Damien: Omen II (1978)
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Summary: Bugenhagen, the Israeli archaeologist, is talking to a friend about the recent death of Ambassador Robert Thorn. He shows the friend the Yigael's Wall which was built in the year 1300 by a man who saw Satan himself and then drew upon the wall everything he observed. The drawing included 4 pictures of Satan, including one looking exactly like Damien. Once they realize this, the whole underground structure collapses killing them both. 7 years later, Damien is living with his Uncle Richard and cousin Mark. Richard works at Thorn Industries and the company is in charge of making pesticides and other chemicals to preserve food. Richard, being head boss, is getting conflicting ideas from 2 directors below him, Paul and Bill. Paul's suggestion is to buy up land from poor people living in deserts and help them grow food. Bill feels it is in essence making them slaves. But Damien isn't completely out of the picture since while at his Military Academy, a new instructor has arrived, Sgt. Neff. As time goes on, Paul and Sgt. Neff seem to have Damien's best interests in mind and Richard begins to hear of Damien's origins from the curator of the Thorn Museum, Charles, and his friend, Joan Hart, who happens to be writing a book on Bugenhagen. And of course those mysterious knives which were given to Robert in part one, reappear this time too. But will Damien finally be stopped or will another Thorn meet his fate? And who exactly is on Damien's side, anyway?
Overall: Definitely a letdown from the first film. In fact, Richard is more outnumbered in this film that Robert was in the last film. But the evidence of Damien being Stan’s spawn is actually less conclusive this time than in part 1 – it’s more circumstantial here. And the crow takes the place of the black dog in the first film as being the animal designed to protect Damien. The problem is that this film tends to borrow ideas from other films to makes its effects work. Easily noticeable is stuff reminiscent of the Jedi Force from "Star Wars" as well bird attacks from Hitchcock's "The Birds." What struck me funny about the film was Mesach Taylor as a hospital doctor (a long way from “Designing Women”) as well as our bad guy Alan, looking exactly like Mr. Brady from “The Brady Bunch.” It’s an “ok” film. It’s watchable, has some interesting performances but the ending was the letdown. Remember part 1 then watch this film…Not giving it away, but just notice exactly who is fighting at the end of this movie and where Damien is in relation to Richard. Just seemed sorta anti-climactic. Comparison: Star Wars meets Exorcist |
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