"SC-S33/W4-Rewrite a movie ending (I am Legend)

Pick a movie with an ending you don't like?

A movie with an ending I don’t Like; I Am Legend (2007)

Movie Information

Title: I Am Legend
Year Released: 2007
Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Drama, Thriller
Director: Francis Lawrence
Runtime: 101 minutes

Main Cast:

• Will Smith as Robert Neville
• Alice Braga as Anna
• Charlie Tahan as Ethan
• Dash Mihok as Alpha Male (motion capture)

I Am Legend (2007) is a science fiction thriller starring Will Smith as Robert Neville, a brilliant military scientist who appears to be the last surviving human in New York City after a deadly virus wipes out most of the world's population. The virus, which was originally created as a cure for cancer, mutates unexpectedly, killing millions and turning the remaining infected people into aggressive, light-sensitive creatures known as Darkseekers.

Neville spends his days searching for food, broadcasting radio messages in hopes of finding other survivors, and conducting experiments to discover a cure. His only companion is his loyal dog, Sam, whose presence helps him cope with the loneliness. As the story unfolds, Neville meets two survivors, Anna and Ethan, giving him renewed hope that humanity can still be saved.

The ending of the movie, however, was disappointing to me. After finally discovering a cure, Neville sacrifices himself by detonating a grenade to kill the attacking Darkseekers while allowing Anna and Ethan to escape with the cure. Although his sacrifice was heroic, I felt it ended his journey too abruptly. After everything he endured, I would have preferred an ending where he survived, shared the cure with other survivors, and helped rebuild the world. That conclusion would have felt more hopeful and rewarding.

Why I Didn't Like the Ending

I felt the ending was too sudden and predictable. Robert Neville sacrifices himself to save the cure and help other survivors escape. Although the ending was emotional, it seemed to overlook the intelligence and emotions shown by the infected creatures earlier in the movie.

Interestingly, the film has an alternative ending that many viewers prefer. In that version, Neville realizes that the infected creatures are not merely monsters, they care for one another and are trying to rescue one of their own. This ending gives the story more depth and presents a more thoughtful message about humanity and survival.

This movie remains one of my favorite science fiction films, but I believe the alternative ending tells a richer and more meaningful story.

Rewrite the ending in your own terms?

If I could rewrite the ending, I would have Robert Neville survive instead of sacrificing himself. After discovering the cure, he would realize that the infected creatures are not completely mindless. They still have emotions and care deeply for one another.

Rather than ending the story with an explosion, Neville would return the captured infected female to her group as a sign of peace. In return, the infected creatures would stop attacking him and leave with her. This would show that understanding and compassion can sometimes achieve what violence cannot.

Neville would then leave New York with Anna and Ethan, taking the cure to a safe community of survivors. Together, they would continue working on a treatment that could help restore more infected people to their human state.

I prefer this ending because it gives hope for both humanity and the infected instead of portraying one side as completely evil. It also allows Neville's years of research and sacrifice to lead to a future where people can rebuild their lives together. To me, that would have been a more satisfying and meaningful conclusion.

Explain why you think your own ending fits in better?

I believe my ending fits the story better because it builds on what the movie had already been hinting at. Throughout the film, Robert Neville believes the infected are nothing more than dangerous creatures. However, there are moments that suggest they still have emotions, intelligence, and the ability to care for one another. My ending explores that idea instead of ignoring it.

I also think it gives Neville's journey a stronger purpose. He spent years searching for a cure while living in complete isolation. Allowing him to survive and share the cure with other survivors feels like a more rewarding conclusion to all the hardships he endured.

Another reason I prefer this ending is that it delivers a message of hope. Instead of ending with another act of violence, it shows that understanding and compassion can lead to peace. It reminds us that people should not judge others too quickly, especially when there is still a chance for change.

Overall, my version provides a more emotional and meaningful conclusion while staying true to the themes of survival, sacrifice, and hope that run throughout the movie.

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