THE OMEGA CODE
The Omega Code involves the theory that crisscrossed throughout
the ancient Hebrew text of the Torah are numerous codified predictions about
the future. If one looks closely, one can decode cryptic messages by aligning
certain characters, or skipping by regular intervals, or by viewing the
text backwards, or whatever. Kinda like how "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
is supposed to stand for LSD. People have worked for centuries to unravel
this complex code and thereby gain knowledge of what exit to take when the
world ends.
Van Dien plays Dr. Gillen Lane, a famous motivational guru who is supposed
to be an authority on the subject. Lane is spotted by Stone Alexander (York),
a wealthy, ambitious despot who has a bank of computers working full tilt
to crack the code, and occasionally finding messages like "Hitler is
a fink" and "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine." Although Alexander
really wants to rule the world like any good villain would, he engages in
regular showings of outward humility and charity, and gains worldwide goodwill
by posing as a philanthropist. He summons Lane to his side and offers him
a position as his right-hand man, and Lane, who can never refuse a chance
to get more press coverage and get away from his bitchy wife (Devon Odessa),
agrees.
As they begin a world tour to promote worldwide religious unity (and
to promote Alexander as its leader), they are confounded by two nameless
prophets (Jan Tríska and Gregory Wagrowski) who make their own predictions,
like "Christ good — Alexander bad." Soon Lane must decide
whether to stick with his crazy new friend and ride his coattails right
to the top, or turn against him and save the world as we know it. Also present
are Michael Ironside as Alexander's number one goon, and Catherine Oxenberg
(whom Van Dien apparently married during production) as the Mystery Woman.
The story is dumb. The actors are dumb. Even the special effects are dumb. But not half as dumb as you'll feel if you pay to get in. *½