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Review of the 1973 Charlton Heston Cult classic movie, "Soylent Green." 3.5/5
In the year 2022, the Earth has become an overpopulated planet with insufficient natural food resources. Natural food (fruit, vegetables, and meat) is only available to the wealthy. The rest of the planet's inhabitants must rely on water rations and an artificial food known as soylent, produced by the Soylent Company. Soylent comes in three colors: red, yellow, and most sought after green. Soylent means soybeans and lentil; at least that is what Soylent wants everyone to believe. When the President of the Soylent Company, William R. Simonson, is found murdered, Detective Robert Thorn is put in charge of the investigation. During the process, Thorn unearths a large conspiracy involving Soylent green and the truth about what it is really made of! "Soylent Green" is a good 1970s sci-fi film, starring one of the top action stars from that decade, Charlton Heston. In the future, the Earth is a very different place from that which we now know. It has become overpopulated and underfed, taking on apocalyptic proportions. The world is now full of people that fill the streets, shelters, or decrepit living facilities. Only the rich can afford clean housing with running water, baths, air conditioning, and real food, while the poor fight over government water and food rations, namely the mysterious soylent. On the surface, the movie is your standard action sci-fi. Do not be deceived by first appearances. "Soylent Green" offers a deeper commentary on society and how our planet can easily deteriorate to the level of which this film portrays. It is both simple and complex, depending on how you view it. The cast is made up of some great, veteran actors and actresses. Of course, everyone recognizes the legendary Charlton Heston, who stars as Detective Thorn. This is Edward G. Robinson's last movie in his role as Sol Roth, Thorn's confidante and housemate. Brock Peters plays Lt. Hatcher, Thorn's boss. Joseph Cotten plays William R. Simonson, President of Soylent. The great Chuck Connors plays Tab Fielding, Simonson's bodyguard/servant. And Leigh Taylor-Young plays Shirl, Simonson's "housemate." Everyone gives a good performance, as does the supporting cast. Some humor is employed by Heston and Robinson in earlier parts of the movie. It fleshes out their characters a bit more, thus making them more realistic and likable. Robinson is especially fun and warm. The special effects are few and those that do exist are rather cheesy. The film is set in a modern city so most of it can utilize 1970s technological appearances. A few scenes are a bit futuristic, but they are rather plain looking. The soylent food is just painted wood chips. The musical score is very much in opposition to the subject matter, but it serves the movie well. The theme song is mellow and melodic, while the story conveys chaos. The juxtaposition creates an incongruity that only increases the sense that all is not right and well with the Earth and society. While "Soylent Green" might not be the most perfect of movies, moving rather slowly and covering comparatively little ground, it still offers a thought-provoking subtext with a few interesting characters. Edward G. Robinson gives a terrific performance; too bad his last role was not in a better movie. The issues with the film are a matter of opinion, but it is mostly an action movie after all, so it needs to be viewed as such. Nevertheless, "Soylent Green" is a cult classic that deserves respect and viewing by all sci-fi and horror fans.
The copyright of the article Movie Review: Soylent Green (1973) in Horror Films is owned by John M. Gugie. Permission to republish Movie Review: Soylent Green (1973) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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