The Omen
Director: John Moore
Rated: MA 15+
Now screening


Way back in 1976 - let's say a few years later when the original film adaptation of David Seltzer's screenplay 'The Omen' appeared on video, I will admit that I might have been a tad frightened. And I wasn't the only one as so did many others when it first hit the big screen - though 'The Omen' was accused of cashing in on the massive success of another tale of a demonic child, Regan, in 'The Exorcist' (1973). 'The Omen' did however, if not only for nostalgic reasons, leave an indelible mark on my movie loving memory, therefore it warranted repeated viewings over the years since.

So what can one say about this 2006 remake? Sadly for anyone familiar with the old version, it really doesn't offer anything new at all. In fact, other than the shiny new cars, modern day clothing and settings, as well as the notable technological advancements, it's pretty well an exact copy - shot for shot, word for word. I honestly sat there and mouthed along with it - verbatim - and by use of the tone of voice with each of the characters onscreen as if I was re-watching the original. It's that faithful - blatantly.

Using Gus Van Sant's remake of the 1960 classic Hitchcock horror 'Psycho' as a point of reference, what is the point of rehashing something by numbers when it's clear that it really does take a lot more to scare today's audiences? And people don't talk like that anymore. Sure there were a few scenes singled out for exception: like the way one character (I won't name them here so as not to spoil things) was beheaded. And yes, while I was most impressed with the ingenuity of the latter take, I still enjoy rewinding the VHS repeatedly for that one moment because by heck it's pretty darn cool even by today's standard.

As for the new cast in general, what can I say? Because of the deliberate exactness of each of them when coupled alongside Gregory Peck, Lee Remick and co, I'm not even going to bother to rate any of them here. Then there's the bad seed himself, Damian, played by Shamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. Now I doubt he would've been allowed to watch 'The Omen - v.1' for research purposes, so therefore he can be excused for being bland at his role. Then again, the first kid really did nail the part whereas young Shamus really is too darn cutesy to be the son of the Anti-Christ, so let's just blame the director.

Steve Jones