HALLOWEEN REVIEW

Its been 40 years since Laurie Strode survived a vicious attack from crazed killer Michael Myers on Halloween night. Locked up in an institution, Myers manages to escape when his bus transfer goes horribly wrong. Laurie now faces a terrifying showdown when the masked madman returns to Haddonfield, Illinois – but this time, she’s ready for him.

Halloween stars Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her role as Laurie Strode. The film co-stars Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Will Patton, Virginia Gardner, Nick Castle, James Jude Courtney, Haluk Bilginer, Toby Huss, Jefferson Hall and Rhian Rees.  

One of the most notable aspects of Halloween is the manner in which it feels like a natural sequel and evolution to the original way back in 1978. Comparisons in the way the movie sets itself up can be made to The Force Awakens. Not just the tone and story but the characters. As we meet Laurie Strode in Halloween we meet a woman who is wary, and battle hardened by her previous experience with Myers. In many respects, Halloween is focused on the coming showdown between Laurie and Myers to which it works very well especially in the second half of the movie as the hunter becomes the hunted and vice versa. The characterisation of the supporting cast is done to great effect especially the family dynamic as Laurie tries to protect her daughter, Karen and granddaughter Allyson. The dynamic between these 3 are central to the movie and the thorough plotline of the entire film. However, the reactions these characters have to events in the movie does feel awkward. As people are killed they seem to be oblivious to this fact. Yet, they are not characters who are void of emotion and that is why it is most problematic.

                                                    

                                                                   The Final Conflict.....or is it

       

Being a horror movie, we can expect a variety of deaths and in this the movie was rather inventive deciding to freshen the slasher genre up by creating different ways to kill people. The slasher genre is one that has been around for nearly 50 years now and so to a certain extent whatever the movie presents we are likely to have seen before. However, the film seems aware of the fact the genre has become saturated and softened in recent years especially with the rise of the PG-13. On this note, Halloween does not pull any punches and some of the deaths and the way that they are done might be a *bit* too much for some people as certain lines may have been crossed. At one point I wondered if they were going to cross the line completely, but the film does not go there and pulls back.

As a slasher there is a number of female characters on display and it is here I find the film most problematic in regard to its content. The film seems to still occupy the male gaze and treat women as plot devices, even if the main leads are indeed women. Times are changing, and the treatment of women seems to fall into the same trap as slashers of yesteryear. If it was not for the issue of the male gaze then Halloween might have been viewed as a good female empowerment film but seeing plot points occur I just get flashbacks to the ‘fridging’ of female characters that occurred in Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

                                                       

                                                           A smart sequel but not without its problems. 

Having wiped out most of the continuity of the previous films in the franchise and keeping just the original the film had two choices; embrace connections to the original or build its own story and be connected through the Halloween name only. However, the film boldly chooses the former. Halloween contains plenty of homages to the original but not in an overt manner. One will only truly pick up on all of them if they are a diehard fan of the original. The film works on its own standalone basis but is a stronger piece if one has seen the original. Furthermore, the aesthetic of Halloween is consistent right from the cinematography to the title cards and opening credits which put m straight into the mindset as though I was watching the original for the very first time again.

One final aspect that should be mentioned is the score done by John Carpenter with his son. Whilst it is most certainly the original score the remixing brought a modern feeling to it. The creepiness that one expects is most certainly prevalent and Carpenter deserves full credit here. The old boy has still got it.