AntonioDelLago
06-12-2001, 06:53 PM
THE OMEN (1976) Along with “The Exorcist” and “Rosemary’s Baby”, “The Omen”, directed by Richard Donner of “Lethal Weapon” fame, is one of the best conspiracy-themed horror films about Satanic goings-on. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick star as a wealthy American couple living in Europe who begin to suspect that their adopted son Damien (Harvey Stephens) is the Anti-Christ after a series of bizarre murders reveals the truth about his identity. Peck and Remick are in top form, backed by a top-notch supporting cast that includes David Warner, Billie Whitelaw, Leo McKern and Holly Palance (Jack’s daughter). Jerry Goldsmith’s terrifying score won a well-deserved Oscar. Each murder sequence is highly original, and the “Reservoir Dogs”-style ending is appropriate for this ultimate good vs. evil story. The Rome and London locales are beautiful. And those baboons! Those Rott Weilers! Scary stuff! My grade: A
DAMIEN: OMEN II (1978) Directed by Don Taylor. Damien Thorn (Jonathan Scott-Taylor), now a teenager, lives with his wealthy uncle and aunt (William Holden and Lee Grant), and is groomed by Satan’s disciples (Robert Foxworth and Lance Henriksen, among others), to assume his position as the world’s next Anti-Christ. Several inventive, gory murders occur (like in the first film, nary a cast member survives) as Damien realizes his true powers. The excellent supporting cast includes screen veterans Lew Ayres and Sylvia Sydney, as well as Nicholas Pryor, Lucas Donat, Elizabeth Shepherd, Meshach Taylor and Leo McKern. Great continued use of Jerry Goldsmith’s Oscar-winning score. My grade: B
THE FINAL CONFLICT (1981) Directed by Graham Baker. Damien Thorn (Sam Neill), now an adult in his 30's, assumes his place in history as the world's next Anti-Christ, while making time with heroine Lisa Harrow and battling a group of monk assassins (led by Rossano Brazzi). This doomsday thriller pales in comparison to its two predecessors, but Neill inhabits the role of Damien with mucho charisma. The usual creative death scenes made famous by the first two "Omen" films are confined to a newborn baby bloodbath! My grade: C
OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING (1991) Directed by Jorge Montesi and Dominique Otherin-Girard. This worthless fourth entry in the once great horror series tells the tale of another rich political couple (Michael Woods and Faye Grant) who unwittingly adopt Damien Thorn's bastard daughter (the result of his affair with Lisa Harrow's FINAL CONFLICT character). This made-for-TV flick should have met a grisly death in pre-production. Co-director Otherin-Girard helmed the similarly inept "Halloween 5" two years earlier. My grade: D+
[This message has been edited by AntonioDelLago (edited 06-12-2001).]
DAMIEN: OMEN II (1978) Directed by Don Taylor. Damien Thorn (Jonathan Scott-Taylor), now a teenager, lives with his wealthy uncle and aunt (William Holden and Lee Grant), and is groomed by Satan’s disciples (Robert Foxworth and Lance Henriksen, among others), to assume his position as the world’s next Anti-Christ. Several inventive, gory murders occur (like in the first film, nary a cast member survives) as Damien realizes his true powers. The excellent supporting cast includes screen veterans Lew Ayres and Sylvia Sydney, as well as Nicholas Pryor, Lucas Donat, Elizabeth Shepherd, Meshach Taylor and Leo McKern. Great continued use of Jerry Goldsmith’s Oscar-winning score. My grade: B
THE FINAL CONFLICT (1981) Directed by Graham Baker. Damien Thorn (Sam Neill), now an adult in his 30's, assumes his place in history as the world's next Anti-Christ, while making time with heroine Lisa Harrow and battling a group of monk assassins (led by Rossano Brazzi). This doomsday thriller pales in comparison to its two predecessors, but Neill inhabits the role of Damien with mucho charisma. The usual creative death scenes made famous by the first two "Omen" films are confined to a newborn baby bloodbath! My grade: C
OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING (1991) Directed by Jorge Montesi and Dominique Otherin-Girard. This worthless fourth entry in the once great horror series tells the tale of another rich political couple (Michael Woods and Faye Grant) who unwittingly adopt Damien Thorn's bastard daughter (the result of his affair with Lisa Harrow's FINAL CONFLICT character). This made-for-TV flick should have met a grisly death in pre-production. Co-director Otherin-Girard helmed the similarly inept "Halloween 5" two years earlier. My grade: D+
[This message has been edited by AntonioDelLago (edited 06-12-2001).]