I Am Legend analysis

I Am Legend – Opening scene analysis

   The opening sequence of I Am Legend encompasses a number of sinister themes, for example, Isolation. In our first taste of action, we see from a birds-eye shot, a miniscule car travelling through this colossal city. Immediately we indentify the theme of suffocating isolation, being separated and cut off from human communication, which links with the similar theme of loneliness. We are shown just how lonely he is as his only company is a dog, and the animals around the city have more relationships than he does. Apocalypse and the breakdown of civilization are also strong themes. The film is set in New York City, which is thought of as one of the ‘centres of the world’, and this setting accentuates and exaggerates the fact that it is now desolate and uninhabited, as it is usually rife with people. The city has been taken over by nature, with plants growing up sky scrapers and animals running free through the city. This shows the theme of civilization as we know it breaking down, or reverting to its original form when it was unspoilt by man. The ‘God still loves us – but do we still care?’ poster, is a brilliant example of this theme. However, the main theme running through the opening scene, is that of the unknown. All we are told is that New York is barren of human existence except for one man. Wild animals are running free, and the man has to hunt them for his food. An alarm goes off and the man has to go. But we don’t know anything else.

  

  Will Smiths character is the hero of the story. At first we see him driving through a deserted city with a gun, and could assume that he is the baddie, however the fact he has a dog softens his character and makes him the good guy. His character wears a leather jacket which is strong iconography for a mysterious or slightly darker or 'cooler' character.  He is edgy, his mannerisms are jerky and alert and he has shifty eyes. Through this we get the feeling that he knows there are things he needs to look out for, and also makes us uneasy as we don’t know what is coming. He’s experienced; the way he drives so precariously suggests that he knows the roads, and he knows that he’s not at risk of hitting another car. Neither he nor his dog seem particularly fazed by the wild animals on the contrary it appears they went out looking for them. Both he and his dog seem to be well trained to the situation, which implies that they have been there long enough to get used to it. He’s a desperate survivor; he has taken the measures to ensure that he and his dog can survive in these conditions, however you can see the desperation in his face when he doesn’t manage to kill the deer.

  The scene opens with diegetic birdsong and animal noises. These natural sounds create an oxymoron and a sense of misplacement with the setting of New York City. There are strong winds, the empty swirly kind that sounds as though it could be a plane which creates a sense of loneliness and abandonment. The car interrupts the natural sounds crudely which reinforces the idea that man and technology destroyed earth in its purest form. The screeching tyres of the car keeps the audience alert and on their toes, enforcing a tone of suspense. When we first see the deer, it introduces itself with a frightened squawk, making the audience jump and a high suspense chase begins. Again reinforcing the previous said idea of technology versus nature, is the contrast of the car tyres and the deer hooves, which make up the chase sounds. When the scene shifts to Will Smith walking through the grass, we immediately identify the sound of footsteps. Footsteps always create suspense, much like the non-deigetic heartbeat often used in Thrillers. Footsteps accentuate the movement, and the emphasis on them makes the audience more alert and apprehensive. In this case they also stress the fact that he is the only person in the city. The sound of the lion breaking the deer’s neck is so striking and tells the viewer just how real the situation is that Will Smith’s character is in.

  The function of the opening establishing shot is to demonstrate and emphasise the emptiness of the city. There are a number of pans up and down buildings and of deserted streets for the same purpose. The extreme long bird’s eye shot is to show how small the car is compared to the city, and demonstrate the theme of loneliness. During the deer chase there are point of view shots which lets us feel the action from the characters perspective, as if we are in the film, which is much like computer gaming. The edit is fast and jumpy, adding to this effect.