Well Marketed The Omen Doesn't Earn 6 Kernels

     The Omen is a good movie but it is an even better marketing ploy. The remake of the 1976 horror flick with the same title opened on Tuesday, June 6, 2006. For those in need of a more obvious date, that’s 06/06/06 which refers to 666 – the universally acceptable sign of the devil. Movies normally open on Fridays or Wednesdays so it was quite different that The Omen opened on a Tuesday. That did not stop moviegoers from taking the day off of work to see the movie on its clever premiere date, though, as it climbed its way to the highest grossing Tuesday debut. The Omen raked in $12.6 million on just its opening day.

     Many people were expecting something unpleasant to happen on June 6, 2006. Although nothing wicked happened, perhaps the inexplicable craving for fear pulled people to the theatre that day. Since it worked for the movie, a marketing ploy should work for its review. Instead of a normal critique, I’ve decided to apply the 666 concept. First, I will detail the plot of The Omen in six sentences. Then, I will specify six positive elements of the flick followed by six negative elements. This will not likely earn me $12.6 million, but it will definitely make for an interesting read.

      (1) The Omen stars Live Schreiber and Julia Stiles as Robert and Katharine Thorn, the parents of a newborn baby boy named Damien. (2) Only a small handful of people know, Robert included, that Damien is not Katharine’s baby but actually the baby of a jackal. (3) Five years later, Robert and Katharine begin noticing strange behaviors in Damien, played by Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. (4) Having knowledge that there are signs of the apocalypse among us, a priest played by Pete Postlethwaite tries to warn Robert about the child’s destiny. (5) Robert refuses to listen, though, giving Damien time to kill his nanny as well as bring possible harm to Katharine. (6) Now, it is up to Robert and a photographer played by David Thewlis to stop the antichrist and his new demonic nanny played by Mia Farrow before the balance of good and evil is tipped in the devil’s favor.

     Now for the six positive elements:
(1) The greatest quality of The Omen is Damien. Davey-Fitzpatrick was perfectly cast as the evil little boy and he sent chills down my spine each time he sneered at the screen.
(2) He is almost upstaged by Farrow, who goes from unsettling one moment to downright manic the next.
(3) Fans of the Final Destination films will certainly appreciate the death sequences in The Omen, which, may not be as elaborate as the ones in that franchise but are just as clever and gruesome.
(4) The Omen is not all about gore, though, as there are several startling moments that are guaranteed to have you jump right out of your seat.
(5) The cinematography is also noteworthy, especially a particular pounding camera technique near the end of the movie.
(6) Then there is the cameo by Harvey Stephens, Damien from the 1976 version of The Omen, that is a nice little touch for fans of the original.

     Finally, the six negative elements:
(1) Davey-Fitzpatrick’s expressions may be eerie, but they are also rather comical. He is certain to evoke laugher, especially during his last moment on the screen.
(2) He is not the only funny thing about The Omen, though. There are several more laughs in store for audiences including certain plot points (a jackal!) and some of the acting.
(3) There are several slumps in the flick, too, that focus on the religious backstories. These can get quite boring and make the moviegoer impatient to see Damien.
(4) The Omen also suffers from predictability. The screenplay is pretty much a play-by-play of the original therefore anyone that has seen that won’t be in for any surprises.
(5) Speaking of which, better horror flicks offer more surprises and there are plenty out there. The Omen is the only movie from the horror genre in theatres right now but it is important to note that we’ve seen better this year – namely Hostel, Final Destination 3 and See No Evil.
(6) Then there is the fact that The Omen is basically just a means of making money. There is no doubt in my mind that The Omen would not have been remade if we were not approaching 06/06/06. The principle of it all may bother some folks looking for quality movies made for more than just commerce.

     So there you have it – my ode to all that is 666. This may not be my best written review but if you’ve read this far the marketing ploy of it definitely worked.