666 - the Antichrist's lucky number, X 4
by Kidnykid - Written: Aug 16 '02
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Pros: The first three Omen films, featuring Damien Thorn.
Cons: OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING is included, unfortunately.
The Bottom Line: Buy THE OMEN COLLECTION if you're a die-hard OMEN fan, or if you have a genuine interest in Biblical prophecy.
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| Kidnykid's Full Review: Omen: The Complete Collection |
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Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
The series of movies called THE OMEN described the life cycle of someone named Damien Thorn, and his offspring, Delia, both of whom were related to the Devil. Damien himself was the Antichrist, who many fundamentalist Protestants believe is the demonic equivalent of Jesus Christ Himself. Delia was his equally-demonic spawn, although OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING doesn't describe exactly how Damien begat Delia. (Presumably it wasn't the normal way.)
THE OMEN COLLECTION combines all four Omen movies into one boxed set. Allow me to briefly describe each movie.
THE OMEN is the first movie in the series. Damien Thorn, known at the time only as a baby of uncertain parentage, is adopted by the future Ambassador to the Court of St. James, Gregory Peck, from a Catholic priest without wife Lee Remick's knowledge, as a way of hiding from her the fact of their biological son's demise. Several years later, a series of freak accidents and deaths leads Peck to discover the truth about Damien's heritage and mission in life, much to Peck's eternal regret.
This is the link to my Epinions review of THE OMEN:
http://www.epinions.com/content_73125957252
DAMIEN: OMEN II tells the story of Damien's adolescence. By this time, he's living with an uncle and aunt, William Holden and Lee Grant, and their biological son, with whom he goes to a military school. Another series of freak accidents and deaths leads Damien himself to discover his mission in life. This is the link to my Epinions.com review of DAMIEN: OMEN II:
http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-4E24-8B94BE0-38659EB9-prod3
FINAL CONFLICT shows Damien Thorn all grown up and the leader of Thorn Industries. Through the requisite series of freak accidents, he takes over his "father's" old job as Ambassador to the Court of St. James in England. Suffice it to say that Damien receives his own eternal reward in this film. Here is the link to my Epinions.com review of FINAL CONFLICT:
http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-28C9-8B9CBD0-3865A001-prod3
OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING tells Delia's story. Like her evil father Damien Thorn, Delia comes to Faye Grant and her screen husband (later to become a candidate for Senator) through the auspices of the Catholic Church, this time a convent which has only the vaguest idea (if any) of Delia's heritage. The usual series of by-now-tiresome freak accidents and deaths - some of which duplicate those found in THE OMEN itself - seems to follow Delia around, including one which she and her pediatrician engineer to help get Faye Grant pregnant. I gladly give the plot of this film away in the following Epinions.com review:
http://www.epinions.com/content_7297623028
(Epinions.com software does not make these links clickable hyperlinks. Therefore, readers of this review will have to copy and paste each URL into their browser's address box.)
Because the quality of each individual film is different, the quality of the entire set varies, perhaps too much for many viewers. This is an occupational hazard of boxed sets, especially ones in which the quality of each individual element varies as widely as it does in THE OMEN COLLECTION.
The only deterioration I noted in video quality was in DAMIEN: OMEN II, where some of the colors seemed a bit faded from age. The rest of the films look acceptable for home use, although those knowledgable about such matters may be able to detect problems in this area more easily than I can.
Because the quality of the films varies from film to film, I'd recommend this boxed set primarily for those who are interested in THE OMEN series, as well as those who wish to compare this to (and contrast this with) the LEFT BEHIND series currently selling in bookstores. It is also recommended - with the exception of OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING (available for home viewing only in this boxed set) - for those with an interest in Biblical prophecy. Skip the set, however, if you want to run screaming from the room in horror every time the subject of Christianity comes up. (THE OMEN COLLECTION, again with the exception of OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING, has a fairly heavy evangelical-Protestant feel to it.)
Recommended:
Yes
Viewing Format: VHS Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
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