Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'The Last Man on Earth'

Written by Scott Edwards

​What would you do if you were the last person on the face of the planet? Would you be able to survive on your own, or would you be able to keep going without contact from any other humans?  It is quite the question to think about, but you never know what the world has in store for you, so you might want to ponder on it for just a moment or two. I would like to think that I would be able to survive if I was the only one left, but overall, I think I would just drive myself crazy without being able to talk to anyone and that might only take a week versus the years I know I would have to endure.

Doctor Robert Morgan is on his own going on three years. With a routine in place, Robert is able to stay alive by making sure that his house is protected from those creatures that come out at night. Needing more supplies such as garlic and mirrors, Robert needs to head back into town, but that is not his only duty as there are bodies littered outside of his house from the previous night's attempted attack. Loading them up and taking them to the pit, Robert dumps the lifeless corpses into the fire and goes along with his day. Wanting to find out where these creatures hide during the day is his primary goal as he would like to end the madness that plagues him when the sun goes down.

Knowing that they get sick from the smell of garlic and cannot bear to see their reflection in a mirror, these are two of the standard things that need to be replenished at the house, but Robert also has fashioned wooden stakes that have become a necessity in killing the undead. As the days pass, Robert grows tired of doing the same thing, but he knows that if he does not do it, nobody will. Needing time to recharge his batteries, Robert spends time in his wife’s crypt, but when he falls asleep until the sun goes down, he knows that he must return to the safety of his home. Knowing that the creatures will be everywhere, Robert is able to get into his home, but the undead decide that since they cannot have him, they will destroy his car.

Seeing the destruction the next day, Robert has to go car shopping once again, but finds an interesting addition to his home as he pulls into the driveway. A dog is lurking around, looking for something to eat and when Robert tries to call out, the dog gets spooked and runs away. During his search for the mutt, Robert finds a couple dead creatures that have been stabbed through the heart with iron spears. Knowing that he is not the only survivor sparks Robert’s spirits and he wants to find where the others are hiding. Not knowing where to begin since he has been searching the city for years, Robert gets lucky as he sees a young woman walking his way. Although he can tell she is afraid of him, he is able to convince her to join him at his house for the night. But the young woman has a secret and even though Robert does not want to believe it, he knows that she is one of the undead that scours the streets looking for their next meal. 

This is my favorite movie version of the great novel I Am Legend.  I think that everything went right with this movie and there was just enough humanity provided to Robert to allow for him to truly believe he wants to try and help someone other than himself. Knowing that a virus has taken over the globe, Robert is able to survive by using the information that is provided to him before everyone turns, but when he sees an opportunity to help someone else, he jumps at it and I think that is what makes him such a strong character. With plenty of backstory and an undead force that creeps outside of the house every night, it would be easy to see someone driving themselves mad, but all it takes is a glimmer of hope to keep someone’s mind right and looking towards the future. Stay Scared.

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