Robert Neville is the last man on Earth. Three years after a supposed vaccine for cancer was discovered, more than 90 percent of the world’s population becomes infected with the virus that turns humans and dogs into nocturnal zombies. Neville, played by Will Smith, is one of less than one percent who is immune to the virus. A military scientist, he frantically looks for a cure to the disease while avoiding the darkness where the infected dwell.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, whose other notable work include the 2005 horror film Constantine, the movie combines high-budget action scenes, including a $5 million dollar scene on the Brooklyn Bridge, and less-than-stunning computer-generated imagery.
Set in New York City in 2012, the once buzzing streets are now littered with abandoned cars. Weeds peek out of the streets, and once in a while, a deer or lion might pop out of the tall grass. Living in this desolate environment that was once New York City has its up and downs. During the day, Neville enjoys golfing off an aircraft carrier as well as racing down the endless rows of streets in his red Mustang. But as the sun starts to set over the city, Neville quickly must retreat to his home before the infected scavenge the city searching for any survivors to eat.
Based on the 1954 novel of the same title written by Richard Matheson, Smith is the main actor with a supporting cast made up of his German Shepherd Sam, and several department store mannequins. Much like Tom Hanks in “Castaway,” Smith does a tremendous job as the movie’s lone actor, leading viewers through the story and keeping them from leaving the auditorium, but this cannot be said for the rest of the movie.
In fact, Smith may be the lone shining star in this film, because the rest of the film did not live up to the hype that has been surrounding its release and the $150 million that used to create it. Very similar in plot to the 2002 post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film “28 Days Later,” the movie lacked energy and excitement, especially for a horror movie.
Its early blockbuster success goes to show that movies starring Smith still can haul in a lot of money. Go ahead and see this movie but it is not one that you’ll want to watch multiple times.
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