The year is 2009. Will Smith(Robert Neville) is(apparently) the lone survivor on planet earth. The rest of the human race has been wiped out by a virus that is unstoppable. Somehow, Neville is immune to the virus and manages to survive the whole catastrophe. He still has hopes of finding other survivors and for 3 years, keeps broadcasting a message over AM radio everyday that he is alive, he is a survivor and he can provide food and shelter to anyone who gets this message and comes to South Street Seaport where he shall wait everyday at mid-day. Survival for him is a challenge because there are still many infected humans on the planet – who are a threat to his life. These infected victims do not display ANY normal human behavior and as a result of the virus have become completely savage, violent and blood-thirsty. They are out to get Neville who amazingly survives all attacks made on him by these infected victims – except for the last.
His lone companion is his dog – Sam.(It was only halfway through the movie that I realized that Sam was actually a female doggie and her full name was ‘Sam’antha;-) But eventually, she gets infected too and Neville loses his only companion.
On one occasion, when Neville is almost killed by one of these cannibalistic infected victims, he is saved by a lady – Anna who also has somehow survived the outbreak and is immune. She is accompanied by a child – Ethan. Neville’s mission is to save any person who is not yet infected with the virus – the cure for which lies in his own immune blood.
In the climax, he succeeds in doing so….but loses his life in the process. Don’t wanna give away the details. You’d rather see it for yourself;-)
Opinion-
The movie is brief and fast. 1.5 hours approximately. The director, Francis Lawrence, has done a pretty good job overall but still, the movie could’ve been much better. The theme is amazing, but could’ve been executed with much more detail. Lots of sequences in the movie will leave you hungry for an explanation. The characters in the film haven’t been portrayed in great detail. There could’ve been more depth as far as character’s portrayal was concerned.
Also, some things leave you wanting for an explanation. Examples –
- How come there was no dearth of food when the entire human populace was finished? Even considering that, Neville had access to all superstores in New York without restriction, food doesn’t stay fresh for 3 years…. How do they get running water etc.? Aren’t these services available only when they are being manned at some point of place and time?
- In the end, Neville very much could’ve saved his own life along with that of Anna and Ethan by using a bomb with a timer or something. Why did he HAVE to die?
- How did Anna know that there was a colony of people somewhere that wasn’t killed by the virus? How did she know where EXACTLY it was? And how come SHE was immune too?
The special effects and the sound effects in the movie are great. The sound engineers all deserve appreciation. The sudden electric shock that you get when the Dark Seekers(the infected victims) suddenly strike, coupled with the super powerful sound effects are good enough to make to nearly scream and jump up in your seat every single time.
Will Smith is undoubtedly a brilliant actor and is incredibly versatile. He has proven it yet again. The role of Sam, his pet dog is actually a very subtle one. Loyal companion….and the kind of bond that it shares with Smith is actually very finely portrayed. One can feel the grief when it dies leaving Smith alone.
Just want to put down one quote from the movie that Will Smith says –
“My name is Robert Neville. I am a survivor living in New York City. I will be at the South Street Seaport everyday, at midday, when the sun is highest in the sky. I am
broadcasting across all AM radio networks. I can provide food. I can
provide shelter. I can provide security. If there is anybody out there.
Anybody. Please. You are not alone."
NO ONE can say this dialogue the way Smith does. He is awesome. Specially the ‘you are not alone’ part.
Overall, this movie is worth one watch. It is electric! Especially if you are the kind of person, who likes surprises and thrills. And of course, also, if you are the kind of person who likes Will Smith…