Apocalypse wow

'I Am Legend' inspires a look at other films about the end of the world as we know it

By Brett Buckalew

December 10, 2007

• Email
• Print View
• Share
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Furl
  • Google
  • Reddit
  • Spurl
  • Yahoo
• Add To Favorites
• Add to playlist

What if the civilized existence so many of us take for granted was suddenly demolished by an unforeseen force?

Would survivors band together to belt out R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”? Or would the fall out have more in common with the darker vision found in numerous sci-fi novels and movies?

Lately, the pessimistic post-apocalyptic subgenre has been thriving. The latest cinematic example, “I Am Legend,” stars Will Smith—formerly of the more benign sci-fi flicks “Independence Day” and “Men in Black”—as Dr. Robert Neville, a scientist who survives a viral apocalypse that turns the citizens of New York City into flesh-eating, super-strong, zombie/vampire/mutants. Not a pleasant thought.

To help the former Fresh Prince feel a little less alone in his bleak future, we’ve highlighted 11 more visions of post-apocalyptic survival on film. Some of them are audacious, others fall into the so-bad-they’re-good camp, and all inspire gratitude for the creature comforts of our not-yet-ravaged world.

Take a look.