I Am Legend Blu-ray Disc Review

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Title: I Am Legend (Blu-ray Disc)

Region: A

Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller

Stars: Will Smith, Alice Braga, and Dash Mihok

Writers: Mark Protosevich and Akiva Goldsman

Based On The Screenplay By: John William and Joyce H. Corrington

Based On the Novel By: Richard Matheson

Director: Francis Lawrence

Feature length: Theatrical Version – 100 minutes/Alternate Version – 104 minutes

Extras: Creating I Am Legend Minidocumentary Gallery, Cautionary Tale: The Science Of I Am Legend, Animated Comics

Languages: Original Release – English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound and English, French (Dubbed In Quebec), and Spanish Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound/Alternate Version – English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Subtitles: English Subtitles For The Deaf And Hearing Impaired and French and Spanish Language Subtitles

Packaging: Elite Blue BD Case

Chapter Stops: 27

Sound: Dolby True HD 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Year of Theatrical Release: 2007/Blu-ray Disc Release: 2008

Theatrical Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures

Home Video Distributor: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

Will Smith's on screen charisma makes this third cinematic adaptation of Richard Matheson's book of the same name, I Am Legend arguably the best of the three-filmed versions that exist. While none of the films have been exact reproductions of the book, the film offers some food for thought over the notion of fate and science and has some truly heartbreaking moments that are quite haunting. Some of the aspects regarding the infected do not make much logical sense and ultimately I found some of tricks Smith's character has up his sleeve to be far fetched. In addition the virus in the film infects animals through blood and I guess saliva so we see infected dogs and even infected rats, but I personally would have found it interesting to see what happens to animals we don't normally think of as being dangerous, like the deer featured in the film, and watch their behavior then. How would a virus like this infect other creatures in both the animal and plant kingdom in general? We've seen enough movies with scary dogs and rats that quite honestly it is not shocking. Another reality is the fact that there are so many rats in large cities that it is estimated that wherever one may be there is probably a rat or mouse of some type ten feet away from you right now! So how could even an immune person survive with statistics like this if there are infected rats throughout the city?

Ultimately this was a dark holiday popcorn film and it's easy to get caught up in Smith's performance, especially in the first half and then forget the improbabilities that exist in the film. I liked I Am Legend and think that along with this past summer's Transformers, it was the must see popcorn film of the holiday season. It may not be perfect or even earth shattering, but it is far from being a terrible film, mostly because of its star.

Warner Home Video has released I Am Legend on DVD, Blu-ray Disc and on the now defunct HD DVD & DVD Combo Format Disc. The Blu-ray Disc release presents both the theatrical and an alternate version that in some ways is superior to the theatrical cut in a 1080p (where available) widescreen high definition (2.4:1) aspect ratio that preserves the manner in which the film was exhibited theatrically for Blu-ray Disc users. The alternate version carries over some important information regarding the Dark Seekers and arguably offers a less certain, but never the less hopeful conclusion for the main untainted characters in the film. The Blu-ray Disc also features English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound and English, French (Dubbed In Quebec), and Spanish Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound options for the theatrical version and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound options for the alternate version. Both versions fit onto one Blu-ray Disc through seamless branching. Both versions also feature English Subtitles For The Deaf And Hearing Impaired and French and Spanish Language Subtitles encoded as options. Depending upon where one saw the film theatrically as well as the type of home theater equipment used, the Blu-ray Disc release may actually provide a better viewing and listening experience than some theatrical screenings.

The bonus material includes a multi-part featurette collection regarding the making of I Am Legend (51:58) and a featurette detailing the science behind I Am Legend with a discussion of global pandemics (20:41). Four animated comics, including one that features narration and voice over work, are presented in a 16 by 9 high definition 1080p (where available) widescreen aspect ratio (21:50). The shorts detail events worldwide during the initial outbreak of the pandemic in I Am Legend and are similar to the ones found on Fox’s 28 Weeks Later Blu-ray Disc release. Both the making of featurettes and animated comics can be viewed individually as well as with a “Play All” feature.

The seamless menus that can be activated while the film is in progress without interrupting it are easy to navigate. Sadly the theatrical teaser and trailer are not included on this Blu-ray Disc release. I Am Legend is available now on Blu-ray Disc at retailers on and offline courtesy of Warner Home Video.

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