]

I must confess, I have never seen Braveheart, but it is our pastor's absolute favorite.

Paula

Umm...well...gee...umm...errr...NEVER SEEN BRAVEHEART? :eek: Gee... that explains a lot. Harumph!! Women :basic04

I do like your pastor though! You are lucky to have such a man of vision and devotion.

I hope you do realize that all of that was kidding...except for liking your pastor. Now Braveheart would be a great movie for Sunday School were it not for the scene when they tease the English archers! (oh, and maybe 6 or 7 other scenes).