Reel Horror

I am going to post here my dismay at the upcoming movie adaptation of Richard Matheson's most excellent novel "I Am Legend". And let it be known that I am a huge fan of the novel, and without saying, but I will, the world's biggest fan of the 1964 adaptation known as "Last Man On Earth".

I will begin my dissertation with those who have been connected and are now connected with the new "I Am Legend".

The Director: Francis Lawrence II.
His major "horror" accomplishment is the CGI crapfest known as "Constantine". He is more well known for his music videos directing "artists" such as Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and ... get this ... Will Smith. I have nothing against his accomplishments, but an MTV music video presentation of a dark classic like "I Am Legend" just seems waaaaay out of his league.

The Producer: Akiva Goldsman.
He produced "Constantine", "Starsky and Hutch" and "Lost in Space". Mr. Goldsman is also connected to the writing of the "I Am Legend" screenplay. His previous screenplay adaptations include "I, Robot", "Lost in Space" and what was almost the end of the "Batman" franchise, "Batman and Robin". I don't even have to carp about Goldsman, his resume does that for me.

The Screenwriter: Mark Protosevich.
His only credits are "The Cell" and "Poseidon" (Another CGI crapfest remake.) I will give props to Protosevich on "The Cell" though. It was a decent movie, not great, far from it, but decent. "Poseidon" was just another "grand disaster movie" now relagated to lower shelf perusal. Period.

What I can't understand is why not have Richard Matheson write the screenplay? I mean gees, he wrote the novel "I Am Legend". One of the most wonderful horror/suspense novels ever penned. And he's got almost innumerable screenplays to his credit. Who else better to know the mind of Robert Neville both inside and out.

What can we find wrong with the book "I Am Legend"? Not a damn thing. It's exciting, it plays out well, it has insight into the mind of a very lonely and incredibly sad man, it has pathos. You feel empathy towards Robert Neville. You find yourself wanting him to find not only solace, but also closure. And, in the end, you cry for what he has lost. Not only his life, but his dreams. Matheson could bring ALL of these attributes to a screenplay. ALL OF THEM! Protosevich and Goldsman cannot and will not have the same effect on the screenplay. They will and have already fucked it up.

The Lead: Will Smith
And now for my biggest bitch! ...... Will Smith being cast as the lead, "Robert Neville". I will not, as some have already done, say "It's gonna suck because Will Smith is only a comedian and on top of that he was the old "Fresh Prince". That's not proper, nor does it prove anything as Smith has moved on from his "Fresh Prince" days. So, here's my think so's.

First, if I may make comparison to my favorite film "Last Man On Earth", which is a pretty decent adaptation of Matheson's "I Am Legend", not perfect as Matheson has stated, but still pretty damn close, one can easily see Vincent Price as the character Robert Morgan, aka Robert Neville. Not because he had been in numerous horror movies, but because he played THIS character for pathos, not horror. He played it not as a "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" smarmy motherfucker, but as a lonely man looking for companionship. A lost companionship with his wife Virginia, or the little vampire dog, or even Ruth Collins. Vincent Price may have hammed it up in numerous horror movies, but "Last Man On Earth" was NOT one of them.

Now, why Will Smith cannot and will not be a proper Robert Neville. Smith has accorded himself as a decent comedy/action movie star. Smith did a fine job in the action/comedies "Bad Boys 1 & 2", a decent job in the sci-fi/action movies "MIB 1 & 2", as well as "Independence Day". But, and here is the BIG BUT, Smith has never brought a dark dramatic role to life. Yes, he portrayed Mohammed Ali, but what was Ali know for? His one liners. Smith played the comedic portions of "Ali" wonderfully, but in my opinion he fell short in the dramatic portions. Some will say, "Well, what about 'Six Degrees of Seperation'"? Go back and watch it again. He struggles when drama is needed, but shines when his comedic nature shows through. "Enemy of the State"? More action, no real drama. "I, Robot"? Asimov is still spinning in his grave. "Wild, Wild West"? I'll leave that one alone.

"I Am Legend", if done in a faithful adaptation, must have a lead who has a depth of soul. A darkness and consiousness that permeates his character. It needs gut-wrenching pathos. ...... Sadly, Will Smith cannot bring these attributes to fruition.

"I Am Legend" will end up being, in the least, a poorly accomplished horror movie. Or, God forbid, a vampire/action movie."

I'm gutted.