Quick List: The Omen Series (1976 - 2024)
The six theatrical films in the Omen film series. All of Damien's exploits. All brought to you by 20th Century Fox.
The Omen (1976)
Damien: Omen II (1978)
The Final Conflict (1981)
* Omen IV: The Awakening (1991)
The Omen (2006)
First Omen (2024) - Coming April 5th, 2024
* Even though the Omen IV: The Awakening (1991), is designated as a made-for-TV film in the United States, it also was released in movie theaters in the United Kingdom, Australia and many other foreign markets too, thus making it officially, a theatrical film release.
My Rating System compared to IMDB:
10 IMDB = A+ (9.7 - 10.0) - Perfect
9 IMDB = A, A- (8.9 - 9.6) - Excellent
8 IMDB = B+, B, B- (7.7 - 8.8) - Very Good
7 IMDB = C+, C, C- (6.5 - 7.6) - Strong
6 IMDB = D+, D, D- (5.3 - 6.4) - Fair/Good
5 IMDB = E+, E, E- (4.1 - 5.2) - Worse than a D, Better than an F (E for Effort)
4 IMDB = F+, F, F- (3.1 - 4.0) - Fails, but still recommend seeing these films, because you have to see these films to believe them.
3 IMDB = UNWATCHABLES = 3 (2.1 - 3.0) = You shouldn't waste your time watching these films, but they are not the Worst Movies Ever Made. I still dare you to watch these.
1-2 IMDB = The Worst Movies Ever Made = 1 (0.1 - 1.0), 2 (1.1 - 2.0)
The Omen (1976)
Damien: Omen II (1978)
The Final Conflict (1981)
* Omen IV: The Awakening (1991)
The Omen (2006)
First Omen (2024) - Coming April 5th, 2024
* Even though the Omen IV: The Awakening (1991), is designated as a made-for-TV film in the United States, it also was released in movie theaters in the United Kingdom, Australia and many other foreign markets too, thus making it officially, a theatrical film release.
My Rating System compared to IMDB:
10 IMDB = A+ (9.7 - 10.0) - Perfect
9 IMDB = A, A- (8.9 - 9.6) - Excellent
8 IMDB = B+, B, B- (7.7 - 8.8) - Very Good
7 IMDB = C+, C, C- (6.5 - 7.6) - Strong
6 IMDB = D+, D, D- (5.3 - 6.4) - Fair/Good
5 IMDB = E+, E, E- (4.1 - 5.2) - Worse than a D, Better than an F (E for Effort)
4 IMDB = F+, F, F- (3.1 - 4.0) - Fails, but still recommend seeing these films, because you have to see these films to believe them.
3 IMDB = UNWATCHABLES = 3 (2.1 - 3.0) = You shouldn't waste your time watching these films, but they are not the Worst Movies Ever Made. I still dare you to watch these.
1-2 IMDB = The Worst Movies Ever Made = 1 (0.1 - 1.0), 2 (1.1 - 2.0)
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- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsGregory PeckLee RemickHarvey StephensMysterious deaths surround an American ambassador. Could the child that he is raising actually be the Antichrist? The Devil's own son?In this slow, but methodical exploration of the biblical concept of the Devil, in this case, inhabiting the body of a toddler, you do eventually get the point, that you are watching a very important chapter in film history. It is especially an important moment in horror film history. Most everyone has heard about the story of Damien, the Omen, even if they haven't seen the movies yet. This film was not inspired by other source materials. It is an original story, written for a motion picture, but after almost 50 years since its release, it is a film, that most people have heard of. It was a very popular film. It made a boat-load of money, back in 1976 and refortified the growing Summer movie season concept, already strengthened by Jaws (1975), the year before. There is a reason why this film is on so many film-buffs’, “favorite horror movies” lists.
The fun starts the moment you hear the Oscar winning soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith. Future Superman: The Movie (1978), Lethal Weapon (1987), auteur, Richard Donner, was the director on this film. He weaves an excellent story, that utilizes its actors very well. You feel for Gregory Peck's, Robert Thorn character, because he has a terrible list of choices to make, involving the fate of his adopted son, but also for the fate of the whole world. It is something, that is totally unbelievable to him and you see the struggle in Peck's face, as he tries to make sense of all that has transpired. David Warner as Keith Jennings, is a prefect, stabilizing influence to Peck's Thorn, which also helps keep the pacing to the film steady. The energy, that both characters imbue to the audience is quite powerful. They also bounce off their collective energy to each other very well. It is a well-crafted piece of work by director Donner.
Fans of the long-running, classic, British-produced, science fiction, television series, Dr. Who (1963–1989), may notice Doctor #2 actor, Patrick Troughton, as Father Brennan. This film is a British/American co-production, so many British actors pop up in this film. If The Omen (1976), had a little bit of a faster pace, I may have ended up loving this film. The film utilizes a lot of great filming techniques, honed over the last 80 years of the film industry, such as slow-motion, mood-enhancing camera angles and it also has a large pop-culture popularity, which is what makes this film a quiet winner from the 1970s. It is a really good one for Halloween too.
8.3 (B MyGrade) = 8 IMDB - DirectorDon TaylorMike HodgesStarsWilliam HoldenLee GrantJonathan Scott-TaylorDamien the Antichrist, now about to turn thirteen years old, finally learns of his destiny under the guidance of an unholy disciple of Satan. Meanwhile dark forces begin to eliminate all those who suspect the child's true identity.As this film opens up, director Don Taylor, gives off the impression, that Damien still doesn't know who he is, considering everything, that happened to him in the first film. This film takes place seven years after the first film, the classic horror film, The Omen (1976). Damien is going on thirteen years old in this story. He is in a military academy, as part of the school marching band. Eventually, he begins to grasp, that he is the antichrist and his evil begins to permeate into the world. This film tries to capture the spark, that was started in the first film, with the older film being a financial hit at the box office. It was also another summertime in 1978 for Damien: Omen II (1978). The summer block-buster movie season was here again.
This time around, William Holden plays Richard Thorn, the brother of Gregory Peck's, Robert Thorn, seen in the previous film. On his other side, the equally-good, Lee Grant, as his second wife, Ann. Holden gives a great performance, channeling the same anguished look in his face, that was seen on Peck's face, in the first movie. It shows how good, classic actors were at their craft. The power they can generate, just with facial expressions, is what makes a really good actor. His anguish comes from the same place as Peck's anguish. It comes from the fact, that he may need to kill his 12-year old nephew, Damien. Trying to struggle with the idea, that this kid is the antichrist and showing to us, the audience, his brain trying to process what is going on, is total cinema gold.
Composer Jerry Goldsmith returns for this film after his excellent score for the last film. The music is still perfect for this film. It has the perfect punch for a block-buster horror film. These movies have actually aged better, than what they were originally, during their initial releases. I think these movies may have ruffled some critical feathers, back in the day, but when you look at them, from a 21st century perspective, they are actually pretty good. The Omen movies may have come out ahead of their time. I have always liked the first Omen film, however, this film seemed a little boring to me, when I first saw it back then. But, I enjoyed it more recently, when I viewed it again, for the purposes of this review. I think it resembles a great example of 1970s, classic cinema. It has a quality to it, that needed time to mature. My recent experience was much more enjoyable, then when I saw it in the 1980s on cable TV.
6.9 (C MyGrade) = 7 IMDB - DirectorGraham BakerStarsSam NeillRossano BrazziDon GordonThe now adult Antichrist plots to eliminate his future divine opponent while a cabal of monks plot to stop him.I remember seeing this film back in the 1980s on cable television, probably HBO, which means I have only seen this film in its 4:3, television format. It is so nice seeing it today, in its original widescreen, theatrical proportions. The way it was supposed to be. It really makes the film better, considering, this film wasn't well liked, when it first came out in theaters in 1981. I remember seeing the Siskel and Ebert episode, when they bashed this film. It wasn't well received by critics and I remember not having the greatest time seeing it back then either. I remember my friends watching this film with me, with our 1980s haircuts, not really enjoying the film. But, that was then and this is now.
Much like the second film, I think this film needed some time to mature. I think the film does work better in the 21st century. For me, most of that comes from seeing the star of the film, Sam Neill, as Damien Thorn, all grown up. But, what is even more helpful is what I have seen of Neill since 1981. Since he did this film, along with a bunch of other titles, he was in, the Hunt for Red October (1990), Jurassic Park (1993) and even his cameos in the Thor films, have given me a new perspective of him, when going back to his older films. His career was fairly new by 1981 and this angle of viewing the film creates new pay-offs from the story.
The ending to this story does come quick, after so much build-up and the end is still slightly lackluster. It's almost like the story got out of the hands of the writers. There was too much information needed to be covered and this is why the mood of the film was muddied with a boring pace. The chaos that is laid-out in front of us, becomes unscary. This is a professionally produced motion picture and it does have a build-up of vintage mood, that has enhanced the entertainment level of the film. It is a good movie to watch, especially along with the whole trilogy of Omen films together. It is a classic example of early 1980s, horror films.
5.9 (D MyGrade) = 6 IMDB - DirectorJorge MontesiDominique Othenin-GirardStarsFaye GrantMichael WoodsMichael LernerTwo attorneys adopt a mysterious orphan girl as their daughter, unaware she is the new Antichrist, next in line to Damien Thorn.Even though this film was designated as a made-for-TV film and released in the United States on television, it also was released in movie theaters in the United Kingdom and in Australia, thus making it officially, a theatrical film. In this fourth installment of the Omen series, the producers decided to change the gender of the main character. In the tradition of classic Hollywood, that came before it, the writers wanted to explore the idea, that Damien may have eventually had a child, but this time the mantle of the Devil is passed down to a woman. It's like those classic films, that always switched gender, in order to glean more stories from the subject matter. We first had the Invisible Man (1933) and eventually we got an Invisible Woman (1940). We had the Amazing Colossal Man (1957) and then we got Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958). We had an Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) and eventually got an Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981).
Faye Grant, before this film was released, was most notable for her work on the hit TV series, the Greatest American Hero (1981-1983) and V (1984-1985). Her character in Omen IV: the Awakening (1991), Karen York, takes on the character spot, previously held by Gregory Peck and William Holden in the first two Omen films. She is, once again, another parent, who needs to cope with the idea, that she may need to kill her adopted child, because it may be a descendant of the Devil. Trying to accept what is happening, having to struggle, making sense of all of this, is supposed to be the main motivation for her character. The magic felt by Peck and Holden doesn't materialize in this film. In fact, nothing really does. It tries to be a remake of the first three films, by making the main attraction female.
The decision to tackle a story like this, with too low of a budget, turns out to be a bad decision. The characters are bland and the actors seemed unable to generate the energy needed for this to work. It doesn't help that the effects are not great either for 1991 and they make the film even campier. The direction and the script seemed confused with each other. The pacing can't be controlled and the production itself, seemed out of control. This is not a good film, but I couldn't deem the film Unwatchable. If anything, give Faye Grant a chance and watch how the producers kill this franchise, by replacing the six daggers from the first three films, with healing crystals and New Age psychics. At least Michael Lerner, tried his best.
3.6 (F MyGrade) = 4 IMDB - DirectorJohn MooreStarsLiev SchreiberJulia StilesSeamus Davey-FitzpatrickAn American official realizes that his young son may literally be the Devil incarnate.30 years after the original Omen (1976), was released in theaters, the remake came out. In the Omen (2006), Liev Schreiber is cast into the spot, that Gregory Peck had in the original film. That would be of the main character, Robert Thorn, the father of Damien. As in the first film, Thorn has to eventually come to the horrible realization, that he might have to kill his own son. It's ok though. He's trying to save the world from the Devil. Damien is back for a 21st century spin on the Omen films. Damien is played by, somewhat-newcomer, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. The original Damien (Harvey Stephens), was scarier than this incarnation of Damien. It looked to me, like the director, John Moore, who directed Bruce Willis, in the fifth Die Hard film, A Good Day to Die Hard (2013), told Davey-Fitzpatrick, to just glare a lot. This film does have a good cast though. Along with Schreiber, is Julia Stiles, as Lee Remick's, Katherine Thorn, David Thewlis as David Warner's, Keith Jennings and Pete Postlethwaite, in the role of Patrick Troughton's, Father Brennan.
Almost word for word, scene by scene, this remake tries to mimic the first film completely. They copied the original film a little too much in this film. They did however, do some things a little different. There are plot changes, that are slightly changed or moved around, mostly so the film can relate more to a 2006 audience. The famous tricycle scene was modified using a scooter this time. Things like that. Also in this film, a vehicle rolls down the hill, killing a character, but this time, at the beginning of the movie. What this film boils down to is, being another, polished, 21st century remake. In this case, a take, on the character of Damien, the Omen. It is not a great remake, but the Omen (2006), is still a descent attempt at paying homage to the original film. This film also has a pretty good soundtrack too, just like the original film had. Composer, Marco Beltrami almost captures the original tension, that Jerry Goldsmith did in the original film.
7.5 (C+ MyGrade) = 7 IMDB - DirectorArkasha StevensonStarsNell Tiger FreeRalph InesonSonia BragaA young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.