“I Am legend” is making waves across the world. It has been this week’s top grosser in the United States. It is expected to become equally popular globally. What is so special about it?
Of course it is Hollywood masala at its best with superb special effects. Excellent script. Gripping narrative. Moreover, it has something to attract everyone. I’m sure, Will Smith’s fans will not be disappointed. Besides this star attraction, Smith’s companion in the film, the dog will have the sentimental sniffing into the hankies.
The canine’s near human expressions when a lonely Smith talks to him will gladden the hearts of animal lovers. The scene when Smith strangles it after it becomes infected with the deadly virus, is riveting.
And of course, those loving the blood-and-gore genre of films will love the zombies. But the film is remarkable for its topicality if not for anything else.
In today’s world of medical break-through [ what with stem-cell therapy and all], it gives a grim warming not to play around heedlessly with laws of nature. It is a rebuke to profit-hungry drug corporations, who often carry out experiments in secrecy without proper safeguards and care.
The plot is simple. Scientists claim to have discovered a cure for cancer after extracting a vaccine from the measles virus. But, things go horribly wrong — patients turn into growling cannibalistic zombies and soon almost the entire population of humans turn into monsters as the virus spreads through the air too! Ah! But, it’s except Will Smith ad his dog.
Besides, the obvious message, the discerning can glean another deeper allegory. The virus is poverty. The poor of the world are the zombies. In the film Smith appeals to the monsters, when he is surrounded by them, that he has a cure for them. But the mindless monsters are beyond reason.
The rich of the world should do something about the have-nots while there is time. The poor suffer in silence today. But tomorrow could be a different story. Poverty is spreading like a virus today and gap between the rich and poor is widening.
