Damien: The Omen II

Twentieth Century Fox | minutes | | | Standard DVD reviewed by: Christopher Bligh

If it's one thing that's key with movies during the summer, there's bound to be a sequel or sequels to bring the audience that loved the original or are the least bit curious as to what will happen next to the players from the original. At a time that re-releases were key and home video was just starting, the late seventies played a key role in bringing out some sequels for the summer. In 1976, there was the coming of the AntiChrist with Richard Donner's blockbuster hit The Omen. Two years later, and around the same time as I am writing this, the continuing story of this blockbuster hit the big screens and had us all wondering what horror will the AntiChrist lash out next that can be on the same level or go even further than the original. The year is 1978, Omen #2, the last name is Thorn and the first name is Damien.

The 20th Century Fox logo is played with again, chants are abound again, the silhouette is not in darkness, and the first time was only a warning. This time a discovery by Karl Budenhagen (Leo McKern) is on an ancient wall. The face on the wall is that of the AntiChrist and it matches the face of the son of the late Ambassador Thorn, Damien. Although after showing a prominent friend the remarkable discovery, they face a gruesome death at the hand of a mysterious force lying within a crow. A few years later Damien, now being raised by his father's brother Richard Thorn (William Holden), is heading off to military school with his cousin Mark. Along the way, he carries some strange behavior along with finding out the truth about himself. It's upon his return that Damien lets out how much power he does have and how far he will push it. Can Richard get to Damien and finish the job that was left by Ambassador Thorn before it's too late?

There are times when a sequel can be on the same level or better than the original and there are times when a sequel is leaps and bounds below the original and in this case it is the former. The second entry into the Omen saga takes some time to get going and once it does, it becomes an effective and intriguing thriller that stays on the same level as the original but never quite goes over the line of better.

There is only one carryover character and he has a short time on-screen and sometimes in present day sequels that short time has been a weakness. However, it's his short time that keeps the film on the level and does a much better job following the previous story than other horror sequels such as Pet Sematary, The Exorcist and Scream. There are many creepy scenes that are chilling and well done creations of nightmares and this is all done without the use of any modern day special effects.

With the limitations and the technology not quite there yet, it's easy to see why some horror movies of the seventies had genuine scares and Damien: Omen II is only one example of that. With a quicker pace and a twisty climax, the second entry of the Omen is a very good example of the right way a sequel can follow the original and manage to stay on the same level.

Damien: Omen II is given it's second incarnation after laserdisc in the 2.35:1 widescreen format, but this time with an anamorphic enhancement. The results are a better visual presentation than not only the old laserdisc, but a better visual presentation than the original. The print is clean with the occasional speck or hint of grain but that comes once in every half hour or more. The picture quality looks great with a limited amount of colors (except for a notable red jacket which is spoken about in the commentary) and a great look especially capturing beautiful sky shots wonderfully shot by cinematographer Bill Butler and keeping a vivid palette. Many films made at this time have many picture problems, but not this one as this is given a nice visual presentation.

Damien: Omen II is given it's second incarnation after laserdisc in the 2.35:1 widescreen format, but this time with an anamorphic enhancement. The results are a better visual presentation than not only the old laserdisc, but a better visual presentation than the original. The print is clean with the occasional speck or hint of grain but that comes once in every half hour or more. The picture quality looks great with a limited amount of colors (except for a notable red jacket which is spoken about in the commentary) and a great look especially capturing beautiful sky shots wonderfully shot by cinematographer Bill Butler and keeping a vivid palette. Many films made at this time have many picture problems, but not this one as this is given a nice visual presentation.

As part of the Omen collection, Damien: Omen II has few extras highlighted by a "Q&A form" commentary track by producer Harvey Bernhard moderated (uncredited) by DVD producer J.M. Kenny. Their track is recorded as they're watching the film and J.M. asks some key questions and gets some interesting answers from Harvey filled with some anecdotes of the making of this film, the adjustments from one director to another and a few hints about the cast, what some of them are up to now, and the locales as well. Although the track can be gappy in few places, it remains a most entertaining track between the two.

Along with that, there are trailers for all three Omen feature films (which the original Omen DVD does not have) along with trailers in the "Fox Flicks" section for: Alien, Best Laid Plans, both versions of The Fly, Return of the Fly, The Fly II, Ravenous, and Titus.

With Damien Thorn as a much older person and the havoc that is created by his powers, Damien: Omen II provides a second movie worthy of being up there with the first along with a DVD that is worthy to be along with the best as well even though the extras are few, less is more in this case.