I Am Legend

Time: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes
Box Office: $256M

Film Analysis

Step 1: Pre-Viewing

1. Title of film: I Am Legend
2. Director & Producer: Francis Lawrence
3. Release Date: December 14, 2007
4. Film Genre: Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller

Step 2: Viewing

1. Important moments: An important moment is when Robert's watch alarm starts beeping and he leaves, taking Sam with him and after a bath, Robert shuts, locks and protects every door and window with massive steel shutters. He then sleeps close to Sam and remembers what happened when they sealed off the island and quarantined New York City. Robert is looking for a cure for the infection and discovers that a rat is decreasing in performing violent activity. Another important moment in the film is when Robert takes in the 18-20 year old infected female in to run some tests regarding KV. Fred is somehow placed in the middle of the city street which causes Robert to have a small mental breakdown. When Robert begins to shoot everything, it triggers a trap in which he stays stuck in overnight. Sam gets bitten by one of the infected dogs and Robert kills him, leaving him with no other companion and to be completely alone. Robert finally finds the cure for the infection but sacrifices his life in order to let Anna and her son live. 

2. Atmosphere of the Film: Many establishing shots and close ups are used throughout the film. The establishing shots are used to show the ruined and lonesome city and the close ups are used to show Robert's expressions to anything that happens. Low key lighting is used for when Robert has locked up his apartment and everything so that nothing gets in and for when he is led to the place under the bridge. This causes the setting to look mysterious, unwelcoming, and unsafe. 
3. What is the mood or tone of the film? The mood of the film is sad, lonely, and hopeless. 
4. Explain the look of the film: The look of the film is apocalyptic and lonesome.

5. Explain the use of sound/music and/or sound effects in the film: The film hardly uses any music and sounds for when Robert is outdoors gathering supplies to show how lonely and and empty the city is. There is only faint background noise such as birds chirping to exaggerate the lack of sound and people within the city. When Robert hunts for food and is led to a dark place beneath the bridge, the sounds and music grow louder to add suspense in finding out what lives there. 

6. Physical qualities presented in the film: The physical qualities presented in the film are dramatizations, background noise, special effects, flashbacks, and color.

Step 3: Post-Viewing

1. What is the central message of this motion picture? The central message of the film could either have been to always share some light during the darkest of times or that even though you really want to save someone sometimes, there is nothing you could do to save them.

2. Consider the effectiveness of this film communicating its message. As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses?  The film communicates either of the two messages above very effectively. Robert is constantly shown trying to adapt to his post-apocalyptic environment when he talks to the mannequins as if they are alive and when he develops a friendship with his dog Sam. These characteristics show how lonely Robert is and how he is trying to keep himself from going insane. All throughout the film Robert looks for a cure and in the end he finally finds it and tries to save those that are infected but no chance in doing so is given. Therefore, the film ends with Robert sacrificing himself to allow Anna and her son to survive.
3. How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond? I think the filmmakers wanted the audience to feel depressed and scared with whatever happened to Robert throughout the film.

4. Does this film appeal more to the viewer’s emotion? How does it make you feel? The film does appeal to the viewer's emotion. Being given the flashbacks on what happened to Robert's family I began to feel sympathy for him and thought how terrible it must feel to lose your family members. When the film shows Robert and Sam's relationship, in which Sam is Robert's only friend, it made me feel really heartbroken and sad when Sam is bitten. 
5. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the motion picture: Why did Robert decide not to go with Anna and her son to escape when he could have?
6. Would you recommend this movie to your friends? (Y/N)? Yes, I would recommend this movie to my friends, it was really good and pretty startling.

7. How would you grade this movie? (E-NC) I would give this film an AE because of the film's way in making its central message very effective with the emotional appeal.