"She pollutes the air with her craziness", gotta love that line near the film's beginning. Damien:Omen II is an ambitious and entertaining sequel to the classic Omen. This film is an almost perfect stepping stone in the Omen trilogy, focusing on Damien Thorn becoming a teenager. The film obviously lacks the fresh originality of the first film but it still deserves credit for maintaining a sense of dread and menace when somebody crosses the young Damien Thorn. The death scenes are both chilling and creative and the film's trademark score is brilliant. As far as sequels go, Omen II is a solid effort, leading the pathway clearly open for the third chapter. In terms of comparison Omen II doesn't surpass the original but if you enjoyed the Omen then Damien:Omen II shouldn't disappoint.
196 Reviews
Nowhere near as good as the original but surprisingly entertaining
Superunknovvn30 March 2008
I'm an avid fan of the original "Omen". I think it was everything that "The Exorcist" is made out to be by fans and critics all over the world: thrilling, intriguing and incredibly creepy. With it's apocalyptic open ending a second part could only take away from the original's ending.
The truth is, "Damien: Omen II" is by no means as bad as it could have been. Sure, the excitement and the perfect structure of the original aren't there. Basically, this plays out like an early ancestor of the "Final Destination"-franchise. Characters become aware of who Damien is and from this point on we know they're doomed and anticipate their gruesome death. Most of all the movie is muddled with bad character development. Lance Henriksen's character, for instance, is never elaborated on. It doesn't make him any more mysterious, it just feels incomplete.
A good portion of the movie is spent with nothing much going on except for a few people dying around Damien while he just keeps on living a completely normal life unaware of who he his. Then, all of a sudden everything happens way too quickly. Damien finds out about his destiny and immediately accepts it. The same goes for his father, who is infuriated at first when someone suggests that his son might be Satan's spawn, only to accept that fact shortly afterwards. The final climax and ending arrive just as quickly leaving you wondering why the whole thing was so unbalanced.
Still, as long as it's running "Damien: Omen II" doesn't fail to entertain. Like every "Omen"-movie up to and including "The Final Conflict" this one has this nice 70's UK-flair that you can get lost in for a few hours on homey evenings in front of the television. It may not be enough to make the series go down in history as one of the best, but these movies are all very watchable in one sitting, making this one of the most coherent franchises of the horror genre.
The truth is, "Damien: Omen II" is by no means as bad as it could have been. Sure, the excitement and the perfect structure of the original aren't there. Basically, this plays out like an early ancestor of the "Final Destination"-franchise. Characters become aware of who Damien is and from this point on we know they're doomed and anticipate their gruesome death. Most of all the movie is muddled with bad character development. Lance Henriksen's character, for instance, is never elaborated on. It doesn't make him any more mysterious, it just feels incomplete.
A good portion of the movie is spent with nothing much going on except for a few people dying around Damien while he just keeps on living a completely normal life unaware of who he his. Then, all of a sudden everything happens way too quickly. Damien finds out about his destiny and immediately accepts it. The same goes for his father, who is infuriated at first when someone suggests that his son might be Satan's spawn, only to accept that fact shortly afterwards. The final climax and ending arrive just as quickly leaving you wondering why the whole thing was so unbalanced.
Still, as long as it's running "Damien: Omen II" doesn't fail to entertain. Like every "Omen"-movie up to and including "The Final Conflict" this one has this nice 70's UK-flair that you can get lost in for a few hours on homey evenings in front of the television. It may not be enough to make the series go down in history as one of the best, but these movies are all very watchable in one sitting, making this one of the most coherent franchises of the horror genre.
Worth watching
Sober-Friend23 March 2017
"Damien Omen II" should of been in reality the third film in the "Omen Series". The producers for some reason decided to age up Damien which proved problematic for this film.
David Seltzer, who wrote the first film's screenplay, was asked by the producers to write the second. Seltzer refused as he had no interest in writing sequels. Years later, Seltzer commented that had he written the story for the second Omen, he would have set it the day after the first movie, with Damien a child living in The White House. With Seltzer turning down Omen II, producer Harvey Bernhard duly outlined the story himself, and Stanley Mann was hired to write the screenplay.
This film is a little slow. The original director (Mike Hodge) was replaced. Now how much material that he shot that ended up in the final film is unknown to me.
This film main problem is that there is almost no element of surprise discovery for the audience. The death scenes however are still effective (Even to this day) and it does scare you but not as much as the original did.
The film is worth watching because the film is has Adult Actors that know how to act.
David Seltzer, who wrote the first film's screenplay, was asked by the producers to write the second. Seltzer refused as he had no interest in writing sequels. Years later, Seltzer commented that had he written the story for the second Omen, he would have set it the day after the first movie, with Damien a child living in The White House. With Seltzer turning down Omen II, producer Harvey Bernhard duly outlined the story himself, and Stanley Mann was hired to write the screenplay.
This film is a little slow. The original director (Mike Hodge) was replaced. Now how much material that he shot that ended up in the final film is unknown to me.
This film main problem is that there is almost no element of surprise discovery for the audience. The death scenes however are still effective (Even to this day) and it does scare you but not as much as the original did.
The film is worth watching because the film is has Adult Actors that know how to act.
A must to see for anyone who liked THE OMEN.
Christiancrouse10 November 2001
This sequel to THE OMEN is a "fun" film. It continues the story of the anti-Christ Damien into his teenage years and his years in military school. Now adopted into the family of his father's brother, an unsuspecting Damien is unwittingly at the centre of a plot to bring Satan's son to the threshold of power. Everyone around him is at risk as the secret of Damien's birth is under threat of exposure by forces emerging from around the world - and at the root of this threat are the mad depictions painted on an ancient wall that reveal the very face of evil.
Jonathon Scott-Taylor gives a commanding and creepy performance as the ultimate misfit son. Looking particularly significant in his military outfit, Scott-Taylor captures - as much as the script allows him - the torment of self-discovery as the truth of his existence is revealed to him. The script could have demanded more from such a fascinating scenario, and tried to make Damien more of a Miltonic Satanic Hero, but the film chooses to go for as much shock value whenever it can. Mysterious and violent accidents - linked by the ever-present shadow of a raven of death - dominate this movie from beginning to end. The scene involving an ill-fated lady on a deserted country road is one of its most grotesque. As death and destruction mount, Damien goes from self-possessed orphan to self-recognized supreme power in the span of two hours.
William Holden and Lee Grant play Damien's surrogate parents, Richard and Ann Thorn. They are not really allowed to display their incredible talents in this film, but Holden does fine trying to duplicate Peck's memorable performance in the original. Grant does what she can with this supporting role, but has a great moment in the film that proves worthy to wait for. The always wonderful Sylvia Sidney makes a memorable appearance as one of Damien's greatest "thorns" - the troublemaking menace Aunt Marion. And the ending is a bit of a shock if you watch the film closely, particularly if you listen to the exposition early on in the film about "The Whore of Babylon."
Another highlight is Jerry Goldsmith's title score - empowering, commanding and downright evil, the opening score is one of my favorites.
Although not as creepy as the first film, DAMIEN: OMEN II has its moments, and is worth seeing for anyone who likes to have a fun time with all this biblical stuff.
Jonathon Scott-Taylor gives a commanding and creepy performance as the ultimate misfit son. Looking particularly significant in his military outfit, Scott-Taylor captures - as much as the script allows him - the torment of self-discovery as the truth of his existence is revealed to him. The script could have demanded more from such a fascinating scenario, and tried to make Damien more of a Miltonic Satanic Hero, but the film chooses to go for as much shock value whenever it can. Mysterious and violent accidents - linked by the ever-present shadow of a raven of death - dominate this movie from beginning to end. The scene involving an ill-fated lady on a deserted country road is one of its most grotesque. As death and destruction mount, Damien goes from self-possessed orphan to self-recognized supreme power in the span of two hours.
William Holden and Lee Grant play Damien's surrogate parents, Richard and Ann Thorn. They are not really allowed to display their incredible talents in this film, but Holden does fine trying to duplicate Peck's memorable performance in the original. Grant does what she can with this supporting role, but has a great moment in the film that proves worthy to wait for. The always wonderful Sylvia Sidney makes a memorable appearance as one of Damien's greatest "thorns" - the troublemaking menace Aunt Marion. And the ending is a bit of a shock if you watch the film closely, particularly if you listen to the exposition early on in the film about "The Whore of Babylon."
Another highlight is Jerry Goldsmith's title score - empowering, commanding and downright evil, the opening score is one of my favorites.
Although not as creepy as the first film, DAMIEN: OMEN II has its moments, and is worth seeing for anyone who likes to have a fun time with all this biblical stuff.
A good sequel
Smells_Like_Cheese14 March 2006
Well, it wasn't great, but I have to admit that the second Omen was pretty good and in some ways just necessary. Necessary, I mean because this story is of course not finished. Before seeing "The Hills have Eyes" on Friday night, they had trailers, and one was *shudder* a remake to the Omen. Another one, another remake! Oh, well, this just isn't going to stop. So, anyways, I saw The Omen last year and figured I should finish the trilogy. I am curious and frankly, a bit creeped out that the new Omen is being released on 06-06-2006, "666", get it?
The story itself is pretty good actually, now that Damien has been under the care of his aunt and uncle, strange things are happening again. It seems like anyone who is getting to close to finding out the truth about Damien is getting killed in some freak accident. This is a very good sequel that should be given a second chance.
6/10
The story itself is pretty good actually, now that Damien has been under the care of his aunt and uncle, strange things are happening again. It seems like anyone who is getting to close to finding out the truth about Damien is getting killed in some freak accident. This is a very good sequel that should be given a second chance.
6/10
Damien hits puberty.
kneel22 November 1998
If you liked the first installment, you probably will like Damien-Omen II. It still has the creepiness involved in the first movie and the theme of good vs. evil. But like the first Omen movie, it is quite predictable. Some of the kill scenes are good though, especially the elevator scene.
Take a shot and rent this one. Just don't expect to see a classic.
Take a shot and rent this one. Just don't expect to see a classic.
An enjoyable sequel
veryape-887-91390519 January 2014
Damien:Omen 2 is a very enjoyable sequel to The Omen in my opinion the first is better but i did enjoy this also. This film was released in 1978 2 years after the first and it tells the story of Damien the Anti-Christ who is now age 12 he is starting to understand his duty in the line of Satan whilst a strange crow eliminates any people who know his real identity and are seen enemies in the eyes of Satan. This film is not the best in the Omen series but it is a very watchable film, it isn't a film that will bore you to death and it isn't a film that will keep you on the end of your seat for 100 minutes but i do recommend it to the people who are interested in these films it is a clever entry in the omen franchise
***/*****
***/*****
It commits the sin of boredom
Jimmy-4224 February 1999
I didn't mind the first Omen picture. Despite the flaws in internal logic, (why is it that Satan can only kill the people who spill their guts about Damien after they've blabbed?). It's also worth watching Billie Whitelaw and Gregory Peck in damn near anything.
Damien: Omen II is a terrible drag by contrast. Every five minutes someone finds out that Damien is the Anti-Christ, then dies in some messy way. It takes William Holden's character an incredible amount of time to notice the corpses piling up around the teen ager, (during which we have to go through the irritating I'm Trying to Convince You scenes that are standard issue in these kinds of movies. They always end with something like, "If you don't do something, I will." The character uttering this line has to die, of course). By the time he gets religion it is so obviously too late that the ending is a fait accompli.
It would have been more interesting if they'd stuck to something the script gestured towards for a second. Damien finds out he's the Anti-Christ and that he's destined to do all sorts of horrible things and he runs screaming, terrified of what prophecy demands he become. It would have been an ironic twist if Damien were a good person who discovered that it was his ultimate, irresistible fate to be evil. That conflict could have had real drama and a meaning beyond the slaughter.
Instead, Damien went and committed the worst movie sin; the sin of boredom.
Damien: Omen II is a terrible drag by contrast. Every five minutes someone finds out that Damien is the Anti-Christ, then dies in some messy way. It takes William Holden's character an incredible amount of time to notice the corpses piling up around the teen ager, (during which we have to go through the irritating I'm Trying to Convince You scenes that are standard issue in these kinds of movies. They always end with something like, "If you don't do something, I will." The character uttering this line has to die, of course). By the time he gets religion it is so obviously too late that the ending is a fait accompli.
It would have been more interesting if they'd stuck to something the script gestured towards for a second. Damien finds out he's the Anti-Christ and that he's destined to do all sorts of horrible things and he runs screaming, terrified of what prophecy demands he become. It would have been an ironic twist if Damien were a good person who discovered that it was his ultimate, irresistible fate to be evil. That conflict could have had real drama and a meaning beyond the slaughter.
Instead, Damien went and committed the worst movie sin; the sin of boredom.
A very good continuation of the Omen story
Red-Barracuda30 January 2014
This entertaining movie is a pretty good example of big budget mainstream horror. It is, of course, a sequel to The Omen; a film that had tapped into the 70's thirst for religious themed horror and had went on to be a big smash hit. Damien: Omen II, perhaps unsurprisingly, doesn't have the originality of that first film but it maintains the story very well in my opinion. It's the one film in the franchise where the action has moved from the UK to the USA. It focuses on the now 13 year old antichrist Damien Thorn, who is being schooled in a military academy. It's also the part where he becomes aware of who he really is.
In many ways its story arc follows quite close to the original template but with the addition of more frequent, inventive and gory death scenes involving the poor unfortunates who get too close to the truth. In effect, this movie plays out like a series of elaborate set-pieces strung together over a fairly basic plot-line. This isn't such a terrible thing though because these macabre moments are all really executed very well. In particular are three notable death sequences – on a deserted road a woman is attacked by a raven who pecks her eyes out, she is then finished off by being hit full force by a truck; a man is cut in half by a falling elevator cable; during a game of hockey on a frozen lake, the ice breaks and a man falls under resulting in the disturbing scenario where we see him helplessly floating just below the ice. These set-pieces, along with several others, constitute the highlight of the movie and they are all well-conceived and give the film its definite draw. Because the film is neither a beginning, nor an end to the story it allows this instalment to simply focus its attention on the macabre material in between and it's really not a bad thing.
There are other interesting changes though, such as the use of the raven as the creature of the devil, I thought it was a better choice than the Rottweiler from the first movie and it was very well integrated into the story. The acting too is more than decent with the likes of William Holden basically taking on the role Gregory Peck filled in the first movie, while Jonathan Scott-Taylor looks right as Damien, his thin features can look cold and ominous but he is never cartoonishly evil, which was a good thing. He has one particularly memorable and original scene too where he knows the answer to every single question his history teacher throws at him. It's one of the less gruesome more subtly sinister moments that really stands out. Some things remain the same though and once again there is a really good score from Jerry Goldsmith. It's very dramatic with that ominous choir sound that is just perfect for this subject matter.
In many ways its story arc follows quite close to the original template but with the addition of more frequent, inventive and gory death scenes involving the poor unfortunates who get too close to the truth. In effect, this movie plays out like a series of elaborate set-pieces strung together over a fairly basic plot-line. This isn't such a terrible thing though because these macabre moments are all really executed very well. In particular are three notable death sequences – on a deserted road a woman is attacked by a raven who pecks her eyes out, she is then finished off by being hit full force by a truck; a man is cut in half by a falling elevator cable; during a game of hockey on a frozen lake, the ice breaks and a man falls under resulting in the disturbing scenario where we see him helplessly floating just below the ice. These set-pieces, along with several others, constitute the highlight of the movie and they are all well-conceived and give the film its definite draw. Because the film is neither a beginning, nor an end to the story it allows this instalment to simply focus its attention on the macabre material in between and it's really not a bad thing.
There are other interesting changes though, such as the use of the raven as the creature of the devil, I thought it was a better choice than the Rottweiler from the first movie and it was very well integrated into the story. The acting too is more than decent with the likes of William Holden basically taking on the role Gregory Peck filled in the first movie, while Jonathan Scott-Taylor looks right as Damien, his thin features can look cold and ominous but he is never cartoonishly evil, which was a good thing. He has one particularly memorable and original scene too where he knows the answer to every single question his history teacher throws at him. It's one of the less gruesome more subtly sinister moments that really stands out. Some things remain the same though and once again there is a really good score from Jerry Goldsmith. It's very dramatic with that ominous choir sound that is just perfect for this subject matter.
I actually prefer this one...
BandSAboutMovies3 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
David Seltzer was asked to write this movie but refused, as he didn't believe in sequels. Producer Harvey Bernhard outlined the story himself and Stanley Mann was hired to write the screenplay. Mike Hodges - Flash Gordon's director! - started the film but was replaced with Don Taylor (The Final Countdown). It was decided that the music of Jerry Goldsmith was the one thing that could not change.
A week after Robert and Katherine Thorn are buried, an archaeologist tries to convince a colleague that Damien Thorn is the Antichrist and he wants to get the means to kill him to his new family. Taking the unbelieving man to a series of ruins that has Damien's face on several murals, the two are soon buried alive and killed.
Fast-forward seven years and Damien is living in Chicago with his uncle Richard Thorn (William Holden, who passed on the first film because he didn't want to be in a movie about the devil) and his wife Ann (Lee Grant). He gets along with his cousin Mark, his classmate in a military school. Basically, Damian's life is awesome, except that his aunt Marion hates him. Well, the night after she makes that known, a raven shows up and she's dead.
In this movie, if you see a raven*, someone is about to die horribly. Where the first film had some aspirations to art, this film has aspirations to being a supernatural slasher of sorts. And I am more than fine with that.
There are people who fall under the ice and drown, reporters whose eyes are pecked out before they're run over by a truck, an entire class gets gassed, trains impaling folks and so much more outright decimation of human beings. This is a movie unafraid to wipe out every single person in its cast in abject glee.
I mean, when they analyze the bone marrow and blood of Damian, they figure out that he has jackal DNA. That's the type of plot twist that I demand that more movies pull on me. The fact that it's Meshach Taylor and that he's soon torn in half makes it even better.
*In the novelization of the film, the raven is actually Damien's subconscious and the murders that it carries out come from Damien's id.
A week after Robert and Katherine Thorn are buried, an archaeologist tries to convince a colleague that Damien Thorn is the Antichrist and he wants to get the means to kill him to his new family. Taking the unbelieving man to a series of ruins that has Damien's face on several murals, the two are soon buried alive and killed.
Fast-forward seven years and Damien is living in Chicago with his uncle Richard Thorn (William Holden, who passed on the first film because he didn't want to be in a movie about the devil) and his wife Ann (Lee Grant). He gets along with his cousin Mark, his classmate in a military school. Basically, Damian's life is awesome, except that his aunt Marion hates him. Well, the night after she makes that known, a raven shows up and she's dead.
In this movie, if you see a raven*, someone is about to die horribly. Where the first film had some aspirations to art, this film has aspirations to being a supernatural slasher of sorts. And I am more than fine with that.
There are people who fall under the ice and drown, reporters whose eyes are pecked out before they're run over by a truck, an entire class gets gassed, trains impaling folks and so much more outright decimation of human beings. This is a movie unafraid to wipe out every single person in its cast in abject glee.
I mean, when they analyze the bone marrow and blood of Damian, they figure out that he has jackal DNA. That's the type of plot twist that I demand that more movies pull on me. The fact that it's Meshach Taylor and that he's soon torn in half makes it even better.
*In the novelization of the film, the raven is actually Damien's subconscious and the murders that it carries out come from Damien's id.
Thorne In My Side
modernmonstersdotnet21 September 2016
After a popular The Omen featured a spooky child and some memorable death scenes, including the possibly best decapitation ever filmed, a captivated audience wanted to know what kind of a teenager Damien, now an orphan, would become. The answer was not the one they expected: the Devil's son had become KD Lang. With Dumbo ears.
The beginning, a cartoonish jeep ride hysterically scored by a Jerry Goldsmith searching for the face of Jesus and manically played by an Ernest Hemingway wannabe, sets the tone for the rest of the movie. A priceless statue of the Whore of Babylon is discovered in some architectural digging site, along with a fresco depicting Damien, conveniently painted at the age he is now. The archaeologists are promptly dispatched and we can meet the Beast.
Damien (KD Lang), now living in his uncle's (William Holden) estate, is quite the rascal, and a douche. Aunt Marion (Sylvia Sidney) dislikes him and wants him separated from his cousin Mike. This causes a feud at the diner table, after which it's time for The Super Duper Whore of Babylon Slide Show, during which the evil eye of a raven stops Aunt Marion's heart in her upstairs room.
Uncle Richard is president of Thorne Industries, a vague yet powerful conglomerate which apparently owns an agricultural compound in New York City. The firm's new executive director wants to rule the world through seeds, which confirms than Monsanto IS the devil. This is established after another ridiculous ride, this one on a golf cart. So we have the demon, we have seed, let's spawn!
Enter Joan Hart (Elizabeth Shepherd), in flamboyant scarlet red, and one gasps. The "young woman" announced during the slide show must be well in her forties. She's a good looking lady, but calling her a "young woman" is pushing the envelope a bit, underlining how geriatric the cast mostly is. The lady in red cranks hysteria up to 11 as soon as she appears, yelling "You are in danger!" to Uncle Richard. But she is unable to be more specific. She goes to Damien's football practice (hey, why not?), recognizes the face of Evil and flies to her prompt demise, a ludicrous raven attack during which Jerry Goldsmith, all barrels blazing, manages to over-score himself.
One would thinks that after such a blast we would all have a moment. No such luck. Let's go jet-ski and have a snowball fight turned epic battle by Jerry in a trance! This is Damien's birthday, see, and no expense has been spared. There is the most hideous cake ever, a Polaroid with flash and even a firework which everyone watches in awe, sporting brightly coloured Aran sweaters. "Suspicion of destiny. We all have them", sagaciously observes one of the evil guys. The Thorne residence is full of random woodwork, delirious curtain arrangements and atrocious antiques. The most hideous family room ever doubles as a movie theater.
People on the East Coast do love their sports; it's now time for an ice hockey match on the estate's frozen lake. Another good guy, who is clearly too old for this kind of activity, drowns when the ice breaks. Uncle Richard is devastated, his very bright yellow cap somehow undermining his grief.
Back to military school, Damien is even more a douche then before. His sargeant (Lance Henriksen, always a good sign), wisely advise him to read the Book of Revelations to understand who he is. True to its name, the read, a bit like a user manual, allows Damien to locate the exact spot where the number of the Beast is tattooed on the skin of his skull. Accompanied by the 666 horns of The Goldsmith Fanfare, Damien runs through the woods, to the end of a pontoon where he screams "WHY ME???" to the dark heaven. Oh God. Why, indeed?
A school visit is ludicrously set to take place during a very delicate checking process at the Thorne plant, now a chemical facility. Toxic compounds are released, killing another good guy. Damien has not been affected by the leak and a doctor runs some tests to understand why. His lab is for some reason full of bubbling red alembics you would expect in a witch lair, but not in a modern research facility.
After discovering Damien has jackal blood (what, not hooves?), the good doctor is offed in an attempt to equal the surprise decapitation of the first movie. No raven this time, only the filmed evidence that the butter- cutting wire is a demonic invention.
Uncle Richard starts having his doubts about Damien. Well, it only took him five violent deaths in his immediate entourage to get there. He nevertheless remains in denial when the curator of the Met brings him a letter of Revelations and a box. What's in the box? What's in the box? WHAT'S IN THE BOX?!?!? The Megiddo daggers, the only weapons able to destroy Damien. These, as the Whore of Babylon statue, will remain loose ends.
Cousin Mike (remember him?) is troubled. He follows Damien out in the snow, where he has his head telepathically crushed. A huge funeral ensues, with mountains of flowers, a motorcade and more Goldsmith that it is humanly possible to endure.
The Met curator is killed by nothing less than a locomotive, in true Final Destination fashion. A incongruous boogie-woogie cotillion happens for Graduation Day. Uncle Richard unsuccessfully attempts to kill Damien and is shot by his wife, screaming "DAAAAAAMIEEEEEN!"
Should one mentions that the end credits roll on a bombastic "Ave Satani Versus Jesus" choir? Jerry, calm down. There is still one movie to be scored. There is no card indicating how many horn players were harmed during the recording of the soundtrack.
The beginning, a cartoonish jeep ride hysterically scored by a Jerry Goldsmith searching for the face of Jesus and manically played by an Ernest Hemingway wannabe, sets the tone for the rest of the movie. A priceless statue of the Whore of Babylon is discovered in some architectural digging site, along with a fresco depicting Damien, conveniently painted at the age he is now. The archaeologists are promptly dispatched and we can meet the Beast.
Damien (KD Lang), now living in his uncle's (William Holden) estate, is quite the rascal, and a douche. Aunt Marion (Sylvia Sidney) dislikes him and wants him separated from his cousin Mike. This causes a feud at the diner table, after which it's time for The Super Duper Whore of Babylon Slide Show, during which the evil eye of a raven stops Aunt Marion's heart in her upstairs room.
Uncle Richard is president of Thorne Industries, a vague yet powerful conglomerate which apparently owns an agricultural compound in New York City. The firm's new executive director wants to rule the world through seeds, which confirms than Monsanto IS the devil. This is established after another ridiculous ride, this one on a golf cart. So we have the demon, we have seed, let's spawn!
Enter Joan Hart (Elizabeth Shepherd), in flamboyant scarlet red, and one gasps. The "young woman" announced during the slide show must be well in her forties. She's a good looking lady, but calling her a "young woman" is pushing the envelope a bit, underlining how geriatric the cast mostly is. The lady in red cranks hysteria up to 11 as soon as she appears, yelling "You are in danger!" to Uncle Richard. But she is unable to be more specific. She goes to Damien's football practice (hey, why not?), recognizes the face of Evil and flies to her prompt demise, a ludicrous raven attack during which Jerry Goldsmith, all barrels blazing, manages to over-score himself.
One would thinks that after such a blast we would all have a moment. No such luck. Let's go jet-ski and have a snowball fight turned epic battle by Jerry in a trance! This is Damien's birthday, see, and no expense has been spared. There is the most hideous cake ever, a Polaroid with flash and even a firework which everyone watches in awe, sporting brightly coloured Aran sweaters. "Suspicion of destiny. We all have them", sagaciously observes one of the evil guys. The Thorne residence is full of random woodwork, delirious curtain arrangements and atrocious antiques. The most hideous family room ever doubles as a movie theater.
People on the East Coast do love their sports; it's now time for an ice hockey match on the estate's frozen lake. Another good guy, who is clearly too old for this kind of activity, drowns when the ice breaks. Uncle Richard is devastated, his very bright yellow cap somehow undermining his grief.
Back to military school, Damien is even more a douche then before. His sargeant (Lance Henriksen, always a good sign), wisely advise him to read the Book of Revelations to understand who he is. True to its name, the read, a bit like a user manual, allows Damien to locate the exact spot where the number of the Beast is tattooed on the skin of his skull. Accompanied by the 666 horns of The Goldsmith Fanfare, Damien runs through the woods, to the end of a pontoon where he screams "WHY ME???" to the dark heaven. Oh God. Why, indeed?
A school visit is ludicrously set to take place during a very delicate checking process at the Thorne plant, now a chemical facility. Toxic compounds are released, killing another good guy. Damien has not been affected by the leak and a doctor runs some tests to understand why. His lab is for some reason full of bubbling red alembics you would expect in a witch lair, but not in a modern research facility.
After discovering Damien has jackal blood (what, not hooves?), the good doctor is offed in an attempt to equal the surprise decapitation of the first movie. No raven this time, only the filmed evidence that the butter- cutting wire is a demonic invention.
Uncle Richard starts having his doubts about Damien. Well, it only took him five violent deaths in his immediate entourage to get there. He nevertheless remains in denial when the curator of the Met brings him a letter of Revelations and a box. What's in the box? What's in the box? WHAT'S IN THE BOX?!?!? The Megiddo daggers, the only weapons able to destroy Damien. These, as the Whore of Babylon statue, will remain loose ends.
Cousin Mike (remember him?) is troubled. He follows Damien out in the snow, where he has his head telepathically crushed. A huge funeral ensues, with mountains of flowers, a motorcade and more Goldsmith that it is humanly possible to endure.
The Met curator is killed by nothing less than a locomotive, in true Final Destination fashion. A incongruous boogie-woogie cotillion happens for Graduation Day. Uncle Richard unsuccessfully attempts to kill Damien and is shot by his wife, screaming "DAAAAAAMIEEEEEN!"
Should one mentions that the end credits roll on a bombastic "Ave Satani Versus Jesus" choir? Jerry, calm down. There is still one movie to be scored. There is no card indicating how many horn players were harmed during the recording of the soundtrack.
An strong sequel is well acted and a few surprises.
hu6751 March 2007
Seven years later... Damien (Jonathan Scott-Taylor) is 12 years old is now living with his uncle Richard Thorn (William Holden), his wife (Lee Grant) and their son (Lucas Donat). When Damien has discover his high I.Q. and his origins. Damien is now using his evil power to get himself everything he needs to be powerful. He using his demonic powers, which he kills those people who anger him or in his way.
Directed by Don Taylor (Escape from the Planet of the Apes, The Final Countdown, The Island of Dr. Moreau "1977") made an entertaining sequel to the original but less effective. Probably the most memorable moments in the sequel is the creative death sequences. The film had problems during filming, since Mike Hodges (Croupier, Flash Gordon, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead) was the original director of the second film. Which he was fired during production for taking too much time with set-up shots and creative differences. Although some of Hodges' scenes were kept in the final cut.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an good-Dolby 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD has an interesting commentary track by the producer:Harvey Bernhard (The Beast Within, The Goonies, The Lost Boys) and moderated by DVD producer:J.M. Kenny. DVD also the original theatrical trailers and trailer for the first and third film. Although despite certain flaws, the second film is certainly well acted and it has another great score by the late Oscar-Winner:Jerry Goldsmith (Alien, Explorers, Total Recall). Screenplay by Stanley Mann (Conan The Destroyer, The Collector, Firestarter) and the original director:Hodges. Panavision. (****/*****).
Directed by Don Taylor (Escape from the Planet of the Apes, The Final Countdown, The Island of Dr. Moreau "1977") made an entertaining sequel to the original but less effective. Probably the most memorable moments in the sequel is the creative death sequences. The film had problems during filming, since Mike Hodges (Croupier, Flash Gordon, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead) was the original director of the second film. Which he was fired during production for taking too much time with set-up shots and creative differences. Although some of Hodges' scenes were kept in the final cut.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an good-Dolby 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD has an interesting commentary track by the producer:Harvey Bernhard (The Beast Within, The Goonies, The Lost Boys) and moderated by DVD producer:J.M. Kenny. DVD also the original theatrical trailers and trailer for the first and third film. Although despite certain flaws, the second film is certainly well acted and it has another great score by the late Oscar-Winner:Jerry Goldsmith (Alien, Explorers, Total Recall). Screenplay by Stanley Mann (Conan The Destroyer, The Collector, Firestarter) and the original director:Hodges. Panavision. (****/*****).
Surprisingly Superb Sequel
Mr_Censored14 June 2010
That lovable little rapscallion from "The Omen" has returned to raise more Hell in "Damien: Omen II". No longer a toddler, Damien is closing in on his 13th birthday. While most pre-teens must cope with puberty and the confusion that accompanies it, Damien (portrayed by Jonathan Scott-Taylor) is more pre-occupied with his destiny, which is that of the son of the Satan, The Anti-Christ. He is now living with his Uncle and attends a military academy where he is quick to put his peers in his place and is encouraged by a sketchy teacher (the one and only Lance Henriksen!) who encourages him to read a passage in the Bible that tells him all he needs to know about himself. If only every teenager were given such guidance!
The film faced an uphill battle when its original director, Mike Hodges, was swapped out for Don Taylor, but thankfully, the end results aren't as compromised as one would expect. On the contrary, "Damien: The Omen II" is a rather solid companion piece to the Richard Donner original, with death scenes that are every bit as ground-breaking for their time and still shocking today (all about the crow pecking out the eyeballs) and a great cast that includes William Holden, Lee Grant and Elizabeth Shepard. Scott-Taylor seems born to have played Damien, managing the dynamics of being a sympathetic character turned a bone-chilling menace quite effectively. The film may rush a bit to its ending, which is perhaps its only flaw, but on the whole, it's a worthy follow-up that is almost every bit as mean and memorable as its predecessor.
The film faced an uphill battle when its original director, Mike Hodges, was swapped out for Don Taylor, but thankfully, the end results aren't as compromised as one would expect. On the contrary, "Damien: The Omen II" is a rather solid companion piece to the Richard Donner original, with death scenes that are every bit as ground-breaking for their time and still shocking today (all about the crow pecking out the eyeballs) and a great cast that includes William Holden, Lee Grant and Elizabeth Shepard. Scott-Taylor seems born to have played Damien, managing the dynamics of being a sympathetic character turned a bone-chilling menace quite effectively. The film may rush a bit to its ending, which is perhaps its only flaw, but on the whole, it's a worthy follow-up that is almost every bit as mean and memorable as its predecessor.
Terrible sequel to a good movie (may contain spoilers)
lthseldy16 November 2001
Warning: Spoilers
This movie was bad. This movie takes off where "The Omen" left off. Damien is now an orphan and he is now living with his aunt and uncle and cousin and is attending a military school. There are still strange things that happen as Damien passes by but not as creepy. The stupidest parts of the film was in the military school during an argument between Damien and another schoolmate. As well as Damien getting back at whoever gets in his way as he learns more and more of his powers. After awhile, Damien acts more like a spoiled child with a temper tantrum that The Antichrist. I found this film to be long and boring and nothing like the original.
A Strong Sequel, No Doubt
gavin694212 December 2010
Damien Thorn (Jonathan Scott-Taylor) is now a teenager, but does not know he is evil. What will he do when he finds out who he is? Can he accept it, can he reject it? William Holden brings the star power that Gregory Peck brought to the first one, just as the crow has now replaced the rottweiler. The film is full of analogues. Oh, and even Lance Henriksen shows up! And we cannot overlook the glorious music of Jerry Goldsmith.
This was supposed to be developed with producer Harvey Bernhard's best friend Richard Donner, but he ended up getting "Superman" around this time Some of the beauty of the film is that the beginning was shot in an actual castle from the Crusades with an actual escape tunnel. Other scenes were filmed in Wisconsin (Eagle River, Lake Geneva, Delafield) and Illinois (Lake Forest, Chicago). When filming in Eagle River, they stayed at the home of a teamster who was murdered about three months later for his involvement with Jimmy Hoffa.
The scene under the ice was completely real: the man was really under the ice and had to swim for thirty or forty feet. Incredible, but true.
producer and story writer Harvey Bernhard's commentary tells about the film's creation, and chronicles his dislike of the film's original director, Mike Hodges, and his preference for Don Taylor, the man who took over. Bernhard also believes it is not possible to believe in God but not the devil... his reasoning is questionable.
This was supposed to be developed with producer Harvey Bernhard's best friend Richard Donner, but he ended up getting "Superman" around this time Some of the beauty of the film is that the beginning was shot in an actual castle from the Crusades with an actual escape tunnel. Other scenes were filmed in Wisconsin (Eagle River, Lake Geneva, Delafield) and Illinois (Lake Forest, Chicago). When filming in Eagle River, they stayed at the home of a teamster who was murdered about three months later for his involvement with Jimmy Hoffa.
The scene under the ice was completely real: the man was really under the ice and had to swim for thirty or forty feet. Incredible, but true.
producer and story writer Harvey Bernhard's commentary tells about the film's creation, and chronicles his dislike of the film's original director, Mike Hodges, and his preference for Don Taylor, the man who took over. Bernhard also believes it is not possible to believe in God but not the devil... his reasoning is questionable.
A worthy sequel
shadowman12317 July 2005
I saw this film yesterday , In my opinion it is a worthy sequel to the omen . Picking up from where the story left off last time . Damien is slowly made aware of his true purpose on earth and who he really is. John Scott-Taylor done an excellent performance as the son of the evil one (why he quit acting i don't know ???) Lee Grant also took a good stab at the performance however not as creepy as Billie Whitelaw's and William Holden also gave a solid performance but not as good as Gregory Peck's . Instead of being high on atmosphere and creepy-ness like the first film , Omen 2 mostly relies on being suspenseful and tries to built up a bit of tension and pulls it off nicely in some areas with a good body count and some gruesome kills . However it does have a few silly flaws in it that can be rather ridiculous to believe which can make the film a little confusing . Top that off with a little bit of a twist towards the last closing seconds of the film and an ending which speaks for it-self and you have a good film that any horror movie fan would want to check out . I still got a chill down my spine when i saw Damiens face in wall so it still hits the spot to some extent . I have not seen the final conflict yet but i am looking forward to checking it out as i would see what becomes of the fate of the anti-Christ , i heard it did not get that many good reviews but each to their own !
A fine sequel.
clark-391 June 2002
Two years after "The Omen" hit big with audiences and critics alike, little Damien Thorn returned to the big screen again, this time older and more aware of his true identity. While not a perfect sequel, it is above average compared to most horror movie sequels. We follow Damien on the verge of becoming a teenager, as forces around him begin to make way for his foretold rise to power, and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place. The Thorn family is portrayed with excellency once again here, as we see Damien's interactions with his aunt and uncle and cousin Mark. The story flows along nicely, which is a strong point this sequel has. Despite moments of dull, slow pacing, it manages to keep you interested. The movie almost plays like a coming-of-age story rather than a horror movie. Damien is just beginning to uncover his destiny, learning more about his place in the world and what's to come. A good deal of time is spent on the Thorn family business, giving us a taste of what's to come for young Damien. The idea that the antichrist is the nephew of a rich and powerful businessman, attending a wealthy academy is somewhat creepy. One thing that seems to have no basis in the film, however, is the fact that everyone sees Damien as somewhat of a "bad seed." Where this notion came about is beyond me, because at no point in the film is Damien uncontrollable or anything resembling a problem child. In fact, he carries on quite calmly, delivering his dialogue with a tranquil oddity that hints that something is a little off with him. Lacking the stylish direction of its predecessor, the film still manages to unfold the tale of Damien's self-realization and acceptance of destiny very well. A few odd deaths come every so often, to those who suspect Damien's true nature, and don't really serve the plot much purpose. One thing that makes the film great, though, is the lack of a villain. Never in the film is Damien portrayed as an absolutely evil and malevolent force. In fact, we somewhat feel for him and what he's going through. Damien isn't the one killing people here (at least not in the first hour) and he's not acting out violently, going on killing sprees for the hell of it. This film does well to portray the purity of evil, and the fact that it can reside in the embodiment of a boy. Despite a few over-the-top deaths, this film carries on what "The Omen" did by not over-milking the story with upside down crosses and images of demons or gargoyles. It's all very realistic and manages to scare us with what we don't see. Watch this film to see Damien slowly succumbing to his fate, and see by the end of the film how it changes him. While not a superbly crafted film, it's well above average for a horror sequel and carries on the legacy of Damien Thorn perfectly.
Saga of Damian continues
ebiros222 January 2012
The movie was scary when it first came out. It continues on the story where people mysteriously gets killed around Damian Thorn. But now it looks rather tame compared to what are posted these days on the internet about what satanists are actually doing in society.
The best part of the movie is its creepiness. The story is good, and so are the actors. It's part of the trilogy that put 666 and anti-Christ on to popular mythology. It was one of the best movie of this type at the time, and still holds its place as the movie that singles out anti-Christ as its main character. Thorn industry aren't so far off from what the likes of Monsanto and Halliburton are doing to our food, oil, and military industry. The movie was way ahead of its time in this sense.
This in my opinion is the best of the Omen trilogy, and is recommended for viewing.
The best part of the movie is its creepiness. The story is good, and so are the actors. It's part of the trilogy that put 666 and anti-Christ on to popular mythology. It was one of the best movie of this type at the time, and still holds its place as the movie that singles out anti-Christ as its main character. Thorn industry aren't so far off from what the likes of Monsanto and Halliburton are doing to our food, oil, and military industry. The movie was way ahead of its time in this sense.
This in my opinion is the best of the Omen trilogy, and is recommended for viewing.
Thorn in my side
Ali_John_Catterall3 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This is what the Bible has to say on the subject of ravens: "an abomination" (Leviticus 12-21). While according to Isiah (34, 8-11), on the day of the Lord's scorched-earth policy, our feathered pals will fill their blackened bellies with the crispy flesh of the damned. So it's appropriate this much maligned bird, intelligent and music-loving, should feature so heavily in Damien: Omen II as a demonic fixer for teenage Antichrist Damien Thorn (Scott-Taylor).
With hell boy still largely unaware of his destiny, it's the raven who's responsible for much of the murdering, usually by just perching up and belching along to an undulating Jerry Goldsmith choir. That's something those Old Testament prophets neglected to mention; the 'Father of Omens' has a habit of introducing itself with a loud, beak-smacking gut-honk. Not only will it pop your eyes like fried eggs, it'll burp in your face for an aperitif.
Set some 7 years after the events of The Omen, the troubled sequel finds the little devil living the high life with uncle Richard (Holden), Richard's second wife Ann (Grant), and gormless cousin Mark (Donat). Damien's turned out marvellously considering his first adopted father was gunned down while trying to turn him into a colander. Charming, cheeky, insouciant and savvy, he's Holden Caulfield with a helmet haircut. And like most boys on the verge of their thirteenth birthday ("considered by many cultures to have initiation rites"), Damien's going through some startling changes. If only pubic hair and frenzied masturbation were the extent of it.
Shorn of Satanic nannies and hell-hounds, but with the burping raven on constant call, facilitating his rise to badness are a bunch of well-appointed acolytes and corporate thugs, smoothing his entry into the obscenely rich and powerful Thorn Industries, which plans to control - or withhold - food distribution in famine-afflicted territories (good business say some, 'unethical' think others - and horribly familiar we say, from the vantage point of the 21st century). Meanwhile, anybody who gets in Damien's way is slaughtered, and which teen hasn't fantasised about that?
Following the trajectory of many future captains of industry, Damien is packed off to military school, where brooding academy sergeant Daniel Neff (Henriksen) informs him of his true nature. "Why?" he howls despairingly. "Why me?" A playful riff on the traumas of puberty, it's the one truly affecting scene because it's so honest. The remainder can be fed to the flames.
If The Omen had a certain vaudevillian grandeur, the sequel feels like a cheap, made-for-TV slasher. More reliable than buses, you can set your watch by the slayings, including a damn good pecking, a deadly plunge under the ice (the most effective set-piece) and death by lift cable, featuring a technician chopped in half width-ways; if the film was aiming to trounce the original's straightforward decapitation, it's just not half as effective in its execution.
It makes one wonder what original director Mike Hodges could have done with it, before fleeing production three weeks into the shoot. As Hodges told the 'Guardian' in 2003, during a row about the design budget the apoplectic producer placed a handgun on the table. "I said, 'Is that loaded?' And he said, 'Yes.' And then we just looked at each other for a bit." Hodges retains a credit (unlike Leo McKern and Ian Hendry, drowned by sand in the first 10 minutes), but the script might have been so different: 'You're a big man, but in you're in bad shape. Now sit down and behave yourself before I summon Baal and Lilith to play conkers with your b****cks."
With the exception of Henriksen, and the beguiling Scott-Taylor, the acting is uniformly stilted, and a quick buck for Holden who was originally pencilled in to play Robert Thorn, but passed as he didn't want to star in a film about the devil. Having seen The Omen clean up, he wasted no time hopping on board for the sequel. More pertinently, the original film was shot with an alternative ending in which Damien died but Alan Ladd Jnr, sniffing bucks, nixed the idea. All of which proves once and for all that the love of sequels is actually the root of all evil.
With hell boy still largely unaware of his destiny, it's the raven who's responsible for much of the murdering, usually by just perching up and belching along to an undulating Jerry Goldsmith choir. That's something those Old Testament prophets neglected to mention; the 'Father of Omens' has a habit of introducing itself with a loud, beak-smacking gut-honk. Not only will it pop your eyes like fried eggs, it'll burp in your face for an aperitif.
Set some 7 years after the events of The Omen, the troubled sequel finds the little devil living the high life with uncle Richard (Holden), Richard's second wife Ann (Grant), and gormless cousin Mark (Donat). Damien's turned out marvellously considering his first adopted father was gunned down while trying to turn him into a colander. Charming, cheeky, insouciant and savvy, he's Holden Caulfield with a helmet haircut. And like most boys on the verge of their thirteenth birthday ("considered by many cultures to have initiation rites"), Damien's going through some startling changes. If only pubic hair and frenzied masturbation were the extent of it.
Shorn of Satanic nannies and hell-hounds, but with the burping raven on constant call, facilitating his rise to badness are a bunch of well-appointed acolytes and corporate thugs, smoothing his entry into the obscenely rich and powerful Thorn Industries, which plans to control - or withhold - food distribution in famine-afflicted territories (good business say some, 'unethical' think others - and horribly familiar we say, from the vantage point of the 21st century). Meanwhile, anybody who gets in Damien's way is slaughtered, and which teen hasn't fantasised about that?
Following the trajectory of many future captains of industry, Damien is packed off to military school, where brooding academy sergeant Daniel Neff (Henriksen) informs him of his true nature. "Why?" he howls despairingly. "Why me?" A playful riff on the traumas of puberty, it's the one truly affecting scene because it's so honest. The remainder can be fed to the flames.
If The Omen had a certain vaudevillian grandeur, the sequel feels like a cheap, made-for-TV slasher. More reliable than buses, you can set your watch by the slayings, including a damn good pecking, a deadly plunge under the ice (the most effective set-piece) and death by lift cable, featuring a technician chopped in half width-ways; if the film was aiming to trounce the original's straightforward decapitation, it's just not half as effective in its execution.
It makes one wonder what original director Mike Hodges could have done with it, before fleeing production three weeks into the shoot. As Hodges told the 'Guardian' in 2003, during a row about the design budget the apoplectic producer placed a handgun on the table. "I said, 'Is that loaded?' And he said, 'Yes.' And then we just looked at each other for a bit." Hodges retains a credit (unlike Leo McKern and Ian Hendry, drowned by sand in the first 10 minutes), but the script might have been so different: 'You're a big man, but in you're in bad shape. Now sit down and behave yourself before I summon Baal and Lilith to play conkers with your b****cks."
With the exception of Henriksen, and the beguiling Scott-Taylor, the acting is uniformly stilted, and a quick buck for Holden who was originally pencilled in to play Robert Thorn, but passed as he didn't want to star in a film about the devil. Having seen The Omen clean up, he wasted no time hopping on board for the sequel. More pertinently, the original film was shot with an alternative ending in which Damien died but Alan Ladd Jnr, sniffing bucks, nixed the idea. All of which proves once and for all that the love of sequels is actually the root of all evil.
An excellent sequel to the Omen
ozthegreatat423302 April 2007
Beginning again with the mad dash of Bugenhagen(Leo McKern) through the Haifa port under the very fitting theme of Jerry Goldsmith, this film contains all of the chills of the original as Damien learns about who he really is. It has one thing that I particularly liked that moment of indecision,when Damien, in a mirror of Jesus asks himself, why is it me. The moment when whatever innocence is in him is finally lost. William Holden and Lee Grant are excellent as his aunt and uncle, and there are several actors who cement their acting careers in the parts they play in this film. I am referring to Robert Foxworth for one, and Lance Henrickson for another. Silvia Sydney is one of of her last roles as Aunt Marion (smelling of Lilac or lavender) and the one really weak role was Nicholas Pryor as the director of the Thorn Museum. I am truly sorry for those people who did not care for this film, as it is head and shoulders above most of the Anti-Christ movies made. If you liked the first one this is a must see.
Second installment in Omen series , and again with horrible killings
ma-cortes5 November 2007
This sequel to huge successful Richard Donner film centres on the rebirth of the anti-Christ personified in Damien(Jonathan Scott Taylor). The film starts in Israel when a priest(Leo McKern)along with an archaeologist(Ian Hendry) discover a dark secret. Chicago, seven years later, now the grown-up demon-child with the mark 666 and adopted by fostered parents, the magnate Thorn(William Holden, Lee Grant).He finds along with his brother in a military academy with a tutor-officer(Lance Henriksen). The young boy seems to be around when inexplicable deaths happen guided by terrible demonic forces, including rid various interfering adults with the objective for world domination. Damien is poised for ruling devil over earth helped by underlings(Robert Foxworth, Lance Henriksen) and around by his unsuspecting kin.
This following packs suspense, thriller and grisly terror with creepy killings. The chief excitement lies in watching what new and amazing can be dreamt by the believable special effects. Damien seem to dispatch new weird killing every few minutes of film.Sensationalistic terror pieces when happen murders, like the crow, ice lagoon(the best), train and elevator with gore and decapitations included.For those who like that kind of things to be amused. It's all frightening entertaining and effective, if predictable but we have seen the former classic movie but also its predictability is redeemed in part by the charismatic acting of enjoyable casting and all around. Cool cinematography by Bill Butler(Jaws) and again impressive musical score by Jerry Goldsmith(Planet of apes) with soundtrack-alike the first part , winner a deserved Academy Award.Although redundant to original movie is a fitting rendition by director Don Taylor(previously a famed actor) who took over the film-making when Michael Hodges (screenplay's author, alongside Stanley Mann) left. Followed by two inferior sequels, the third(Final conflict) with Sam Neil and directed by Grahame Baker and the fourth for television(The awakening) with Faye Grant and directed by Jorge Montesi. For addicts terror genre and followers to hit Damien saga.
This following packs suspense, thriller and grisly terror with creepy killings. The chief excitement lies in watching what new and amazing can be dreamt by the believable special effects. Damien seem to dispatch new weird killing every few minutes of film.Sensationalistic terror pieces when happen murders, like the crow, ice lagoon(the best), train and elevator with gore and decapitations included.For those who like that kind of things to be amused. It's all frightening entertaining and effective, if predictable but we have seen the former classic movie but also its predictability is redeemed in part by the charismatic acting of enjoyable casting and all around. Cool cinematography by Bill Butler(Jaws) and again impressive musical score by Jerry Goldsmith(Planet of apes) with soundtrack-alike the first part , winner a deserved Academy Award.Although redundant to original movie is a fitting rendition by director Don Taylor(previously a famed actor) who took over the film-making when Michael Hodges (screenplay's author, alongside Stanley Mann) left. Followed by two inferior sequels, the third(Final conflict) with Sam Neil and directed by Grahame Baker and the fourth for television(The awakening) with Faye Grant and directed by Jorge Montesi. For addicts terror genre and followers to hit Damien saga.
Slasher Pic in Clerical Robes
Putzberger3 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
It's hard to discern which genre this film spawned, or begat, if you prefer -- lousy 80's horror pics like "Friday the 13th," or lousy 90's fundamentalist thrillers a la "Left Behind." One one level, it panders to a viewer's voyeurism and bloodlust. Lots of characters get killed, some of them in rather creative ways, and there tends to be plenty of splatter (don't eat before the scene where the lady reporter in the fake fur buys it). Now, that's sick, but it has its own sort of integrity. What makes "D:O2" especially hideous, however, is its hypocrisy. In this movie, only the crazy characters are right about little Damien, and after proclaiming the truth -- that he is the Anti-Christ -- they are destroyed by a vast, sinister conspiracy. So Christianity, a global religion that preaches selflessness and love, is turned into an underground movement defined by paranoia and revenged. It's a survivalist's wet dream.
You have to work hard, though, to be disturbed by "D:O2" since the film-making is so laughably bad that you don't notice the rancid ideology. Bill Holden is a great actor, but somehow he's made his share of bombs and "Damien: Omen II" is his thermonuclear blast. His trademark cragginess and churlishness don't suggest a man being overwhelmed by dark forces so much as a man who wants to punch his agent. And who can blame him? In one scene, he gets into bed with wife Lee Grant, kisses her goodnight and lies there, looking disturbed. Is he wondering whether his stepson is the Anti-Christ or pondering the sad decline of his career, as evidenced by the sad decline of his co-stars? From Audrey Hepburn and Gloria Swanson to Lee Grant and Jonathan Scott-Thomas . . . it's a precipitous arc downward. If Holden is embarrassed, his co-stars are embarrassing. Lee Grant has two facial expressions, mildly amused and mildly menacing, and should sue whoever costumed her, although you'll finally learn where Boy George got his fashion sense. And there are a couple of scenes that wouldn't make it into an undergraduate student film -- the long shot of William Holden's cab driving into Chicago's Cabrini Green housing project, which is doubling for New York City (!), and a scene at a military academy in which you can see the headmaster squinting at the cue cards. Oh, this is poor.
You have to work hard, though, to be disturbed by "D:O2" since the film-making is so laughably bad that you don't notice the rancid ideology. Bill Holden is a great actor, but somehow he's made his share of bombs and "Damien: Omen II" is his thermonuclear blast. His trademark cragginess and churlishness don't suggest a man being overwhelmed by dark forces so much as a man who wants to punch his agent. And who can blame him? In one scene, he gets into bed with wife Lee Grant, kisses her goodnight and lies there, looking disturbed. Is he wondering whether his stepson is the Anti-Christ or pondering the sad decline of his career, as evidenced by the sad decline of his co-stars? From Audrey Hepburn and Gloria Swanson to Lee Grant and Jonathan Scott-Thomas . . . it's a precipitous arc downward. If Holden is embarrassed, his co-stars are embarrassing. Lee Grant has two facial expressions, mildly amused and mildly menacing, and should sue whoever costumed her, although you'll finally learn where Boy George got his fashion sense. And there are a couple of scenes that wouldn't make it into an undergraduate student film -- the long shot of William Holden's cab driving into Chicago's Cabrini Green housing project, which is doubling for New York City (!), and a scene at a military academy in which you can see the headmaster squinting at the cue cards. Oh, this is poor.
The Omen II is the story of Damien Thorn 7 years after his father died trying to kill him.
mdparalegal15 November 2013
This is actually my favorite installment in the Omen trilogy, though the first, starring Gregory Peck, was excellent as well. The Omen II- Damien, like its predecessor, scores a perfect 10 for casting. All of the actors are believable in their roles with newcomer Jonathan Scott Taylor (teenaged Damien) giving a particularly outstanding effort. The musical score was haunting and the plot very well done. The story unfolds seven years after Damien comes to live with his father's brother. It is here, he discovers and comes to terms with who he is and his destiny with all the angst, emotional turmoil and eventual acceptance the audience could imagine themselves facing. The plot flows easily, the story line makes sense and there are no loose ends left hanging. For a sequel, this one works and works well. Following a wildly successful original, The Omen, was a risky under taking. One usually expects a let down. You will not find one in The Omen II. In fact, so rare is it for a sequel to succeed as powerfully as this one, I can only think of one time where it happened. The Godfather II was as brilliant as The Godfather. That is how I feel about this movie. Enjoy!
Near-worthy sequel to a horror masterpiece
The_Void13 June 2006
The original Omen left itself wide open for a sequel, and even though I personally don't think it particularly needed one; I have to say that this second part, to my surprise, is actually very good! Don Taylor's sequel, of course, has nothing on Richard Donner's original; and even though the film often gets too convoluted and is more than a little bit silly, The Omen II follows on from the original nicely and is an overall worthy sequel. For the sequel, the action has expectedly moved to America; and the film delivers more of the uncompromising gore that helped to round off the original as an all round horror masterpiece. Logically, the film picks up the story of Damien seven years after his father, Robert Thawn, tried to kill him under mysterious circumstances. The film starts off with the revelation that Damien Thawn is the antichrist, and from there we follow him as he joins military school, comes under the guidance of one of Satan's disciples and violently disposes of anyone who stands a chance of discovering his real identity!
Jonathan Scott-Taylor is the actor given the honour of portraying the son of the devil this time around, and it has to be said that he does a really good job with it; even though the actor has hardly been seen since. William Holden is no Gregory Peck, but he does well in the older lead actor role; and he receives good backup from Lee Grant in the role of his wife. The cast is rounded off by cult stars Nicholas Pryor and Lance Henriksen. The plot pacing can be a little hard to follow, and not all the plot threads (the ones involving Thawn Industries in particular) are able to come through properly. However, director Don Taylor combats this by adding in an over the top and gory murder sequence every time the plot looks like it's going downhill. Here we have people burning to death, freezing to death, having their eyes plucked out and - of course - being cut in half in an elevator! The film just about carries off a mysterious religious tone throughout, and I was pleased that the film didn't get bogged down with theories surrounding Damien. The film ends with a nice little twist, before once again leaving the series open for a sequel - which, of course, it got three years later. The Omen II isn't a classic or must see; but it's a nice sequel.
Jonathan Scott-Taylor is the actor given the honour of portraying the son of the devil this time around, and it has to be said that he does a really good job with it; even though the actor has hardly been seen since. William Holden is no Gregory Peck, but he does well in the older lead actor role; and he receives good backup from Lee Grant in the role of his wife. The cast is rounded off by cult stars Nicholas Pryor and Lance Henriksen. The plot pacing can be a little hard to follow, and not all the plot threads (the ones involving Thawn Industries in particular) are able to come through properly. However, director Don Taylor combats this by adding in an over the top and gory murder sequence every time the plot looks like it's going downhill. Here we have people burning to death, freezing to death, having their eyes plucked out and - of course - being cut in half in an elevator! The film just about carries off a mysterious religious tone throughout, and I was pleased that the film didn't get bogged down with theories surrounding Damien. The film ends with a nice little twist, before once again leaving the series open for a sequel - which, of course, it got three years later. The Omen II isn't a classic or must see; but it's a nice sequel.
What a piece of garbage
mercury419 August 2002
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't that fond of The Omen, but I can't say it was terrible. I've seen a lot of bad movies in my time, but this one takes the cake. The movie is just more violent and grisly ways to kill people, William Holden being a bad actor instead of a good actor and William Holden trying to find out what the hell is wrong with his brother's son.(Pun intended)Damien's mother wasn't killed for nothing. Damien's father didn't try to kill him for nothing. Maybe Peck should have just stabbed him already and saved us the trouble of seeing this piece of garbage sequel. What I hate the most in this movie is the end. It took the idiot the whole movie to finally figure out his nephew was something out of hell and you would think he'd get the job done and not stall like his idiot brother in the first Omen. But of course by the time he's on to Damien it's too late and he, along with his wife, ends up just like the first couple. In such a stupid way too. Spoiler. Damien makes his aunt stab his uncle and then blows her up and walks out of the building. Wow what a great movie. Can I have my money back. 2 questions. Why was this movie made? Why where four Omen movies made? Where people dumb enough to keep going to see them. I could see the draw for a sequel. Especially a sequel to a big hit like The Omen. But you people can't always be fooled. Just watch the first Omen and stay away from this stupid movie. By the time you get to Omen 4 it'll already have gotten worse. Stay away. They get worse and worse as the series goes on. Stay away.
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