Five years ago senior American diplomat Robert Thorne's (Liev Schreiber) wife Katherine (Julia Stiles) had a delivery that resulted in the death of their newborn child. The thing is, she doesn't know anything about it. The hospital priest, Father Spiletto (Giovanni Lambardo Radice) convinced Robert to take and raise another child born that same night whose mother died during delivery. The child's name, Damien. (Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick) Years pass and Damien is happy as well as healthy. Everything appears perfect. That is until now, beginning at his birthday party where his nanny commits suicide. The occurrences continue with warnings from a strange priest, Father Brennan (Pete Poslethwaite) claiming Robert must defeat the son of the Devil. As the story progresses and more out of the normal events take place, Robert slowly begins to piece together the puzzle and realize the horrid truth. Damien is no ordinary child, he is none other than the Anti-Christ. It is then he learns that in order to stop the dreadful catastrophe yet to occur he must kill his own son. Or so who he believed to be his own.
Sounds interesting doesn't it? Perhaps it might be if the exact story hadn't been told in theaters thirty years ago. There lies one of the problems with this extremely unnecessary remake of 'The Omen'. It is so similar in almost every way it's disappointingly scary. Aside from a few death scenes and an added sixteen second dream sequence, the only real difference here is the characters have cell phones, digital cameras, & the internet.
The other problem, the acting. It was so close to grisly it just barely slides by as mediocre. Julia Stiles certainly did not amaze by any means. It isn't until shortly before we last see her that she almost manages to get a hold of her character and begin to come through. Possibly her next role as Glenna in 'Edmond' being released next week in select theaters will suit her better and give her a chance to shine.
I really wanted this remake to surpass its predetermined God-awfulness, but it didn't. Director John Moore tried to go a good job here but was unable to succeed. What he couldn't seem to grasp is when you re-make a film, you're supposed to bring and present the same feeling and likeness the initial movie contained, while still making it your own and adding your own print to it. Not rehash the same one and wrap it in a new package. He wanted to bring back a classic horror film and make it great all over again, but it didn't just happen. The fact it's practically scene for scene the same as the original is mindlessly idiotic. Heed my words, see the original 1976 'Omen', not this lousy remake. In it you'll find far better acting and an overall more enjoyable viewing experience.
- originally written on Jul. 8 '06