optionshift

I actually paid money to see this abomination when it was in theatrical release. What happened was that I was visiting my mother and step-father during the Thanksgiving holiday a few years ago and we decided to go to the multiplex without having any particular movie in mind.

When we got there, a debate ensued over which film to see. I didn't want to sit through whatever Meg Ryan romantic comedy was playing and Mom vetoed anything potentially violent. So I suggested that we break the impasse by seeing "The Omega Code," a film that none of us had seen advertised or knew anything about. I figured that as a result of being adventurous, we might be pleasantly surprised by an offbeat box office sleeper.

What a mistake. I sat cringing throughout the entire film, with the shameful knowledge that my open-minded, random pick had backfired on us so miserably. I spent literally hours after we left the theater apologizing for leading us so far astray.

Another reviewer commented that Omega Code's premise of a numerological interpretation of the Bible is similar to that of Darren Aronofsky's "Pi." While I felt that "Pi" was ultimately unsuccessful in its treatment and plot, it is at least a watchable investigation of the idea. Even my mother, who has purchased and read novels of the `Biblical fiction' genre, was unenthusiastic about this lackluster interpretation of the apocalypse.

I remember the film "Dogma," which covers similar Biblical subject matter was also playing at the same time. I wish we'd stumbled into that one instead. I'm not a huge fan of Kevin Smith's films, but I've since rented "Dogma" and it at least presents a coherent, if convoluted plot and some interesting characters in its comically warped take on Armageddon.

There have already been over a hundred commentaries for this movie, but the reason I felt compelled to write this one is that I stumbled across the entry and found that the title of the first contributor's summary is a very positive `Accurate Biblical Drama.' I couldn't disagree more.

And I'm not some high-minded cinema buff either. I enjoy a well-paced thriller or moderately smart sci-fi movie once in while. But this doesn't work in any way on any level at all. Don't even rent this one for its supposed camp value as some commentators have recommended, its just plain inept in a tedious way that's not even interesting. I'm both baffled and horrified that it actually somehow spawned a sequel.