Halloween (2018) Review

 

Halloween (2018)

40 years after the events of Halloween 1978, Halloween follows Laurie Strode, who faces a terrifying reunion with her attempted killer after Michael Myers escapes prison and returns to Haddonfield. This time though, she's ready.

Simply titled ‘Halloween’ (a title that still irks me), this spiritual reboot/sequel finally takes us back to where it all started and gives us a direct follow up to the events of the original Halloween, foregoing all of the awful sequels to follow and really returning this series to its’ roots. What’s interesting this time around though is Laurie and how clearly the events of the original have affected her over the years. Gone is the sweet, young babysitter and in her place is a grizzled and paranoid grandmother who is constantly on the offensive, with much of the imagery of this film paralleling Michael in the original, having Laurie take the place of the hunter to some extent. And while having him break out just ahead of the 40 year anniversary of his murder spree is a bit lazy, in many ways, it feels like destiny fulfilling itself and reuniting these two, who for one reason or another have persisted either out of hatred or for the lust to kill. 

What this film gets right, it gets it right in strides. We get a much higher and bloodier body count out of Michael and just about every scene with him is a violent and brutal affair. The updated score, done by a returning John Carpenter is also quite thrilling and adds a haunting misery every time the cords ring out over scenes. Definitely could’ve used more of the original score though (why mess with such a good thing?). 

As far as modern horrors go, I also quite like the new cast, starring Haluk Bilginer, Judy Greer, Will Patton, James Jude Courtney, Andi Matichak, Nick Castle, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The on-screen presence both Courtney and original Michael actor Nick Castle is honestly an unbeatable duo, as they both nail the movement and intimidation factor that Michael brings every time he’s on screen. Curtis also returns, better than ever, with her riveting, offensive performance such an interesting approach when compared with her first appearance. 

Halloween, directed by David Gordon Green, is no doubt a fun and thrilling follow up to the original, and while it does play it pretty safe, it admirably tries something new, heavily leaning on the past in order to introduce Halloween to a new generation of audiences.

8.1/10