I don’t know about you but the name Michael Myers has become synonymous with the season of Halloween. It all started back in 1978 when a virtually unknown young director from New York brought to the big screen a terrifying story of a derailed individual hellbent on killing. From there, director/writer John Carpenter, as one of the greatest horror minds of our time began his ascent into the horror hall of fame. With ominous music and an utterly terrifying psychopath on the loose, fans were hooked from the first kill. Seven sequels would follow (depending on your views of Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)) the original but none fared nearly as well as the first.
Then came the Rob Zombie remake in 2007, followed by a sequel. Fans of Zombie’s graphic artistry enjoyed the newer and updated brutal look at the sensationalized serial killer but not John Q. Public. But just as the mythical murder proved time and time again, you can’t keep Michael Myers down. And that brings us to 2018 where Halloween will once again be revisited. This latest chapter takes an interesting approach, forget about anything that may have occurred in the sequels or remakes. The movie that is out right now has been 40 years in the making. This is the direct (and only) sequel to Halloween (1978). Period. The end.
It’s been four decades since Michael Myers took the lives of five people in the small town of Haddonfield. With a blood thirst unlike any other, Michael Myers had become the face of pure evil. Since that terrible time, Michael has been locked away and has gone virtually invisible over the years a heavily guarded institution with the key thrown away. During this time, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has been patiently awaiting his return, only now though, she’s going to be ready for the boogeyman. Even her own daughter (Judy Greer) sees her as a kook, but that isn’t going to deter Laurie from doing what she knows is right.
When Laurie’s worst fears are realized as Micheal escapes captivity following a bus crash, years of preparation comes surging to the forefront. Laurie has two goals, protect her family and put an end to her demons at all costs. While Michael has just one goal, and that is to finally end Laurie’s life. This epic battle will reach its thrilling conclusion as both parties go all-in. Death is only one moment away at any given time.
You would do well to remember that 1978’s movie was not infallible. Despite being on remembered as a classic in the horror genre, it presented a few struggling aspects. I remind everyone of this because Halloween is also not perfect. Director David Gordon Green does an admirable job telling this story while staying on track of what the compelling portion of the franchise were. That would be Jamie Lee Curtis and Michael Myers, and I mention her real name and the character of Michael Myers purposely. Most people don’t think Laurie Strode, they think Jamie Lee Curtis. As far as Michael Myers goes, there have been more than ten actors (if you count the younger Michael) that played the role so there’s no point in mentioning them.
Where other movies in the franchise have seemed to gravitate towards more a sudo-supernatural involvement, Halloween stays pretty grounded with its feet firmly planted on the ground of bad people doing bad things. And from a violence perspective, carnage is alive and well but not to the point of Rob Zombie’s always-in-your-face style. All of this makes for a more “believable” killer and as such, a better movie going experience. There’s less to poke holes in with fans of 70s and 80s style horror feeling right at home.
Jamie Lee Curtis gives a good performance in her role as the victim-turned-heroine. There aren’t as many jump scares as you might expect (or hope for) but the tension is always hovering at a mid to high range. For a sequel with this much time between the films, Halloween remains vigilant in its ability to stay on point while delivering frightful moments and some fun time at the theater. Take a little time beforehand if possible and set the mood, as well as your mind, by watching the original so that the story being told in this later chapter flows in a natural progression. You can meet this new “old” evil just in time to give you an extra chill during this Trick-or-Treat season.
