Film Review
The Omen
Seamus Davey Fitzpatrick in The Omen |
A remake of the 1976 horror film, about a child who is the modern-day Antichrist, is a poor patch on an already frayed affair
Director: John Moore
Cast: Liev Schreiber, Julia Stiles, Mia Farrow
Running time: 95 mins
Rating: **
Jeremiah Kipp
This latest unnecessary remake of a minor horror flick lacks even the benefit of novelty, strictly conforming to the script of the 1976 original, which in and of itself was hardly memorable. Some 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina footage pops up in such an inane way that I couldn't even get it up to be offended. The Omen is a slapdash affair. It's laziness on the part of a studio that dusts off the tried and true, recasts the picture with affordable talent, drops in loud sound effects and rapid-style editing for the younger audience, and doesn't give a damn for any lasting value in their product. Will the real Antichrist please stand up?
Slant Magazine
Stacy Lane Wilson
People who are familiar with director Moore's previous movies needn't worry too much about his trademark "shaky-cam, just-because-I-can" intruding on the sombre feel of the film. The Omen is a close recreation but in general, there's more set up and suspense to the scenarios. It's a lusher, prettier, artier looking pic than the original. Some purists might take exception to the embellishments, but I liked them. The new The Omen is not scarier or even more memorable, but in many ways it is more shocking and suspenseful than the original. The death scenes are more intricate and macabre; and while not necessarily bloody, they are pretty appalling.
Horror.com
Jordan Harper
Well, June 6, 2006, is upon us, which means it's time to dust off The Omen. The original 1976 horror flick, starring Gregory Peck as the adoptive father of Satan's son, wasn't a bad movie, but it was a weak sister to other kiddie-devil flicks of that era, most notably The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby. Many of the film's flaws became apparent only after the end credits, and much of the film is absorbing. For those seeking shocks, the cat scares and deaths are top-notch – including the best onscreen decapitation I've ever seen. If the movie didn't take itself so seriously, it could have been a great popcorn muncher.
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