Liev Schreiber, Julia Stiles, Mia Farrow
HORROR
When a shifty priest offers to replace your stillborn baby with a conveniently orphaned newborn, it's okay to say no. But Robert Thorn (Schreiber) agrees, and presents his unknowing wife (Stiles) with their "son" Damien. Five years later, as bodies pile up and Damien (Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick) demonstrates an allergy to houses of worship, Thorn learns the boy is the Anti-Christ, whose "666" birthmark heralds Armageddon.
As well as yet another mediocre remake of a hit '70s horror film. With its script barely changed from the 1976 original (David Seltzer, who wrote both films, mistakenly saw no need for improvement), The Omen adds little beyond its clever 6-6-06 release date. Schreiber, usually riveting, remains poker-faced, reacting to loved ones' gruesome deaths with the mild annoyance of someone whose TV is on the fritz. As Damien's creepy nanny, Farrow, who knows from devil children after Rosemary's Baby, adds sinister sparkle. (R)
[STARS 2]
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