A Reel Review: HALLOWEEN

The latest entry in the long-running HALLOWEEN series feels like an effort to apologize. After a wonderful start in 1978 by John Carpenter, the series has been plagued with lousy sequels, odd breaks in continuity, and divisive remakes. This new HALLOWEEN gains early positive points by serving as a direct follow-up to the 1978 film and ignoring all those redundant sequels. That is a good thing, but a concept is only half the battle. 

Forty years after the events of the first film, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), is still traumatized by the bloody attacks by Michael Myers (Nick Castle/James Jude Courtney). While Michael rots in prison, Laurie trains herself in weaponry and prepares for his inevitable return…which estranges her from her adult daughter Karen (Judy Greer), and her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak). 

Directed by David Gordon Green, this HALLOWEEN is right away similar to the original film in tone and style; it’s light on plot and leans heavily on atmosphere and dread. The storyline is simple; Michael, of course, escapes and picks up right where he left off, while Laurie deals with her PTSD and readies herself for another confrontation…with the added burden of trying to keep her family safe even though they want nothing to do with her. The early goings of the film spend a lot of time catching up with Laurie and Michael, almost to the point of a grind, but once Michael is out and loose and the killing and stabbing begins, it certainly feels like a HALLOWEEN film. The extended family members are a nice touch, as it gives Laurie something to fight for other than herself, and steps are also taken to remind us that there is indeed a man behind that mask. All that makes this sequel a unique entry. 

But for a film that asks us to ignore all the previous sequels, it certainly reminds us often that they were once there. A lot of plot points and situations are recycled and revisited, with just enough of a new dressing that they can get away with it. Even the 2007 remake is borrowed from; Michael’s brutality, a gas station bloodbath, and early scenes in the prison would have felt right at home in that film. For the most part it works, but there is certainly a feeling of been-there, done-that going on. 

David Gordon-Green does put together an effective horror flick. Michael’s trademark vanishing acts and re-appearances are well-timed and executed, and the near colorless aesthetic adds to the creepiness; it doesn’t quite match the uneasy feeling that the 1978 film had, but it’s close. Characters are developed on the light side, with just enough given away, although a late-film twist involving Michael’s doctor (wonderfully played by Haluk Bilginer), is stupid and meaningless.

Acting is very good. Jamie Lee Curtis digs deep and finds ways to make her character work in several ways; broken, loving, emotional, and strong. It’s an impressive performance. Judy Greer is great as always, and has one of the film’s best moments. The show is nearly stolen by Andi Matichak, who goes through a lot and she earns her place right next to Curtis. 

Anyone who has ever seen a horror film, or any of the HALLOWEEN films can see what’s coming in the third act; big battle, the girls escape, bad guy maybe or maybe-not done away with for good. While this sequel does indeed serve as the better follow-up to the 1978 version, it flies too closely to the old pattern by taking very little chances. But all movies should be judged as if nothing else exists, and by that standard this same-name sequel works as a horror film; it is scary, un-nerving, and good enough to watch with the lights out during the time of year when the leaves fall. Just like they did in 1978.

BOTTOM LINE: See it