Today I am checking out the 2006 remake of The Omen. I have been on a real Omen kick this year thanks to the release of The First Omen. I have already reviewed the original Omen and Damien: Omen II and I have loved going back and watching them. When this came out, many thought that it was an unnecessary sequel. However, I really enjoyed this and I have always liked it just a tad more than the original, which I am very well aware I am in the minority that has this opinion.
How to Download The Omen (2006)
The Omen was released on June 6, 2006. You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
Why the Casting Shines in The Omen Remake
I think a huge part of the reason why I love The Omen remake so much is the casting. The movie stars Liev Schrieber and Julia Styles as Robert and Katherine Thorne. We have a fantastic supporting cast with the likes of Mia Farrow who is awesome and so freaking creepy. Plus, Michael Gambon, David Thewlis, and playing the role of Damien is young Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick and this was actually his first role.
The Chilling Start of The Omen (2006)
The movie starts in Italy and Robert Thorne is an American diplomat. Robert’s wife is pregnant, but the baby is stillborn. Father Spiletto comes to Robert with a child who has also just been born and orphaned and he suggests that Robert adopt the child. The thing here is that Katherine is out cold when this is going down so she has no idea, but they, of course, call the child Damien.
A Modern Take on The Omen’s Classic Story
The movie time jumps five years into the future and the Thornes are living in London. Robert has seen his career skyrocket, but there are many strange occurrences that are happening around the family. The stuff with Katherine starting to lose her mind as she realizes that something is not right with Damien is so well done, Julia Styles really is a great actress and she does a phenomenal job here.
Exploring the Legacy of The Omen
Look, you probably know the deal already! All is revealed about who Damien really is, and as Robert comes to terms with this and what he has to do, things start to ramp up and even more bad stuff starts to happen. At the end of the day, The Omen remake plays things very safe and it is pretty much the same movie that we got over 30 years prior.
Should You Watch The Omen (2006)?
If you love that original Omen movie, I can fully understand why this seems like such a pointless remake. I get why some people think that if you remake a movie, you need to make it different. However, I sometimes think that when a remake changes to many things, once again, I will reference the awful Total Recall remake, it makes you wonder why it is called the same name.
I have always really enjoyed The Omen remake and I know I am in the minority, but I would watch this over the original if I were given a choice. Hey, I still love the original, but I prefer the more modern style that this has. I think that Gregory Peck and Lee Remick do a great job as Robert and Katherine Throne, but I prefer Liev Schrieber and Julia Styles. However, I would not argue with anyone who says that they prefer the cast in the original.
Final Thoughts on The Omen Remake and Franchise
The Omen series is pretty sold, well the first two are, The First Omen is and so is this remake, the others… not so much. However, while I think that the remake is my favorite, those four movies I mentioned are all very similar in their quality so ranking them is tricky. If you have not seen this one in a while or have been put off due to the mixed reception, I suggest that you give it a try as it really is a solid horror movie.
