Written by: Kevin Berge
Nothing says great sequel like just taking the name of the first film... and the terrible reboot attempt. (Image Courtesy of: inverse.com)
Quick Take: Halloween (2018) may try a little too hard to emulate the past, but what it amounts to is some of the strongest horror storytelling in recent memory. With an incredible lead performance from Jamie Lee Curtis and a script that builds well to its ferocious climax, this is a slasher movie that lives up to the legacy of the first.
***This review will not contain spoilers for Halloween (2018) beyond the basic set-up of the story. Those who not seen the film can read ahead without worry though there will be spoilers for all of the original Halloween from 1978.***
I have never been a big fan of horror films particularly violent bloody horror. Psychological thrillers have always been more my speed. That said, I can always appreciate a good movie, and the original Halloween is a pretty solid movie all on its own.
From James Carpenter's focused direction to the top notch climax, the film is billed as a classic for a reason that goes beyond establishing tropes for years to come. Since that time, the reception to the franchise has been less than impressive. Despite this, the franchise endured for 40 years to get to this latest entry.
Halloween (2018) tries really hard to establish itself as the only definitive sequel to the franchise (not that this franchise rebooting its timeline isn't a a running trend). It throws out even the 1981 direct sequel with throwaway lines. At first, this feels petty with the movie still alluding to kills and moments in other sequels.
Over time, this movie proves why it was necessary though because this isn't really a story about Michael Myers. It is the story of Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), and the effect Myers had on the way she treated her family especially her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak).
This franchise has repeatedly returned to the relationship between Laurie and Michael, most of the time with one killing the others before a hasty retcon to keep the franchise going. Halloween (2018) though isn't interested in any of those other stories. It just wants to explore how that one night of horror can haunt a victim forever.
In this way, this feels like the most mature film in the franchise (not in terms of graphic content but genuine adult storytelling). Director David Gordon Green (Stronger) brings a dramatic honesty to this franchise that it never had even as he keeps the tension high with a brutal slew of murders.
I have never been a big fan of horror films particularly violent bloody horror. Psychological thrillers have always been more my speed. That said, I can always appreciate a good movie, and the original Halloween is a pretty solid movie all on its own.
From James Carpenter's focused direction to the top notch climax, the film is billed as a classic for a reason that goes beyond establishing tropes for years to come. Since that time, the reception to the franchise has been less than impressive. Despite this, the franchise endured for 40 years to get to this latest entry.
Halloween (2018) tries really hard to establish itself as the only definitive sequel to the franchise (not that this franchise rebooting its timeline isn't a a running trend). It throws out even the 1981 direct sequel with throwaway lines. At first, this feels petty with the movie still alluding to kills and moments in other sequels.
Over time, this movie proves why it was necessary though because this isn't really a story about Michael Myers. It is the story of Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), and the effect Myers had on the way she treated her family especially her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak).
This franchise has repeatedly returned to the relationship between Laurie and Michael, most of the time with one killing the others before a hasty retcon to keep the franchise going. Halloween (2018) though isn't interested in any of those other stories. It just wants to explore how that one night of horror can haunt a victim forever.
In this way, this feels like the most mature film in the franchise (not in terms of graphic content but genuine adult storytelling). Director David Gordon Green (Stronger) brings a dramatic honesty to this franchise that it never had even as he keeps the tension high with a brutal slew of murders.
Jamie Lee Curtis has been in five Halloween movies at this point. She deserves an award just for getting through most of them. (Image Courtesy of: digitalspy.com)
None of this would work though without Jamie Lee Curtis (True Lies), who gives one of the best performances of her career by returning to arguably her most defining role (a running trend in recent Hollywood). Curtis sells Laurie's intensity and her trauma, selling herself as the same naive character just forever hardened by her experience.
She adds a legitimate weight to a movie that often gets sillier than it probably should. The screenplay was written by Green as well as Danny McBride (Pineapple Express) and Jeff Fradley (Vice Principals), who have all worked together before but only on comedies. Those comedic undertones in the script show through but don't take over.
It makes for an odd balance. None of the main characters are in on the jokes even when some of them make ridiculous statements. Karen especially is an oddly bland character until she tries to make weird payoff lines work. Judy Greer (13 Going on 30) isn't helping matters though with the weakest performance of the main cast.
When the movie is on though, it is electric. This is a far more action-packed film than the original which is trying to emulate. Myers' kills range from subtle and unseen to absurdly gory with many echoing past works. The film does not have a lot of original kills, but it uses the kills it emulates well.
The climax especially is spectacular horror. The build-up is consistently excellent with an empowering if ridiculous homestretch that does a great job justifying the entire movie's purpose in the canon. It is almost as impactful as the first film's game-changing climax.
Halloween (2018) needed a different name, but it still more than lives up to its potential. It is as good as the original even if it never strives to be as creative or impactful. From its early dramatic moments to its frantic horror climax, it is some of the most fun I've had watching a movie all year.
She adds a legitimate weight to a movie that often gets sillier than it probably should. The screenplay was written by Green as well as Danny McBride (Pineapple Express) and Jeff Fradley (Vice Principals), who have all worked together before but only on comedies. Those comedic undertones in the script show through but don't take over.
It makes for an odd balance. None of the main characters are in on the jokes even when some of them make ridiculous statements. Karen especially is an oddly bland character until she tries to make weird payoff lines work. Judy Greer (13 Going on 30) isn't helping matters though with the weakest performance of the main cast.
When the movie is on though, it is electric. This is a far more action-packed film than the original which is trying to emulate. Myers' kills range from subtle and unseen to absurdly gory with many echoing past works. The film does not have a lot of original kills, but it uses the kills it emulates well.
The climax especially is spectacular horror. The build-up is consistently excellent with an empowering if ridiculous homestretch that does a great job justifying the entire movie's purpose in the canon. It is almost as impactful as the first film's game-changing climax.
Halloween (2018) needed a different name, but it still more than lives up to its potential. It is as good as the original even if it never strives to be as creative or impactful. From its early dramatic moments to its frantic horror climax, it is some of the most fun I've had watching a movie all year.
