pumpkinhead_lance
Joined Jun 2002
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Reviews106
pumpkinhead_lance's rating
The Omen has always been one of my favorite horror films so of course I'm going to be somewhat hesitant on seeing a remake of such.
Secretly though for years I had always fantasized about how I would remake the film and add little touches here and there. Nothing that would improve upon the original but just things I felt would go well with a retelling.
Thankfully this film is pretty much the route I would have gone with. Many people have complained about how it is so much like the original. Personally, I felt even though the story structure and most of the death scenes were alike, it wasn't shot by shot the same film (like the Psycho remake). It went in it's own direction.
I'm glad David Seltzer, writer of the original, came back to spruce up things.
The kid who plays Damien is absolutely fantastic. Cold and emotionless he had an aura about him that certainly felt evil. Liev Schreiber is great as always. By far one of the greatest and most underrated actors today in movies. And I loved the appearances by Pete Postlethwaite, Michael Gambon, and Mia Farrow.
I was bowled over with excitement that Marco Beltrami was on board to score the film. To me he has been the Jerry Goldmsith of the 21st Century and it was only appropriate that he score the remake of a film Goldsmith had scored years ago. He does a great job at doing his own thing and only hints at the themes that were used in the original. It's not a landmark score and of course doesn't surpass the classic original, but it's still a non-conventional, appropriate and effective score.
There are nuances and subliminalities here and there which I appreciated. A key moment I loved was when Stiles is in the bathtub and sees her 'son' watching her. What happens during this scene will really disturb you. The scenes that were best recreated in my opinion were the 'falling over the balcony' scene where Stiles is pushed over by Damien and the cemetery scene where the dogs attack. There was an unexpected moment of humor before the infamous 'nanny hanging' scene where not just everyone is staring but also two Punch and Judy puppets.
It's directed well, atmospheric, and even emotional. It may not be a classic, but no one should have ever expected that. This is one of the remakes that succeeds.
Secretly though for years I had always fantasized about how I would remake the film and add little touches here and there. Nothing that would improve upon the original but just things I felt would go well with a retelling.
Thankfully this film is pretty much the route I would have gone with. Many people have complained about how it is so much like the original. Personally, I felt even though the story structure and most of the death scenes were alike, it wasn't shot by shot the same film (like the Psycho remake). It went in it's own direction.
I'm glad David Seltzer, writer of the original, came back to spruce up things.
The kid who plays Damien is absolutely fantastic. Cold and emotionless he had an aura about him that certainly felt evil. Liev Schreiber is great as always. By far one of the greatest and most underrated actors today in movies. And I loved the appearances by Pete Postlethwaite, Michael Gambon, and Mia Farrow.
I was bowled over with excitement that Marco Beltrami was on board to score the film. To me he has been the Jerry Goldmsith of the 21st Century and it was only appropriate that he score the remake of a film Goldsmith had scored years ago. He does a great job at doing his own thing and only hints at the themes that were used in the original. It's not a landmark score and of course doesn't surpass the classic original, but it's still a non-conventional, appropriate and effective score.
There are nuances and subliminalities here and there which I appreciated. A key moment I loved was when Stiles is in the bathtub and sees her 'son' watching her. What happens during this scene will really disturb you. The scenes that were best recreated in my opinion were the 'falling over the balcony' scene where Stiles is pushed over by Damien and the cemetery scene where the dogs attack. There was an unexpected moment of humor before the infamous 'nanny hanging' scene where not just everyone is staring but also two Punch and Judy puppets.
It's directed well, atmospheric, and even emotional. It may not be a classic, but no one should have ever expected that. This is one of the remakes that succeeds.
The problem with this video cheapie isn't necessarily the concept. Sure the concept is cheesy and all but the film itself should abide by the rules of a good cheesy movie. Instead half of this film focuses on a teenage love triangle in bakery one scary night. It's like watching a soap opera called 'General Bakery'. The biggest plot hole here is that everyone stays inside the friggin bakery and lets a Gingerbread Man chase them around! No one ever thinks to get out or go get help when someone is hurt. Also there is no explanation whatsoever as to who the guy with the black cape was that brought the gingerbread dough to the bakery (I'm supposing it was Darth Vader). Of course it takes a little blood mixed with this dough to make an evil gingerbread man, so it just so happens someone cuts their finger while getting out the dough and viola! Vader knew it would happen.
The first couple of scenes with the Gingerdead Man made me laugh. I think it's funny to see Busey in gingerbread man form. It's just weird. But there isn't enough of him and the good stuff that makes a good cheesy straight to video flick.
The problem with this film is that it isn't fun enough. They tried to be a little too serious at times with the love story and the attempt at humor, especially the one guy acting like a superhero-ninja wannabe, can be particularly painful to watch.
I love Charles Band, his movies in the late 80's and early 90's have and still entertain me greatly, but this stuff coming out lately just ain't what it used to be.
The first couple of scenes with the Gingerdead Man made me laugh. I think it's funny to see Busey in gingerbread man form. It's just weird. But there isn't enough of him and the good stuff that makes a good cheesy straight to video flick.
The problem with this film is that it isn't fun enough. They tried to be a little too serious at times with the love story and the attempt at humor, especially the one guy acting like a superhero-ninja wannabe, can be particularly painful to watch.
I love Charles Band, his movies in the late 80's and early 90's have and still entertain me greatly, but this stuff coming out lately just ain't what it used to be.