Tools for this page
Print

I Am Legend

(2007, Rated PG-13, Science fiction, Starring Will Smith, Dash Mihok, Alice Braga)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Intense, thoughtful thriller has some big scares.

updated 04.06.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    In the aftermath of a viral apocalypse, society has collapsed. People have become zombie-like mutants that feast on human flesh. The main character is reduced to his base nature, paranoid and on the brink. But he rises to the occasion when the time comes and makes a difficult decision for the good of mankind.
  • Violence :

    Frequent. The main character totes guns and shoots at marauding, rabid mutants who attack him with the intent to either eat him or kill him -- or both. He also accidentally stabs himself, flashes a gun at a woman and her child, and conducts experiments on feral rats and other creatures. Bridges and buildings explode, cars careen, and a loyal dog becomes collateral damage.
  • Sex :

    A married couple shares a tender kiss.
  • Language:

    Pretty mild; "damn," "hell," "Oh my God."
  • Consumerism:

    Premium placement for the Mustang GT500, Apple computers, iPod, and a Time magazine cover. Lots of signage left behind in New York, especially in Times Square, where billboards for Broadway shows abound, as well as hotel brands like Hyatt.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Robert downs prescription pills at a very difficult moment.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About I Am Legend

Parents need to know that although this cerebral action thriller is quite clean when it comes to language and sexual content, it deals with intense subjects like the fall of mankind and the fight for survival. It's not for kids who get scared, since it gets pretty terrifying, especially when the mutants take their turn onscreen. They jump out of nowhere, and the movie makes the most of that suspense to heighten the audience's response. Overall, the movie is very sobering -- and, unlike many Will Smith thrillers, it's light on the fun. Still, teens will want to see it and will be intrigued by the special effects and the edge-of-your-seat action.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Hollywood's fascination with disaster movies and post-apocalyptic stories. What's the hook? How is this one different? Which aspect of the movie is more interesting to you: its thoughtful side or the fighting-off-mutants side? How is this movie different from other Will Smith sci-fi films? Families can also discuss what they'd do in Robert's place. Would you be able to keep your wits about you, as he seems to have (barely)? Would you be able to make the selfless decisions he seems to make?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Have You Seen It? Review It!

  • What did you think about I Am Legend?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 126 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    A Stellar Thriller With a Thoughtful Side...

    I AM LEGEND could have been a bad movie. The people making it could have messed up in many ways. However, they turn the flaws of the story into advantages. Its biggest asset is Will Smith's powerhouse performance. The script is very well-written also. The people making this movie took a big risk. Instead of making it an all-out action thriller with mindless, constant violence, they took the story line and made it, primarily, a tragedy about one man left alone in the world (with some great action pieces on the side). Parents need to know that this movie is very intense. Even when the action lets up, the emotion doesn't, and several scenes are emotionally draining, whether by fright or sadness. I don't like to include SPOILERS! in my reviews, but for the sake of a well-informed review, I will now. SPOILER! About 50 minutes into the movie, Neville's dog, Sam, becomes infected with the virus. He must strangle her before she becomes a zombie like the rest, and, since the dog is his only companion through the movie, this scene will be too overpowering for kids under 12 at least. END OF SPOILERS. In addition to that emotional scene, there are several others detailing the death of Neville's wife and daughter (helicopter crash). There's no more violence in the movie than there is in, say, a SPIDER-MAN film, but many scenes featuring the zombies will be frightening for kids. The film has a constant feel of desperation and despair, and while I wouldn't call it disturbing, it makes the film NOT for kids.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Best first horror/ thriller film! *SPOILERS*

    this movis had a few scares as well as a operation/injection on a mutant which jumps up which scared me. the sad oart is when...***SPOILER*** the dog, sam dies. it is also weird when a manniquen named fred is standing in front of a building and you see it's head move! good first scary film! :-)

  3. Kid Reviewer
    Age 10
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    sad. but good

    prettty good. might startle kids 8 and under. very sad. not even scary. it was probably only rated PG-13 for the sadness. because *SPOILER******** dog, sam, gets bitten and will smith has to kill her to survive. its funny because hes like "hey fred what the heck you doin" meanwhile fred is a maniquinn. not scary just makes you jump becasue most of the movie is just him trying to stay alive. then when theres action, its loud and startles you. like when sammy gets lost in the building he goes into look for her and sees the mutants feeing. then they start screeching and run towards him and you jump because you dont expect it.

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    spooooooooooooooooooooooky

    verry good the book is good 2

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    my favorite movie. not much language, no sex, any violence is necessary for the plot and there is just enough. scary too :-)

Find movies reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Site of the Week

    KidZui

    KidZui

    Kids' browser features prescreened, safe sites.

  • Advice for Parents

     iPhones, Apps, and Preschoolers

    iPhones, Apps, and Preschoolers

    Do you let your kid use your smartphone?

  • Tech Tip

    A how-to guide for parents. Google Safe Search

    A how-to guide for parents.

  • Member Buzz

    What is Twitter?

    What is Twitter?

    What's all the buzz about?

  • Game of the Week

    EA Sports Active

    EA Sports Active

    Virtual personal trainers help families get fit on the Wii.