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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Lions Gate
Salesrank: 61571
Released: July 9, 2002 |
| Our Price: $5.88 |
| Used Price: $3.99 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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The Last Man Reviews:
It's the end of the world as we know it -- and I don't feel fine. 
2007-03-16 - Hypothetical situations abound, one-time director Harry Ralston gives us the ultimate post-apocalyptic glimpse with the world dead, left in the streets, in the stores, and throughout the landscape, sans in the middle of a forgotten desert. One lone survivor, attempting to rekindle his sanity, takes food from the city to his bungalow in this desert. All alone, he hopes for more, but with nobody around, he is left with white underwear, and a passion for a local Indian tribe - until the discovery of a camera which opens up new doors and breaks the barriers of human co-existence. Alan, a man of the book, is left on Earth after an unknown disaster. Thinking he is alone, he begins living life his way - until, Jeri Ryan, appears (like she would in any dream) out of the woods, disheveled, and unhappy to find the final man alive to be ... well ... like Alan. Anyway, they try to co-exist, fail, get drunk, and before creating the ultimate dystopia, they run into Redneck Raphael (played by newcomer - Dan Montgomery Jr). Bonds are torn, confusion sets in, a couple becomes a third wheel, and the battle between physically inept nerd vs. brainless jock. Even with nobody left on the planet, it becomes a truth that even the darkest of human nature will arise.
Using a variable film technique, Ralston gives us a mediocre story based loosely on another film entitled "The Quiet Earth" (which I will be viewing next) oddly which he never gives any credit towards. With a borrowed story, I guess he does a decent job of reinterpreting it. His punch seems to be lacking at the beginning while Ralston tries to find his stride, borrowing yet again from other film director's techniques to attempt to find his own. He opens the film interestingly enough, but fails to answer any direct answers. Sure, the final days have arrived, but could there be a concise answer as to "how" or better yet "why" these select few survived. A spookier beginning would have led us stronger into a comical film. The juxtaposition would have been like "Shawn of the Dead", but instead left us feeling like we were watching a "made-for-TV" program. Listening to the audio commentary, I have respect for Ralston because he worked diligently to get this film made, and his passion nearly sells the film, but you could tell from his interaction with the cast that he wasn't as happy with his overall final product. There were mistakes, ones that he pointed out and others that he was ashamed to point out. While this does make for decent independent filmmaking, it sometimes feels cheap, and in Ralston's case, it was the latter.
I must admit, David Arnott's portrayal of Alan hooked me. He played that wimpy, school nerd, adult role very well. He was funny to both watch and listen to, and thus he became sympathetic to the viewer. He was a key player in keeping the film together, alas, I cannot say the same for the rest. This was Dan Montgomery's first film, and it was obvious - I mean - really really obvious. There were scenes in which I thought the cue card was about to come out and read the lines for him, perhaps even giving us a more realistic performance, but alas, it wasn't the case. Then there was Jeri Ryan. She pulled into her character near the end of the film, which to me, was the culmination of the entire piece of art. She goes from estranged unknown to bitter cranky insane girlfriend by the end. Confused? Again, she fell into her character by the end, giving us just a glimpse of what she could have probably done as her acting matured. Even as the commentary progressed, all that she contributed was a laugh, giggle, or "ohhh, look at that color" moment. While her beauty may sell tickets, one may want to consider knowledge to be just as beautiful. This was her first film, so can I be too harsh?
Overall, this film felt like it was missing something. I though the idea was strong - the premise that even with only a peppering of people remaining on the Earth the evil of human nature still exists. Jealousy cannot be killed by bacteria or bombs (maybe because it is consumed by zinc?) and we as a race will always want what we cannot have. Ralston is not a surprising director, his techniques are flawed and pre-used, but he does know how to make a low-budget comedy. I think our idea of "funny" is different, so that is why I couldn't find myself laughing at many of the bits he found "hysterical". His actors provided the level of acting needed for this film, which was lower than average. His film was loose, meaning that there were elements never quite explained or tackled (i.e. anything with wings survived?!?), which overall harmed the intensity of the film. This was a comedy, but it could have been much darker and much much funnier. For those thinking that Roger Avery was a huge element to this film, as we learn from their commentary, all he was there for was money - the was in essence, the bank for "The Last Man". Don't get your hopes up for any classic Avery moments.
Don't expect more from Ralston - and that is how I will end it.
Grade: ** out of *****
For Jeri fans.
2006-01-30 - I admit, I got this with the hopes of seeing more of Jeri Ryan (skin-wise), and ended up watching the entire movie to see her in a one-piece swimsuit for maybe 2 minutes max. There it is, disappointing. The movie was ok, about the last three people left on Earth because of.....well, who cares. It was interesting to see how even between just three people, there were was still hook-ups and jealousy and every other human emotion. Overall, it was a little more than a bore. For rental only, or Jeri's biggest fan.
Two is company, three is a crowd 
2005-09-20 - If you are a Jeri Ryan fan, this is a great opportunity to see
her demonstrate her versatility as an actress in a lead role.
The storyline recalls Jean-Paul Sartre's "Huis Clos", but here
developed as a comedy.
It is a very good film, and when you listen to the commentary
by Harry Ralston, Jeri Ryan, Dave Arnott and Dan Montgomery
(in the bonus material), brace yourself for a lot more fun!
"Two thumbs up!"
Not the worst & not the greatest 
2005-03-25 - This movie had its ups and downs. It wasnt particularly too funny but it deffinately kept me entertained. Some things could have been fixed, such as having half the film be a fake documentory. Which was relatively annoying at times but the preformance of the actors and the plot of the film made up for this. If you are looking for something to laugh your ass off with keep looking, try Orgazmo or Mallrats. If your looking for a good movie that has little funny parts that will just keep you entertained, this is the film for you.
Last Man gets the last laugh
2004-06-15 - This is the type of film that creeps up on you, and you find yourself smiling at the end. David Arnott is a steriotypical unattractive, intellectual geek...Jeri Ryan is the attractive woman with issues, and David Montgomery Jr. is the uneducated but handsome hiker...all survivors of a mysterious, unexplained plague that has wiped out human kind, who meet up at various stages. Arnott is the narrator of this tale, as he video tapes his exploits and his personal accounts for any other survivors.
It's Arnott's performance that provides the tempo for this tale. He plays on his character's faults, showing how a man might feel to have the world dumped in his lap, and become more and more annoyed when things don't work out exactly as he perceives they should....as in his relationship with Ryan. The man now has his fantasy woman, but dealing with her individual emotions as a real human being is another story. And then of course being confronted when a third, better looking male survivor unexpectantly shows up.
Jeri Ryan (who does not appear in the form fitting jump suit on the VHS cover) gives a deft performance as a woman with relationship issues (as she warns future generations in her video legacy against "...women like me.")who wants to do the right thing, but just can't get past her obvious distaste for Arnott's physical and emotional being. Ryan once again shows that her acting skills are not soley based on her wearing tight clothes, and you might be surprised by some of her raw, emotional outbursts.
And although Montgomery's character doesn't have much to do, he nails his part as a fun loving guy who accepts the situation and let's nature take it course...as long as that course includes free drugs and a route into Ryan's pants.
Bottom line is you have a look at people who are given the world to start anew, and yet they just can't seem to kick the old habits and stereo-typed roles given to them by a society that no longer exists. Arnott shows deft comic timing as he jumps from dealing with his fellow survivors and then telling his side to his video recorder "audience", which is pretty much the focal point of much of the action. Don't expect gross out corpses or devastating scenes of dead cities or extreme violence...all the action takes place in what appears to be a desert area outside of California. The fun is watching these people come together. (...)
