Welcome to Reel People. It’s a place where, you guessed it, real people like yourselves spout off on new movie releases. It works best if you - yes, we mean you - jump into the forum link below and tell us what you think of the movie, too.

This week, we’re watching I Am Legend.

What I Liked: I think this film is above average for a zombie/end-of-the-human-race movie; it’s not quite on the level of “28 Days Later,” but still pretty good. Will Smith did a good job, especially in the emotional scenes involving his only friend who’s played by a dog. The film doesn’t have that cheap B movie feel like most films in this genre. The special effects were great; the zombies in particular looked very real and scary. The zombie growls definitely get an A.

What I Disliked: The ending is a bit of a let down. I won’t spoil it but it’s very predictable and typical. I feel Will Smith’s character has too many talents – he’s a doctor, he’s Rambo, he’s got abs of steel, he’s immune to the zombie inducing disease…maybe he should fly, too? He was a bit too much like a superhero which doesn’t really fit with this type of story.

Would I Recommend?: Yes, if you really like Will and zombies then go see it. If not, it’s at least a good rental.

Score: 6 out of 10

- Nick Conrad

What I Liked: Will Smith is the best thing about this movie.  He continuously proves that he is an amazing actor that can take any role and make it real.  I truly believed I was watching the diary of the last man on Earth.  It was easy to connect to his emotions and feel what he was feeling.  This film is very thought provoking.

The thought of being alone scares me now even though there are people all over the world.  To wake up one day and find not only are you alone in your apartment, but also in the entire world scares me even more.  I can’t imagine a life of quiet.  As I think about this film in the future maybe now I won’t mind a baby crying or a guy at a red light flipping me off for not going when it turns green.  Interaction with people is something this film will enable me to enjoy now more than ever.

What I Disliked: The quietness of the film made it difficult to watch at times.  Because of the fact it’s just a man and an empty city I kept thinking something was going to jump out and attack.  After seeing so many scary movies in the past and then seeing Will Smith’s character exploring the empty city it’s easy to expect another man or woman come around the corner with a knife and kill the ‘good guy.’

Would I Recommend?: Yes, I would recommend this film because it is frighteningly believable. It makes for great conversation and helps you appreciate what you have.

Score: 8 out of 10

- Ashley Grant

What I Liked: Will Smith was outstanding as the lonely scientist-turned-survivor Dr. Neville.  The story revolves around one man who has survived a deadly virus and has lived alone in New York City for years, continually searching for supplies, survivors and scientific breakthroughs.  A weaker actor in such a large role would have made the film unbearable, but Smith expertly blends sadness, intelligence and madness into a believable and memorable character.

The special effects used to create the eerie, run-down, lonely version of New York were well-done.

What I Disliked: The CGI-created “zombies” were neither memorable nor moving; we’ve seen the same thing a dozen times before (quite often in a more-terrifying version than as seen here).

The film provided very little backstory.  The brief storyline—reconstructed through flashbacks – jumps from the announcement of a major medical breakthough to an inefficiently-handled evacuation of Manhattan to Neville living alone in his well-stocked and well-protected fortress of an apartment.  What happened in between?  And why was Neville featured on the news magazine cover displayed on his refrigerator?  (Did he help create the original virus or did he just come the closest to finding a cure?)

To me, the brief mention of religion and the will of God towards the end of the film seemed like an afterthought.  That scene was too quick to spark any meaningful dialogue and too perfunctory to add dimension to the characters.

Would I Recommend?: This is not a run-of-the-mill, mindless horror movie, by any means, even though there are zombies (sort of). It’s more of a psychological terror/thriller and it’s worth seeing.

Score: 7 out of 10

- Lisa Ciurro