I remember seeing this film back in the 1980s on cable television, probably HBO, which means I have only seen this film in its 4:3, television format. It is so nice seeing it today, in its original widescreen, theatrical proportions. The way it was supposed to be. It really makes the film better, considering, this film wasn't well liked, when it first came out in theaters in 1981. I remember seeing the Siskel and Ebert episode, when they bashed this film. It wasn't well received by critics and I remember not having the greatest time seeing it back then either. I remember my friends watching this film with me, with our 1980s haircuts, not really enjoying the film. But, that was then and this is now.
Much like the second film, I think this film needed some time to mature. I think the film does work better in the 21st century. For me, most of that comes from seeing the star of the film, Sam Neill, as Damien Thorn, all grown up. But, what is even more helpful is what I have seen of Neill since 1981. Since he did this film, along with a bunch of other titles, he was in, the Hunt for Red October (1990), Jurassic Park (1993) and even his cameos in the Thor films, have given me a new perspective of him, when going back to his older films. His career was fairly new by 1981 and this angle of viewing the film creates new pay-offs from the story.
The ending to this story does come quick, after so much build-up and the end is still slightly lackluster. It's almost like the story got out of the hands of the writers. There was too much information needed to be covered and this is why the mood of the film was muddied with a boring pace. The chaos that is laid-out in front of us, becomes unscary. This is a professionally produced motion picture and it does have a build-up of vintage mood, that has enhanced the entertainment level of the film. It is a good movie to watch, especially along with the whole trilogy of Omen films together. It is a classic example of early 1980s, horror films.
5.9 (D MyGrade) = 6 IMDB.
Much like the second film, I think this film needed some time to mature. I think the film does work better in the 21st century. For me, most of that comes from seeing the star of the film, Sam Neill, as Damien Thorn, all grown up. But, what is even more helpful is what I have seen of Neill since 1981. Since he did this film, along with a bunch of other titles, he was in, the Hunt for Red October (1990), Jurassic Park (1993) and even his cameos in the Thor films, have given me a new perspective of him, when going back to his older films. His career was fairly new by 1981 and this angle of viewing the film creates new pay-offs from the story.
The ending to this story does come quick, after so much build-up and the end is still slightly lackluster. It's almost like the story got out of the hands of the writers. There was too much information needed to be covered and this is why the mood of the film was muddied with a boring pace. The chaos that is laid-out in front of us, becomes unscary. This is a professionally produced motion picture and it does have a build-up of vintage mood, that has enhanced the entertainment level of the film. It is a good movie to watch, especially along with the whole trilogy of Omen films together. It is a classic example of early 1980s, horror films.
5.9 (D MyGrade) = 6 IMDB.