Today’s quick review: The Omega Man. After germ warfare wipes out almost the entire human race, Dr. Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) is the only man left unaffected. He spends his days scavenging through a deserted city and his nights holding out against the Family, a cult of technology-fearing survivors rendered painfully photosensitive by the disease.
The Omega Man is a post-apocalyptic science fiction movie about the last normal man on Earth. The Omega Man shows off what daily life would be like for a man with a city to himself: his systematic search for supplies, his attempts to keep his spirits up, and the constant threat posed by the Family. Charlton Heston makes for an interesting protagonist, a steely survivor who still keeps his sense of humor.
The Omega Man shares the same source material as I Am Legend, a novel by Richard Matheson. Where I Am Legend is a zombie action movie with modern CGI and a bleak tone, The Omega Man is a science fiction movie in the classic vein. The actual plot varies between the two films, but they do share some of their best ideas. I Am Legend is emotionally richer, but The Omega Man manages to paint a similar picture with simpler strokes.
The Omega Man does have its quirks. The Family make for cartoonish antagonists, with Halloween-quality makeup, black robes, and sunglasses. The action sequences are generally satisfying, but unconvincing blood effects and the cultists’ flailing keep them from being gripping. The tone strikes a nice balance between optimism and despair, but the combination may seem strange to those used to modern storytelling.
Give The Omega Man a shot if you are a fan of classic science fiction. Its strong concepts and effective storytelling make it a worthwhile watch for anyone willing to embrace its idiosyncrasies. Skip it if you are looking for flashy action or high drama. For a modern take on the same premise, check out I Am Legend. For dystopian sci-fi with a similar style, check out Logan’s Run.
6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for compelling ideas and decent execution marred by a few missteps.