The Omega Man (1971)

Absolutely Fantastic

A Masterpiece!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

The second of three film adaptations of the novel, I am Legend, about a survivor of a global pandemic. This one is bigger budgeted than the first and better cast, but less gripping than the third. The opening sequences remain potent but by the third act it begins to outstay its welcome as we endure chase sequences and tame conflict which add very little, and the ghouls and their repetitive talk and wailing are quite ridiculous. There are some good one liners and Heston was the go-to man for action dramas of the 70s, his physical presence makes up a little for the lack of suspense. Rosalind Cash too, is engagingly brash and appealing.

This is worth seeing for Chuck Heston alone as he just makes movies come alive with his presence. The story here is supposedly he is one of the last healthy men standing and he has nothing but time on his hands of which we see how he spends throughout the movie. I like a good story that invites one to use their imagination. This one does. The premise is a good one. What would you do if you were the supposed last man on earth more or less. Here, this guy has a whole city of which to visit with and do what he wants all day long. Then, at night, he retreats to a fortress he created stocked with all the comforts and goodies one can have for the taking. At some point, however, the premise turns on itself. Why? How much can you eat, drink and carouse? What do you do after the first several months? Fortunately this movie asks and answers this question so the viewer doesn't have too. Strange also to see what appears to be Zombie type creatures way ahead of their time appearing here. Who would know that they were destined to become a movie favorite in the years ahead? I usually like to eat while watching movies. This one is a tough call because there are some scenes that challenge the appetite. Perhaps a snack and a tasty drink will do nicely. The story has been done and redone and brought current in theme but respect this version again if for nothing else Charleton Heston

As a result of a virus released during a war between China and the Soviet Union, an army scientist named "Robert Neville" (Charlton Heston) drives along the deserted streets of Los Angeles during the day doing pretty much what he wants because there isn't anyone left alive to stop him. The night, however, belongs to a band of mutants who shun the light and despise him for being one of the few people on Earth who hasn't been affected. So they try to kill him during the night and he does his best to return the favor during periods of daylight. Then one day while inside a clothing store he discovers a young woman named "Lisa" (Rosalind Cash) who appears to be similarly unaffected but runs off before he has the chance to get to talk to her. Needless to say, this changes everything—and not just for him but for everyone else as well. Now from what I understand this film is a remake of the 1964 movie "The Last Man on Earth" which starred Vincent Price in the lead role. That said, having seen both of these films, I would have to conclude that this particular picture is slightly better than its predecessor due in large part to the acting of Charlton Heston who seemed better cast for the role than Vincent Price. Likewise, the fact that this movie probably had more resources to draw may have helped in some degree as well. Be that as it may, I happened to like this particular movie and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

In 1975, a Sino-Russian global biological war breaks out and military doctor Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) tries an experimental vaccine on himself. He survives a helicopter crash and the plague. He could be the last man on earth. He's barricaded inside his home during the night while the albino mutants roam. The mutants are led by Matthias who is trying to kill him as the last symbol of the scientific past that brought about the disaster. He is captured by Matthias and then rescued by Dutch and Lisa. They belong to a community of young survivors.This movie has two great aspects. First there is the interracial love story which is edgy for its time. Second is the empty streets of L.A. Of course, there was no CGI back then and the streets needed to be emptied for real. As a movie, it's rather slow moving and boring. The acting is a little stiff which Heston does sometimes. It's cheesy without being that much fun. The good stuff isn't enough to overcome its deficiencies.