“In the film’s final moments, I Am Legend evokes yet another film: M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs. For Christians, it gets very interesting. With only glimpses of faith previously (a family prayer in times of trouble, a cross on a rear-view mirror), God suddenly and jarringly comes to the forefront.
The bloodthirsty Darkseekers are on the prowlFor three years, Neville has put the fate of mankind on his own back. But then, a mysterious woman appears who says the real hope is in God. “He has a plan,” Anna says. “He sent me here for a reason.” In the final 10 minutes, the movie takes on the themes of God’s providence and the need to listen for his voice. Anna says, “The world is quieter now. It’s easier to hear God.”
It’s an interesting direction for a movie about the impact of scientific advancement. So what is it saying about science and God? That scientific advances foolishly allow man to play God? Or that science is comparable to that fast car capable of good or evil, depending on the driver?
Had I Am Legend kept its personal, human and contemplative atmosphere over the loud, crowd-pleasing whiz-bang action, these messages of faith may have carried more weight and heart. As it is, they blend in with the noise—no matter how quiet Robert Neville’s New York is.
Ricardo Oliveira