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1Powerp i am legend

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Ryan Jones

The document provides an analysis of the film "I Am Legend" including: - A synopsis of the film's plot about a man named Robert Neville who is seemingly the last human in New York City after a virus wipes out most of humanity. - Discussion of themes like isolation, death, and the contrast between modern life and survival. - Analysis of significant scenes like when Neville loses his dog and has a mental breakdown, and when he discovers other survivors. - Application of various film theories to elements of the film's narrative, characters, and symbolic scenes.

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Done by Ryan Jones @ http://ryanmediajj.blogspot.c o.uk/ Unit 26 analysing film
I am legend talking head script: Intro + synopsis: ''the omega man'' on which i am legend is based. I am legend is a 2009 film starring will smith is based on the 1970s classic the omega man. The world has fallen apart from a virus created by a pharmaceutical company in an attempt to cure cancer Robert Neville is the last man in new york as far as he knows could be the last man on earth, until he meets Ethan and Anna whom eventually lead to Neville finding the cure.
In I am legend there are themes of isolation, death, peace/hope, then vs now as well as the luxuries of live vs survival, night vs day and state of mind the protagonist Robert Neville experiences not just mental instability form his circumstances but also a great deal of self loathing as he was partially responsible for the original outbreak. When Neville loses his dog (who is his only company) he attempts suicide in a reckless rampage against the infected which is where he is rescued and the begins to take shape. -the opening scenes show several dramatic symbols like the butterfly poster “god still loves us” the butterfly has relevance later in the film (leads to the cure). -the deer chase showing the audience how crucially nature seems to have taken over -Robert has had no human contact (apart from the infected) for three years, despite this he talks a lot whether it to his dog or mannequins e.c.t. In my opinion not because he is loosening his mind but in an attempt to keep it to remind himself of social interaction gives himself the impression of a community. Talking to mannequin scene Conforms to genre: I am legend, is not a post apocalyptic virus film like most we know not only are the creatures not zombies, but could be described almost like vampires (because of there sensitivity to light) and are more organized than Zombies. I think the writers choose these creatures in order to stand out from the other post apocalyptic films around. The infected in “I am legend” are scary not just faster than zombies but stronger than most people if it was up to me id take zombies any day. In addition most of the film is quiet, not constant running or action like “resident evil” or “dawn of the dead”. Instead there are tense build ups to revealing moments for example the audience might have thought Robert relatively stable mentally… until he lost his temper with one of the mannequins resulting in the death of his dog… in addition the audience thinks that there is no hope (or other people alive) at this point then Robert goes on a suicidal rampage to avenge his dog where he discovers Anna and Ethan.
The creatures in i am legend do not conform to genre Reasons for choosing this film: I am a very big fan of the post apolyiptic genre from dawn of the dead to book of Eli, I like the idea of a world without the restrictions of government and society in which survival is the only real intention for the day it puts things into perspective and is reminiscent of a time before technology and governments a time where survival was for the fittest, in my opinion the definition of “the Omega man” or even the title “I am legend” suggests survivor… Omega (the last letter of the Greek alphabet) is often used to denote the last, the end, or the ultimate limit of a set. In this case the last man alive. the abandoned landscape in i am legend would have been painstaking to film with one scene of the Brooklyn bridge costing 5 millin dollars. Narrative functions There is not much narrative in the opening scenes of i am legend except for the new report, which stets the backdrop for the film highlighting the "good intentions" of the scientists Robert Neville has a narrative in the car with his wife, which shows the audience how the virus has become airborne and lead to Robert staying in New York to try and rectify the virus.
In addition their isn’t much narrative between Anna and Robert exept debate about religion/hope (which is hidden but essential theme to the film) and the final scene in which Robert trusts her with the cure. Narrative conventions The butterfly on the poster has allot of significance later on in the plot though it only appears briefly in a scene at the beginning which reads the words "god still loves us"(not to mention the irony of it being posted on a military vehicle) The narrative starts off very slow and only picks up when the deer chase begins The presence of deer and lion highlights the post apocalyptic atmosphere with nature taking over in the absence of man. man vs nature The mental effects of isolation are also emphasized with the silence and Roberts zoning out whilst washing the dog this is before the sounds of the monsters outside as he slept, all after closing up the house to the sound of Bob Marley's three little birds for the night. The irony being Bob Marley is a contradiction to the sound of monsters outside. SIGNIFICANT SCENES (1 min 2 secs)in addition to the flashback in which the butterfly which eventually leads to the cure it is also the protagonists final scene in the film which is ironic considering the title i am legend this is the scene i have from the end of "i am legend"it is the moment when the protagonist discovers the cure to the disease that has plunged the world into anarchy (1min 48- 2mins 8secs) there is no sound in the final scene adds to the dramatic significance and feeling of hopelessness could be described as a barthes code enigma
According to propps character roles: The hero is obviously Robert Neville (whom dies for the cure) the villain is the virus (which is cured thanks to Robert) Anna and her son Ethan are the donors whom unwittingly deliver the cure the dispatcher or in this case motive is the absence of people which is a constant reminder of the work that Robert needs to complete to reverse the situation The helper would be the 2 survivors Ethan and Anna From Todorovs point of view: The balance of the film started tilted to the opposite of Roberts favor with very little hope and... ...The death of Roberts dog and arrival of the other survivors as well as leveling the equilibrium begins to tilt it the opposite way when the protagonist dies as a result of them arriving but discovers the cure before taking his own life which brings about the new equilibrium levi-strauss: There are few references to culture in i am legend however the scene playing golf on an abandoned aircraft carrier brings to mind the idea that a virus can bring a nation and government to its knees without technology and weapons but just basic biological chink in the chain. (Biology vs technology) in addition to the scene in the music store when Robert (driven slightly mad from isolation) flirts with a mannequin as they discuss the music in the store reminiscent of what the world was before the virus mentioning elements of romance and music presenting it to the audience as almost a luxury. (then vs now/luxury vs survival)
Infamous ''Fred scene'' Commentary for significant scenes: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_tts6_LpGnk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> • This is the scene in which the audience can clearly see that Robert is loosing his mind, if talking to his dog wasn’t enough. • The scene is so dramatic that it makes the audience feel that Fred has done something wrong. Robert proceeds to step into his own trap in a rage whilst shooting several windows out the surrounding buildings. This leads to his beloved dog Marley (his only surviving family member) getting infected. This can be described using Tzvetan Todorovs theory of balance and Equilibrium. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jFnmCQcXpfQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
• The death of his dog upsets the equilibrium with Robert already significantly unstable he is tipped over the edge by the loss of his dog and attempts to commit suicide. • He survives only to meet Anna and Ethan (whom eventually provide the cure unwittingly) according to Propps theory of character roles they can be considered the donor whereas Robert would be the hero. when Anna and Ethan are introduced <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nGUrIqR4Zh8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Alfa male and female • Alternative ending highlights the camera techniques used for example lighting in the final scenes was key and fill and the special effects which including fire smoke and c.g.i. Used to enhance the ambience of such a dramatic scene the creatures for the first time ever have are interacting with Robert and not attacking him. • This gives him the chance to cure the Alfa female. I believe they made this scene because of the fans demand for a sequel which is still pending. Despite will smith announcing that he will not be part of it. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/- 7LsxKkh0zg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> • In the original ending Robert kills himself with a grenade trying to save Ethan and Anna, Whom had with them the cure. Which has ironic significance to the title “I am legend” • In addition the original ending involves Robert discovering the cure is within his blood with a crucial flashback to his daughter saying, “look at the butterfly" essentially meaning to the audience “look into yourself”. This can be described in Barthes code as an enigma with signs going all the way back to the opening scene with the butterfly poster.
You can see the outline of the butterfly in the glass, which leads Robert to the cure at the last minute <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gLeix0ZYSCE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> • Opening scenes and butterfly poster(significance to end scenes ''look at the butterfly'') This is a very short but extremely significant scene in the begging with crucial relevance to the plot ''look at the butterfly'' which i think is a metaphor to look under your nose.

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1Powerp i am legend

  • 1. Done by Ryan Jones @ http://ryanmediajj.blogspot.c o.uk/ Unit 26 analysing film
  • 2. I am legend talking head script: Intro + synopsis: ''the omega man'' on which i am legend is based. I am legend is a 2009 film starring will smith is based on the 1970s classic the omega man. The world has fallen apart from a virus created by a pharmaceutical company in an attempt to cure cancer Robert Neville is the last man in new york as far as he knows could be the last man on earth, until he meets Ethan and Anna whom eventually lead to Neville finding the cure.
  • 3. In I am legend there are themes of isolation, death, peace/hope, then vs now as well as the luxuries of live vs survival, night vs day and state of mind the protagonist Robert Neville experiences not just mental instability form his circumstances but also a great deal of self loathing as he was partially responsible for the original outbreak. When Neville loses his dog (who is his only company) he attempts suicide in a reckless rampage against the infected which is where he is rescued and the begins to take shape. -the opening scenes show several dramatic symbols like the butterfly poster “god still loves us” the butterfly has relevance later in the film (leads to the cure). -the deer chase showing the audience how crucially nature seems to have taken over -Robert has had no human contact (apart from the infected) for three years, despite this he talks a lot whether it to his dog or mannequins e.c.t. In my opinion not because he is loosening his mind but in an attempt to keep it to remind himself of social interaction gives himself the impression of a community. Talking to mannequin scene Conforms to genre: I am legend, is not a post apocalyptic virus film like most we know not only are the creatures not zombies, but could be described almost like vampires (because of there sensitivity to light) and are more organized than Zombies. I think the writers choose these creatures in order to stand out from the other post apocalyptic films around. The infected in “I am legend” are scary not just faster than zombies but stronger than most people if it was up to me id take zombies any day. In addition most of the film is quiet, not constant running or action like “resident evil” or “dawn of the dead”. Instead there are tense build ups to revealing moments for example the audience might have thought Robert relatively stable mentally… until he lost his temper with one of the mannequins resulting in the death of his dog… in addition the audience thinks that there is no hope (or other people alive) at this point then Robert goes on a suicidal rampage to avenge his dog where he discovers Anna and Ethan.
  • 4. The creatures in i am legend do not conform to genre Reasons for choosing this film: I am a very big fan of the post apolyiptic genre from dawn of the dead to book of Eli, I like the idea of a world without the restrictions of government and society in which survival is the only real intention for the day it puts things into perspective and is reminiscent of a time before technology and governments a time where survival was for the fittest, in my opinion the definition of “the Omega man” or even the title “I am legend” suggests survivor… Omega (the last letter of the Greek alphabet) is often used to denote the last, the end, or the ultimate limit of a set. In this case the last man alive. the abandoned landscape in i am legend would have been painstaking to film with one scene of the Brooklyn bridge costing 5 millin dollars. Narrative functions There is not much narrative in the opening scenes of i am legend except for the new report, which stets the backdrop for the film highlighting the "good intentions" of the scientists Robert Neville has a narrative in the car with his wife, which shows the audience how the virus has become airborne and lead to Robert staying in New York to try and rectify the virus.
  • 5. In addition their isn’t much narrative between Anna and Robert exept debate about religion/hope (which is hidden but essential theme to the film) and the final scene in which Robert trusts her with the cure. Narrative conventions The butterfly on the poster has allot of significance later on in the plot though it only appears briefly in a scene at the beginning which reads the words "god still loves us"(not to mention the irony of it being posted on a military vehicle) The narrative starts off very slow and only picks up when the deer chase begins The presence of deer and lion highlights the post apocalyptic atmosphere with nature taking over in the absence of man. man vs nature The mental effects of isolation are also emphasized with the silence and Roberts zoning out whilst washing the dog this is before the sounds of the monsters outside as he slept, all after closing up the house to the sound of Bob Marley's three little birds for the night. The irony being Bob Marley is a contradiction to the sound of monsters outside. SIGNIFICANT SCENES (1 min 2 secs)in addition to the flashback in which the butterfly which eventually leads to the cure it is also the protagonists final scene in the film which is ironic considering the title i am legend this is the scene i have from the end of "i am legend"it is the moment when the protagonist discovers the cure to the disease that has plunged the world into anarchy (1min 48- 2mins 8secs) there is no sound in the final scene adds to the dramatic significance and feeling of hopelessness could be described as a barthes code enigma
  • 6. According to propps character roles: The hero is obviously Robert Neville (whom dies for the cure) the villain is the virus (which is cured thanks to Robert) Anna and her son Ethan are the donors whom unwittingly deliver the cure the dispatcher or in this case motive is the absence of people which is a constant reminder of the work that Robert needs to complete to reverse the situation The helper would be the 2 survivors Ethan and Anna From Todorovs point of view: The balance of the film started tilted to the opposite of Roberts favor with very little hope and... ...The death of Roberts dog and arrival of the other survivors as well as leveling the equilibrium begins to tilt it the opposite way when the protagonist dies as a result of them arriving but discovers the cure before taking his own life which brings about the new equilibrium levi-strauss: There are few references to culture in i am legend however the scene playing golf on an abandoned aircraft carrier brings to mind the idea that a virus can bring a nation and government to its knees without technology and weapons but just basic biological chink in the chain. (Biology vs technology) in addition to the scene in the music store when Robert (driven slightly mad from isolation) flirts with a mannequin as they discuss the music in the store reminiscent of what the world was before the virus mentioning elements of romance and music presenting it to the audience as almost a luxury. (then vs now/luxury vs survival)
  • 7. Infamous ''Fred scene'' Commentary for significant scenes: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_tts6_LpGnk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> • This is the scene in which the audience can clearly see that Robert is loosing his mind, if talking to his dog wasn’t enough. • The scene is so dramatic that it makes the audience feel that Fred has done something wrong. Robert proceeds to step into his own trap in a rage whilst shooting several windows out the surrounding buildings. This leads to his beloved dog Marley (his only surviving family member) getting infected. This can be described using Tzvetan Todorovs theory of balance and Equilibrium. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jFnmCQcXpfQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  • 8. • The death of his dog upsets the equilibrium with Robert already significantly unstable he is tipped over the edge by the loss of his dog and attempts to commit suicide. • He survives only to meet Anna and Ethan (whom eventually provide the cure unwittingly) according to Propps theory of character roles they can be considered the donor whereas Robert would be the hero. when Anna and Ethan are introduced <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nGUrIqR4Zh8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  • 9. Alfa male and female • Alternative ending highlights the camera techniques used for example lighting in the final scenes was key and fill and the special effects which including fire smoke and c.g.i. Used to enhance the ambience of such a dramatic scene the creatures for the first time ever have are interacting with Robert and not attacking him. • This gives him the chance to cure the Alfa female. I believe they made this scene because of the fans demand for a sequel which is still pending. Despite will smith announcing that he will not be part of it. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/- 7LsxKkh0zg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> • In the original ending Robert kills himself with a grenade trying to save Ethan and Anna, Whom had with them the cure. Which has ironic significance to the title “I am legend” • In addition the original ending involves Robert discovering the cure is within his blood with a crucial flashback to his daughter saying, “look at the butterfly" essentially meaning to the audience “look into yourself”. This can be described in Barthes code as an enigma with signs going all the way back to the opening scene with the butterfly poster.
  • 10. You can see the outline of the butterfly in the glass, which leads Robert to the cure at the last minute <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gLeix0ZYSCE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> • Opening scenes and butterfly poster(significance to end scenes ''look at the butterfly'') This is a very short but extremely significant scene in the begging with crucial relevance to the plot ''look at the butterfly'' which i think is a metaphor to look under your nose.