Oh the 70's... safari suites, shiny puffy shirts, velvet jackets with lacy cravats, tape decks and huge, open topped convertibles. How could the 00's ever hope to compete on clothing, music and cruising around in those gas guzzlers??
Yes... I'm reviewing
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| The Omega Man - staring Charlton Heston |
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| I am Legend - staring Will Smith |
AND
Both movies are based on a 1954 novel by Richard Matheson, 'I Am Legend', which is generally acknowledged as the forerunner for the zombie genre and the notion of a 'worldwide apocalypse due to disease'. It was also the inspiration for the classic 'Night of the Living Dead' of 1968.
However, neither of the movies have stuck very closely to the original story line.
Where are the Vampires??
Matheson's novel, along with 1964's first attempt at getting the story to the big screen in 'The Last Man on Earth' with Vincent Price, both show the world overrun with vampires, not ...
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| Albino Cult Members |
OR
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| Nasty, loud, super aggressive mutants |
--- The Scare Factor ---
Now I'll be honest, when I first saw The Omega Man it scared me to death - and gave me nightmares for months afterwards... it was scary for 1971. But re-watching it as an adult, I giggled more than screamed! It's still creepy in parts though and there's no way I'd let my kids watch it - it would freak them out too!
Fast forward to 2007 and wow... now we're talking scary! I've seen this version several times and still can't watch (without half covering my eyes) the dog running into the dark building scene or the horrifying, full on assault of Will's 'fortress' near the end.
--- A Real Man ---
There are leading men (and there are leading men) and Charlton Heston plays the lead well. He is just all kinds of modern 70's man! He keeps his cool in most situations and he's in control.
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| He keeps a gun belt strapped around his leisure suite... |
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| Bares his well haired chest! |
AND
But he is also refined, a romantic, plays chess, is always cleanly shaven... with not a hair out of place.
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| He drinks brandy from a brandy balloon... |
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| He dresses to impress!! |
Poor old Will just likes to sleep in the bath tub with his dog!
No - now that's too harsh. In Will's case, he feels responsible for the whole 'end of humanity as we know it' deal (he's actually right-he co-caused it) and has witnessed his wife and daughter blown up, while trying to escape an infested Manhattan. Also these mutants are completely bad ass, tear-you-apart-from-limb-to-limb and enjoy every moment of it, creatures. The Omega Man's mutants simply want to live a pre-industrialised life and burn Charlton at the cross!!
--- The Real Differences ---
There are so many differences between these two film that they hardly resemble each other. While Will hunts for food, Charlton hunts for mutants. While Will is constantly adjusting to the fear he has to overcome just to survive, Charlton is laid back about it all. While Will is quite confrontingly going potty with loneliness and isolation, Charlton has a few 'crazy' moments, but overall is quite relaxed.
The Omega Man also includes important social issues of the day, from interracial relationships, to views on the evil technology has brought upon humanity. I am Legend doesn't go that deep.
The Verdict...
The Omega Man on the other hand is quite cheesy. In its favor however, is that I really enjoyed the strong female lead, unusual for it's time and the inclusion of character development in actors other than the main lead. This made a much more interesting story overall.
So surprisingly my winner, by a narrow margin, is
--- The Omega Man ---
--- The Omega Man ---
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