The Omen Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Omen (666)" delivers a commendable 1080p, 1.85:1 widescreen transfer that significantly improves upon its standard-definition DVD predecessor, despite not achieving a knockout in terms of high-definition visuals. The transfer shines particularly in the clarity and detail of outdoor scenes, such as those in Jerusalem, where the texture of the city's earth-toned architecture and the gritty realism of its gruesome moments are vividly captured. Enhanced by Jonathan Seia's moody cinematography, the film benefits from deep blacks and vibrant contrast that elevate the visual experience, though the color palette appears somewhat muted across the board, with whites tending towards gray and blue hues likely due to artistic choices aimed at setting a specific mood. Despite the overall solid presentation, there are inconsistencies, including slightly off flesh tones and occasional softness in close-up shots that detract from the definition expected of a Blu-ray.

The source quality is generally clean with minimal blemishes, maintaining an appropriate level of film grain that contributes to the atmospheric dread integral to "The Omen's" horror aesthetic. However, there are moments, especially towards the film's climax and in other sporadic scenes like the fog-shrouded cemetery visit, where graininess converges with noise, diminishing the visual clarity. These instances of posterization and noise, albeit not ruining the experience, indicate a transfer that occasionally struggles with the film’s darker elements. Colors are mostly well-rendered, with rich reds standing out for their vibrancy, yet fleshtones suffer from inconsistency, at times appearing orange and muddy, which can distract from the otherwise immersive experience.

In summary, while "The Omen (666)" on Blu-ray may not represent the zenith of high-definition transfers, it offers a reliable upgrade from DVD quality that will satisfy fans of the film. The upgrade foregrounds remarkable details in both scenery and action sequences and maintains the film's dark aesthetic through its careful handling of black levels and contrast. Despite some drawbacks in color accuracy and occasional sharpness issues, this Blu-ray presents the film with a level of precision and depth that enhances its ominous atmosphere, making it a worthy addition to a horror aficionado’s collection.

"The Omen (666)" delivers a devilishly immersive audio experience with its DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, despite some notable limitations due to the current lack of fully compatible equipment to experience its full Lossless Master Audio potential. This soundtrack excels in presenting crystal clear dialogue that remains natural throughout, coupled with action scenes and atmospherics that challenge and utilize the full extent of one's sound system. Explosive scenes are rendered with such impact that they resonate physically, exemplified by moments such as a gorilla's desperate attempts to escape captivity, where each thud reverberates ominously. The low-end frequencies are particularly impressive, providing a tight and potent bass that enriches the atmospheric tension in scenes filled with rumbling bass and the terror-inducing ambient effects synonymous with horror.

However, the sound design does not consistently maintain this high level of engagement across all scenes. The soundtrack can feel front-heavy and at times offers a less than satisfying use of the surround channels, particularly in quieter moments or those that should have benefited from a richer ambient presence. While the encompassing score sometimes bolsters the auditory experience, it occasionally overpowers dialogue, necessitating manual adjustments to volume levels to catch every word. This imbalance, alongside the film's somewhat flat representation during its less action-intensive sequences, suggests opportunities for a more dynamically balanced mix that could further enhance viewer immersion.

Notwithstanding these criticisms, when the audio setup aligns, such as during sequences of environmental chaos like storms, the listening experience vastly improves, demonstrating effective use of rear channels for a complete and enveloping soundstage. This intricate detail in sound design during key moments creates a visceral experience that highlights the strengths of "The Omen's" soundtrack, despite the technological constraints that may prevent audiences from experiencing the audio in its intended lossless glory. Ultimately, the auditory presentation of "The Omen (666)" showcases a mixture of intense, high-energy sequences with impactful bass and dynamic range that stands out, although it is occasionally marred by uneven sound balancing and underutilized surround sound capabilities.

"The Omen (666) Blu-ray extra features serve up a mixed bag catering mostly to hardcore fans who might relish the deep dive into its making, albeit with a sense of self-importance and a penchant for over-explaining that occasionally borders on the tedious. The commentary track, featuring director John Moore alongside producers Glenn Williamson and Dan Zimmerman, oscillates between self-congratulatory musings and comparisons to the original film that fail to acknowledge the remake's lack of originality. The Abbey Road Sessions and Revelation 666 attempt to add value, with the former offering an insider's view on Marco Beltrami's composition process, albeit overshadowed by the iconic score of the original movie, and the latter, a light-hearted exploration of the number 666, feeling somewhat out of place. Extended death scenes Impaling and Beheading, while catering to gore enthusiasts, might strike others as unnecessarily gratuitous. The inclusion of a pop-up trivia track, The Devil's Footnotes, adds an engaging layer of content, though its appeal might be limited."

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary Track: A session with director John Moore, producer Glenn Williamson, and editor Dan Zimmerman discussing the film's production.
• Abbey Road Sessions: A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the film's score with composer Marco Beltrami.
• Revelation 666: A feature examining the significance of the number 666 in culture and history.
• Extended Scenes: Includes two scenes, Impaling and Beheading, offering a more graphic version than the theatrical release.
• The Devil's Footnotes: A trivia track providing insights on various aspects related to the film, its themes, and production details.

The 2006 remake of "The Omen," intended to rekindle the eerie essence of its 1976 predecessor, struggles to leverage its modern setting and technological advancements, resulting in a film that somewhat misfires in capitalizing on contemporary societal and religious anxieties. Despite assembling a capable cast including Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles, with notable inclusion of Mia Farrow lending gravitas to her role, the film treads too closely to its original, failing to inject fresh terror or meaningful updates into the story. This adherence to the original framework stifles any potential for surprise or genuine horror, as the film's developments feel foretold, limiting the impact on an audience already familiar with the narrative's trajectory. Furthermore, while attempts at enhancing the movie with modern visual effects and incorporating disturbing dream sequences are apparent, they fall short of compensating for the overall lack of originality and suspense.

The portrayal of Damien, intended as the linchpin of fear, lacks the unsettling balance between innocence and malevolence achieved in the original, despite Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick's efforts. Similarly, performances across the board, though earnest, are overshadowed by comparisons to their iconic predecessors, diminishing their effectiveness. Particularly, the film's reliance on conventional horror tropes, such as loud noises and jump scares, further detracts from the psychological terror and tension that defined the genre's best. The critical reception highlights a missed opportunity to explore deeper themes relevant to its 2006 audience - fears rooted not just in supernatural evil but in real-world horrors and societal shifts. Such aspects could have offered a more resonant and terrifying experience, aligning with the original's impact on its audience.

Technically, "The Omen" remake benefits from the clarity and quality a Blu-ray presentation offers, with well-executed scenes like the impaling incident standing out amidst an otherwise uninspired retelling. Yet, even with these scattered moments of effectiveness and a visually polished execution, the remake fails to justify its existence beyond exploiting a numerically significant release date. It becomes emblematic of broader issues within the horror remake trend—retreading familiar ground without sufficient innovation or adaptation to modern contexts and fears. As a result, the movie becomes a footnote in horror cinema, memorable not for its achievements in storytelling or terror but for its illustration of how not to approach a remake of a beloved classic.

The Blu-ray release of "The Omen (666)" leaves much to be desired, echoing the sentiments of those who find the remake largely unnecessary and underwhelming. This film, which attempts to bring the classic horror story into the modern era, falls short of adding anything new or compelling to the legacy of the original. Despite the filmmaker's efforts to justify this remake as a reimagining, it comes off more as a missed opportunity to genuinely update or expand upon the original's narrative, rather than merely retreading familiar ground for apparent financial gains. On a technical level, the Blu-ray does deliver with a solid video and audio presentation and includes a decent array of extra materials, which might appeal to completists or die-hard fans of the franchise.

The main criticism revolves around the content of the film itself, which is seen as a needless retelling that fails to captivate or scare, especially compared to its precursor. However, for those interested in the physical aspects of the release, it's noted that the Blu-ray offers a respectable transfer and sound quality, alongside a batch of extras that could enrich the viewing experience if one can overlook the core issue—the movie's lackluster execution. The inclusion of an HD exclusive trivia track might offer some redemption for fans or collectors seeking to glean more from their purchase.

In conclusion, while the technical aspects of "The Omen (666)" Blu-ray are commendable, they can hardly compensate for the film's fundamental flaws. It represents a missed opportunity to breathe new life into a classic horror tale, instead serving as a stark reminder that not all remakes are warranted. The steep asking price further complicates its appeal, suggesting that only the most dedicated fans might find it worth exploring. For casual viewers or those with fond memories of the original, this release is likely best skipped or, at most, rented with tempered expectations.