Halloween Review

I wasn't going to mention John Carpenter in this review at all except for this one statement. And that is exactly the point! John Carpenter isn't included at all in this version of Halloween except for the creation of the original characters and plot.

A lot of people feel that the original Halloween should be untouched territory. That it was perfect the way it was. And I agree with them! The original Halloween was not just an incredible horror film, but a great movie in general. It is, in fact, my favorite horror film of all time. Enter Rob Zombie. Not just with a sequel, mind you, but a movie with the simple title "Halloween." A remake? I was not excited to say the least. Especially when there was talk about Zombie not knowing if he wanted to use the original mask or an alternative.

However--

***SPOILERS***

Rob Zombie did use the original mask. Yes he changed it a bit. The expression on the mask was not as "emotionless", which I think was very important that it remained that way. Another change was the dirt and grime added due to the mask being buried under the floor of his old house for fifteen years. Yes, that makes since, but I preferred the pure white mask that you could see more clearly in a dark room. Very creepy. Yet, despite the minor changes I didn't exactly agree with, I was able to looks past them and even appreciate them to an extent.

I've never been a big fan of Rob Zombie to begin with, and that's what took me off guard with this film. I felt that Zombie's style and directing ability have matured a great amount since his last two films. I actually found myself admiring some of the direction. I loved the instability of the camera during the "hunting" scene with Laurie. I also loved how much darker this version of Halloween turned out to be. It gives Michael even more of an evil edge.

The movie itself was terrifying when it wanted to be. I have not found myself more on edge with a horror film in a LONG time. Michael Myers was brutal in this version. Yes, he would bust through walls in the original, but not the way he did in this one. Tyler Mane's Michael Myers was a monster, and he didn't hide any of that from the audience. When Laurie is running out of the house and Michael comes walking out behind her, it is not reminiscent of the old Michael who would just casually follow. This Michael Myers comes stomping out like a predator determined to get his prey. Not only his he determined, he's furious! And you can see it!

Another thing I really liked was that Michael did not want to kill his sister at first. He wanted to reunite with her. But because she didn't understand that and stabbed him in the back, or the shoulder for that matter, his child-inside personality kicks in to kill anything that he considers to be not for him, but against him.

As for Dr. Loomis, I thought Malcolm McDowell did a fine job. He looked and sounded much like Donald Pleasance, (as much he could). I also liked how Michael and Loomis, though they had much different perspectives, had a respect, even a soft spot for each other. Michael could've killed Loomis, but did not. Perhaps it was because he was too focused on his sister. Even so, the connection was still apparent.

I loved the ending. Laurie screaming her head off while straddled across her dead brother that she just shot in the head at point plank. Blood covering her chin. And then the close up of her screaming in terror with the sound of police sirens getting closer. Credits. I loved it.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed Rob Zombie's Halloween. I think one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much is because I did not have a problem comparing it to the original at all. I didn't have a problem, meaning I simply didn't compare them. The thought did not enter my mind. I did not consider this a remake. For fans to really see this movie for what it is, the have to truly realize this is not Carpenter's Halloween! It's just a different version. One that went deeper into the person of Michael Myers. And while some might argue that the mystery of Michael Myers was one of the very aspects that made him so scary (and I agree), I still enjoyed his story line and was able to continue to fear his icon just as effectively, if not more, because if his beefed up, barbaric personality.

Well done, Rob. I don't know if I'll ever enjoy another one of your movies as much as I did this one, but you've shown me you do have some talent after all. No sequels, though! Michael Myers is DEAD!

P.S. Thank you for keeping the original music! It was scary as hell!

Rating 9/10

God Bless. Jer. 32:27
John L. Pelzel