Runtime: 90 Minutes – Country: USA
First of all, I think like I have to say something about the title of this film, so that there won’t be any confusion. It seems like the makers have chosen to mix up the titles of I Am Legend and The Omega Man - not very inspirational, I guess. However, I gave this one a look…
The story is focusing on Renchard (Mark Dacascos), a lonely man who lost his wife and son (Joshua Schlegel) due to a series of serious zombie attacks on a countryside city in the US. He barricades himself in his house, backing himself up with food and weapons. It seems that he only has one aim left: to get revenge for the brutal loss of his beloved family. That is why he prepared many explosives, deploying them everywhere in the city – there just can not be any survivors. So he is planing to celebrate a grand finale…
But one day there is women appearing on his laptop screen – her name is Brianna (Jennifer Lee Wiggins). She claims to be one of the few survivors, being trapped somewhere in the city. Renchard however does not really seem to be affected by this fate – he already has enough problems. But shortly after this incidence there are to ex-militaries appearing in front of his house; who are somehow convincing him of this quest…
The opening screen with the… “interesting” title
First of all – and I think that this is no big secret: one can not expect to much here. Since the (copied) title is already saying a lot about the films content. A single man, who managed to survive a process of genetic mutation that is turning almost every human being into flesh-eating zombies (by the way, the animals seem to be vitally alive in this scenario…). Furthermore: who has to deal with a big familiar loss, being so desperate and lonely that he must keep himself under steady medication and the company of a mannequin – right, doesn’t this topic seem to be familiar… ?
But; I tried to stay focused, seeing this one as a totally unique film – which is very hard, when you have, for example seen I Am Legend just a few weeks before ! And to state it: the first few minutes are not that bad at all. Seeing Renchard moving around in his house, preparing the traps for the mutants; his grief and anger referring to his familiar loss; the imminent insanity – I think this is just well portrayed; but of course and again: it seems to be similar to the portrait of Robert Neville in I Am Legend…
The city seems to be completely abandoned…
So, I wasn’t that sceptical after watching the first minutes – what a great mistake ! Since the overall frustration was just about to come… to be precise: just when Renchard is first encountering the other survivors. Since this is nothing else but a series of illogical behaviour, unbelieveable relationships; and a general ridiculousness. Renchard turns out to be an immortal guy who can survive every attack (he has been shot 3 times, by the way), the female survivor turns out to be so attractive that he falls in love with her right away… my “favourite” scene: after they managed to escape in a stolen car; they are slowly “cruising” through the city – which should be full of zombies indeed ! But let me guess, they can not be impressed by this cool car and the calm behaviour… so they are attacking them – what lead to a serious car crash… how innovative; and of course: a totally believeable behaviour !
Renchard, who would not give up at any cost…
But my main negative aspect on this one: while the first minutes seem to be rather promising; just implying the general way of mutation – there simply are no questions answered ! The film just draws its attention to the overall explosives that are placed in the city – showing the countdown now and then. Let me guess again… this was the most easy way to continue with the storyline – which has now been totally relativized by this approach. No explanations, but rather a hilarious run away story… it is just like this, and this is the undertone of the second half of the film: if they would manage to escape the upcoming explosions, they will be saved. And; if we look at the end: it actually turns out his way ! How annoying.
Renchard has to face a serious opponent before he can continue…
Further aspects: there is a lot of brutality in this one, especially towards the end and the battle between Renchard and his new number one enemy. Talking about the technical aspect: concerning that this rather is a low budget production; it is not too bad. I even liked the fast way of cutting, the close ups; the overall colours – but by taking a look at the scene where the city finally explodes (oh my… this is just painful!), I tend to forget these brief impressions. The acting part is average at least – unfortunately none of the portrayed roles is very believable.
So, what about the final rating ? A totally uninspirative storyline without any serious backgrounds; a lacking of originality, a technical part that is not that impressive at all. Rather try to watch I Am Legend or The Omega Man, if you are interested in the overall topic; I Am Omega completely fails, especially after the first rather promising minutes – 1.6 out of 10.
- For the bold title-stealing, the weak idea and the bad special effects.
The DVD at Amazon.com – The Trailer on Youtube
Great Pc!