THE OMEN — ** — Liev Schreiber, Julia Stiles, David Thewlis; rated R (violence, gore, profanity, brief drugs, nude artwork); Carmike 12 and Ritz 15 Theaters; Century Theatres 16 (South Salt Lake); Century Theatres 16 (Sandy); Cinemark 24 at Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12 at the Gateway; Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons; Megaplex 20 at the District; Red Carpet Gateway 8 Cinemas; Redwood Drive-in.

You can file the remake of "The Omen" under "Unnecessary." With a cross-reference to "Uninspired."

The only reason this film seems to exist — aside from the obvious monetary desires — is so the filmmakers can try to re-create the 1976 supernatural thriller, shot for shot.

But it's a pale imitation of the earlier film and, as you might expect, the filmmakers simply crank up the gore. As it is, this "Omen" also seems to be channeling the "Final Destination" movies.

What meager enjoyment there is comes from watching Liev Schreiber try to imitate Gregory Peck as he assumes Peck's role, American diplomat Robert Thorn.

Robert and his wife Katherine (Julia Stiles) are about to have a baby. However, their child is stillborn, so Robert and the doctors decide to keep that fact from his wife. Oddly, he also decides to adopt another child that was born the same day — one whose mother died in childbirth. As it turns out, the boy — whom they name Damien — may be the prophesied Anti-Christ.

As the years go by, horrible things start happening to people who get too close to the truth, including a nanny, and a priest (Pete Postlethwaite) who tries to warn Robert about Damien (now played by Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick).

Director John Moore ("Flight of the Phoenix") did tweak the 1976 script a little (though original scripter David Seltzer receives sole credit), and this newer version is considerably more hokey and contrived.

The most clever thing in the film is casting Mia Farrow as Damien's creepy nanny, a nod to 1968's "Rosemary's Baby," the original "Spawn of Satan" movie to hit it big.

As for Schreiber and Stiles, they're not the warmest, most sympathetic personalities. Schreiber also lacks Peck's nearly biblical seriousness and appears ready to laugh a couple of times — as does newcomer Davey-Fitzpatrick.

"The Omen" is rated R for violent and disturbing imagery (as well as a spearing, a beheading, a shooting and some animal and vehicular violence), some graphic gore, occasional use of strong sexual profanity, some brief drug content (mostly references), and glimpses of nude artwork. Running time: 110 minutes.

---

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com