Fans of Will Smith will certainly want to see I Am Legend, for he’s practically the sole star in yet another remake based on Richard Matheson's 1954 novel of the same name. Smith portrays Robert Neville, a military scientist and maybe the last man on earth.

When another scientist believed she discovered the cure for cancer, many people around the world took the drug, only to discover later it morphed into a form of rabies, thus creating "the infected" or as Robert refers to them, monsters or beasties.

During the hard-hitting and fast-paced opening scene as Robert drives crazily through a decayed and empty New York City, we learn that he and his dog Sam are trying to run over a heard of deer. It's unclear why, but while he drives, Robert blasts a message over a megaphone every day repeating, "My name is Robert Neville. I am a survivor living in New York City. If there is anyone out there…anybody, please, you are not alone."

Robert tells them to meet him at the wharf, so every day at noon he meanders from his impressive Superman-like hideout to wait, but no one shows up. Anyone alive would only come in the daylight, because “the infected” cannot survive light. That's why at night Robert closes metal shutters over his windows, locks the joint down and thinks no one knows where he is.

Inside, he has all the comforts of home -- music, TV, years' worth of can foods and one package of bacon he's saving. In a moment of Robert’s memory recall, we learn how the virus came to be, how New York was evacuated, and how Robert watched the helicopter carrying his family crash and burn. Robert drowns his sorrows in his basement lab where he's experimenting on a cure for the virus.

Although some actors fill brief scenes in the movie, Smith is left to carry on dialogue with inanimate objects -- and mostly with Sam. That's a difficult task, but he does it extremely well. We understand his plight, his vision and at times feel a tug at our heartstrings for a man who has been alone for three years.

Smith was anxious to take on this role which other top stars sought after. "There are so many genres within it: horror, science fiction, and this wonderful character piece,” said Smith. “The psychology of being the last man on Earth has always intrigued me. The physical, emotional and spiritual lengths that Robert Neville has to go to just to survive present a beautiful opportunity to tell a universal story about the nature of humanity.”

There are some plot holes in this sci-fi drama/horror film, but it also features both expected and unexpected bumps and thrills. My biggest complaint involves the CGI creation of "the infected." I was happily immersed in Robert's world and his struggles until things changed and the monsters began to get the upper hand. Yes, they are frightful looking and can snare like a savage beast…but that's it. Every time you see them they're one-dimensional, so after several scenes they become unbelievable. It’s like someone popping your big balloon.

Smith’s fans as well as viewers who enjoy horror films will probably overlook the trite ending and enjoy I Am Legend. This movie is action-packed and almost feels real. It's a shame, though, that Smith's heartfelt work and preparation doesn't pay off because of the CGI snafus around him.

(Released by Warner Bros. Pictures and rated “PG-13” for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence.)

Review also posted on www.reviewexpress.com.