I Am Legend 2: A Chance to Fix Will Smith's Sci-Fi Past!
I Am Legend 2: Redeeming Will Smith's Sci-Fi Stumbles
Get ready for I Am Legend 2! This sequel isn’t just another zombie movie; this sequel, starring the legendary Will Smith could redefine how audiences remember Will Smith’s previous science fiction ventures and actually help redeem his past misfires in this genre. Smith’s known for action movies, but those science fiction efforts? Those often ended up making very drastic changes to the original material and really failed to fully capitalize upon those existing rich resources, and for fans this was always going to remain a major letdown. The original I Am Legend movie changed Richard Matheson’s novel—that book explored an extremely thought-provoking examination around what we think are “monsters”. Those monsters aren’t simply that; instead this movie presented this unique spin on what this really is. And it is far from a simple tale of killing evil!
The initial I Am Legend movie ended up turning into something else entirely; instead showing a relatively straightforward apocalyptic science fiction story featuring various intense moments of action that focused on monster killing. Yet, this new storyline— this potential future involving the sequel completely ignores those questionable story choices in favor of that awesome alternate ending: This shows promise for those hoping for a higher quality story!
I Am Legend 2: A Second Chance to Be Book-Accurate
I Am Legend 2 isn't directly based upon the I Am Legend novel; however, there are plenty of exciting opportunities which can now occur. That altered ending will provide opportunities which might make the new story more accurate and true to the book itself; something not done in the original adaptation and really harmed that storytelling for most fans who had actually seen and were involved with both the original written work and also with other iterations.
That alternate ending (and the version I Am Legend 2 uses) has Neville (Will Smith) realize that those infected aren’t monsters, they’re intelligent creatures whose family was captured! And to those infected people, it is Neville who’s the “monster!” This moment shows immense change within how those characters behave, showing that there was empathy and some regret which would shape the potential continuation of that series and for fans the prospect of something potentially greater, without having those major problems seen before!
I, Robot: A Missed Opportunity in Sci-Fi Storytelling
But I, Robot failed much more profoundly; that story's adaption is not something we might be proud of: This particular movie totally destroyed Isaac Asimov's original novel – I, Robot is originally a compilation of short stories featuring Dr. Susan Calvin; those moments that explored ethics, robots, and humanity in incredibly profound ways are mostly discarded in the adaptation which only uses parts; some minor details. It used elements and made changes to accommodate that changed reality of the movie plot!
The movie instead focuses on a cynical cop mistrusting robots, Dr. Calvin’s dead initially—only her story is alluded to; those are moments that get completely dismissed in an overly simplified story, showing that a potentially impressive tale which focused upon various deep ethics had ultimately been made into that completely simplistic movie only showing fights with AI robots plus huge explosions! The ending of this original I Am Legend movie is somewhat similar! What we should remember from that adaptation is the complete lack of consideration and reflection toward those deeper underlying story concepts which could’ve provided more engaging material; especially towards those who also read the original I Am Legend.
Both Movies Shared This Story Problem: Action Over Depth!
The original I Am Legend’s theatrical cut was also about explosions, the simplistic notion of destroying monsters over some deeper narrative that considered moral issues surrounding this particular disaster and those surviving entities! Neville’s actions completely discard any reflection on the events around the infected and leaves viewers and those who watched it in complete lack of deeper engagement and thoughtful discussion.
I, Robot did similarly—it turns Sonny (a robot able to dream and more intelligent than all others) into this noble sacrificial figure who died so humanity wins; ignoring the possibility of humanity working with these newly intelligent robots. That ignores potential storylines based on those various conflicts of interest and perspectives.
I Am Legend 2's Potential: A More Thoughtful Sci-Fi Tale
I Am Legend 2 has chances. It’s going to involve elements of the original novel– that implies potential inclusion for those deeper moral questions around the line between monsters and humankind and how these differences really only serve a particular perspective. That alternate ending already shifts that emphasis toward reflection. That changes expectations; we know this adaptation has the ability to create this unique adaptation from the beginning!
And that implies an amazing storytelling chance: The ending of I Am Legend showed an actual hero willing to contemplate ethical issues regarding how others should be treated; ignoring the simple choice of only "kill and end this." I Am Legend 2 should totally capture that spirit for something possibly completely unforgettable and possibly creating another epic masterpiece for Will Smith; this promises a unique approach within a new storyline that audiences had been yearning for.
Conclusion: I Am Legend 2 Has the Potential for True Greatness!
I Am Legend was fine but I, Robot wasn’t exactly amazing. Both failed to explore the actual potential within their source material! However this sequel presents a significant change and an unexpected potential! And it might ultimately rescue Smith's science fiction films!
I Am Legend 2 can use that great groundwork—that alternate ending and avoid previous mistakes which previously damaged its chances! Using that ethical, deeper focus of its source material – especially by contrasting that from those previously explored themes– is what creates an entirely new and greater potential; bringing thoughtfulness and actual nuanced storytelling!
