Fridae

Will Smith is officially the most bankable actor in the world. His last four films (The Pursuit of Happyness, Hitch, Shark Tale and I, Robot) each grossed over US$300 million in the United States. And his new film I am Legend has already broken US box-office records with its staggering opening numbers.

This is no small feat, considering that Will is a black actor in Hollywood where less than a decade ago, studio execs still thought that a black man could never have the same box-office appeal as white actors. So three gay cheers for Will for smashing stereotypes! Hip-hip hoogaaaay!

I am Legend is a sci-fi thriller about a scientist (Will) who becomes the last man on earth after a virus infects the human race and turns them into blood-thirsty, sun-sensitive creatures craving for human blood. Consequently, Will must find the cure for these creatures before they eat him alive...

Directed by Francis Lawrence (Constantine) who used to be a music video director, I am Legend has some impressive action sequences and nifty CGI tricks such as turning New York into a deserted town. Structurally though, the films suffers from fits and starts. It begins slowly, then picks up really fast, only to fall back into its slow pace again, and then builds up very quickly to its abrupt finish.

Entertaining, but not very satisfying.