THE OMEN TRILOGY
25th Anniversary Edition Box-Set on DVD

THE OMEN
With Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner, Billy Whitelaw
Directed by Richard Donner

My lord the acting can sink to new lows of hamminess! It's embarrassing to watch some of the scenes in this movie. But then suddenly the same person who just did a bad soap stare is good again. I am at odds with myself about this one. You can immediately see that the graveyard is a set. (crap) You can immediately see the decapitation scene took a lot to get it just right. (Very cool!) The scene in the zoo is absolutely satanic. Peck's 'wife' (Lee Remick) is fucking terrible. Whoever told her she can act should be ritually stabbed with Buchenhagen's knives. Little Damien kicks ass and Billie Whitelaw as his babysitter is the best performer of the lot. After all is said the music is absolutely incredible! Director Richard Donner's camera shots are beautiful, with thoughtful yet simple framing.
PS. The woman who hangs herself for Damien is Hollie Palance, daughter of Jack. The special features include the obvious director's commentary and a retrospective featurette incl. interviews with director, composer, editor and writer.

4 / B
- UV


DAMIEN OMEN
With William Holden, Lee Grant
Directed by Don Taylor
The 2nd installment and the best of the lot. Far superior to The Omen in terms of acting, chills and storytelling. The film is not as beautifully shot as Donner's, but what it lacks in the pretty dept. it more than compensates with hectic music and incredible ominous atmosphere. Holden has a very strong screen presence, as usual. Compared to the downbeat Peck he is an acting Ferrari. The crows take the place the Rotweiler filled in the first movie and I daresay they are more freaky than the mutts.
PS. Beware of the elevator scene!

5 / B
- UV


THE FINAL CONFLICT
With Sam Neil, Rossano Brazzi, Don Gordon, Lisa harrow
Directed by Graham Baker

The worst of the trilogy. A terrible, typical 80's devil movie. Even the music sucks in this one. The series should have ended with part 2. Neil is good when he prays to Satan though. Very sensitively played. But in general it's a load of old crap. If you've never seen it, avoid it. It will spoil the brilliance of the 1st two movies forever!

2 / C
- UV