I wanted to see this film for two reasons: Charlton Heston and a rumor that Arnold Schwarzenegger might do a remake of it. Now I see why Arnold would like to do it. It has a fine plot, but the acting, special effects, and music for The Omega Man are all wrong.
Some regard this as a classic, but the only thing classical about is that it has a fine performance by Heston in it. He does a great job handling most of the films dialogue and you can't help, but wondering what it would've been like to see both Arnold and Heston in their prime in a good movie.
The plot of a plague sweeping the world and killing off most of the population is kind of blah and dull, but during the cold war I'm sure this was original. It just seems so boring now. The evil Family never seems all that much of a risk. If Heston would just build a bomb, he could easily solve the one thing that is causing him problems.
The music for the film always seems wrong and never feels like it was made for the movie. I've heard better music in an elevater than I did here.
The acting by everyone except Heston is just a travisty. It all seems done by a local community theater group. It's just so 70s.
The opening sequence of Heston running for cover at night and showing signs of insanity are actually the best part of the movie. It seems so real and scary, but then it crumbles. I give The Omega Man a C.
