I Am Legend original ending

[kirant]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

I don't buy it... So his whole life he's fighting against these killer vampire creatures who want nothing better than to tear him limb from limb, trying to cure the human race that only has him remaining, but then changes his mind all of a sudden when the big vampire roars angrily at him, so he goes out and gives it all up?

I'm not convinced that's a better ending.

They don't explain it well, but the intent is to say that humans have become the monsters. Of course, in the original story, the vampire creatures were actually capable of forming a society. So taking that out makes it much less meaningful and much more confusing.

[Thor]

Bah this crashes firefox for me every time.

[photon]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Although it may be truer to the original material, I don't think it works well within the context of the movie adaptation. In the novel the vampire's are shown to be semi-intelligent (some of them) and to even have their own society. In the movie they're just mindless monsters... This ending suddenly changes our whole perception of them, and, to me anyway, comes across as a bit unbelievable with the movie Neville just so easily giving up and even apologizing to them. The vampire love is a bit much, too, in the context of the movie, anyway.

All my opinion, of course. I think it could have worked if what came before it was different.

Yeah I agree.

This was one movie where I did it backwards, I saw the movie first then read the book (don't ask me how I missed reading this all those years, I have no idea).

[JFK]

I liked the ending Warner Bros chose better than this alternate... this one was just weird to me. The monsters making love howls and giving each other eskimo kisses? I wasn't into it.

FTR, I have not read the book, and it sounds like that may have something to do with it.

[dj_patm]

I didn't like that movie much. Once the dog was killed it just went down hill. I wish someone would make a new movie about the last man on earth period. None of the stupid monster BS.

[Redliner]

Isn't this actually the 2nd or 3rd remake of this story?

I prefer the alternate ending because I'm familiar with the novel, but this version of the film is better suited to the original theatrical ending. Warner Bros chose to make the film as more of an action thriller than a statement on societal norms, and in fact Neville (Will Smith) has a line in the movie shortly after he captures the vampire female where he logs in his taped observations that the creatures have completely devolved and are devoid of any remnants of humanity they once had. To turn around from this approach in the last 5 minutes of the movie and go in a completely different direction doesn't really make sense.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

I didn't like that movie much. Once the dog was killed it just went down hill. I wish someone would make a new movie about the last man on earth period. None of the stupid monster BS.

Not the very last man on earth, but go see "The Road". No monsters but still pretty damn scary.

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by Redliner

I prefer the alternate ending because I'm familiar with the novel, but this version of the film is better suited to the original theatrical ending. Warner Bros chose to make the film as more of an action thriller than a statement on societal norms, and in fact Neville (Will Smith) has a line in the movie shortly after he captures the vampire female where he logs in his taped observations that the creatures have completely devolved and are devoid of any remnants of humanity they once had. To turn around from this approach in the last 5 minutes of the movie and go in a completely different direction doesn't really make sense.

Always nice when you go to say something and discover someone has just posted your exact thoughts. Thanks for the time saver!

[dj_patm]

Originally Posted by Redliner

Not the very last man on earth, but go see "The Road". No monsters but still pretty damn scary.

Yeah that movie looked decent but I was thinking less thriller more drama. Like how he copes and what he does until he eventually meets somebody else or something.

I'd write it myself but I'm lazy!! lol I'm interested in how much work writing a movie really is. I have an idea in my head for a good one but have no clue where to start lol.

(I did get an A- in Critical reading and writing )

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

Yeah that movie looked decent but I was thinking less thriller more drama. Like how he copes and what he does until he eventually meets somebody else or something.

Like maybe a zombie?? Sounds good, write it!


And I know this wasn't what you had in mind, but you kind of described the premise of Wall E. And seriously, if you haven't seen it you should check it out. Pretty damn good for a "kids" movie.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by icecube

Crappy cgi made the movie practically unwatchable imo. I can't suspend disbelief and get in to a movie with lame effect like this. Van Helsing 2.0

100%. I thought the idea and setting they built was great and Smith was outstanding in it, but I just couldn`t get past the bush league CGI. You`re right, it really takes you out of the believeability of it. Should`ve just made em actors, ala Dawn of the Dead. I actually heard that was the original idea, but they found actors couldn`t accurately display the supposed symptoms of the sickness they have, such as constantly hyperventilating.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

Yeah that movie looked decent but I was thinking less thriller more drama. Like how he copes and what he does until he eventually meets somebody else or something.

That's pretty much "The Road." Though I'd suggest reading the book first.

[Bertuzzied]

I can't wait for the sequel. It's called I Am A Legend and stars Alex Burrows.

[dj_patm]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

I can't wait for the sequel. It's called I Am A Legend and stars Alex Burrows.

Only if it uses the original ending please.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Kidder

Always nice when you go to say something and discover someone has just posted your exact thoughts. Thanks for the time saver!

But wasn't the part where the head 'bad guy' draws the butterfly on the glass the moment he realizes that everything he thought he knew about them was wrong? Even though they were mutated into creatures no longer human they were still capable of relationships - like most species.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

I didn't like that movie much. Once the dog was killed it just went down hill. I wish someone would make a new movie about the last man on earth period. None of the stupid monster BS.

That would be kind of boring. Kind of like Survivorman on OLN.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Of relevance:

http://www.cracked.com/article_16258...e-changes.html

I Am Legend is #5 on the list. I read this awhile ago and had no idea the movie was based on a 1950's novel. While I enjoyed the movie, after I read this I totally agreed they basically took the most basic form of the idea for the original story (Vampires vs. Humans) and "Hollywood-ized" it. I actually like the movie less now, knowing where they took it in order to appease the masses. Too bad, as I think it would have been pretty easy to touch on more elements from the original without dumbing the story down so much it becomes just another action movie.

Definitely in favour of the original ending. And better CGI.

[icecube]

In that cracked article I do not agree with the Dawn of the Dead ending ruining the movie. I stood up and cheered when Peter decided to kick more zombie ass instead of shooting himself.

His character was a survivor who never gave up, and to me an example of the human spirit to survive and persevere under the worst circumstances.

Peter is up there with the underappreciated great movie heroes of the 20th century like Jack Burton and Ashley J. Williams aka 'Ash'.

[7uongo]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

My bet is on focus group testing.

You're exactly right.

I remember renting the dvd and watched the alternative ending with the director's commentary. He said he originally went with this ending and when they showed it to a focus group, their reactions was fairly sour. After all the fighting and killing, the audience couldnt accept this sappy ending. So they went with the theatrical ending that most of you know. I think they made the right decision too