The new "Halloween" directed by David Gordon Green, who also wrote the film along with Danny McBride. This film was one I was most excited for at the beginning of 2018, and it certainly did not disappoint.
There are a lot of great moments of this film, but there are also a lot of aspect that bring it down to earth, mostly involving 21st century horror tropes. However, there is still a lot to like about the newest installment of the Michael Myers story.
"Halloween," (the third film in the frachise to be named so, I wish they just named it "Michael Myers" or something) is the creation of Gordon Green and Danny McBride, but John Carpenter, the write and director of the original, is an executive producer and also composes the score. In terms of actors, the film features Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her role as Laurie Strode, Judy Greer as Karen Strode, and Andi Matichak as Allyson Strode.
Curtis is excellent in her comeback, showing her acting prowess once again. She plays somewhat of a Last Jedi Luke Skywalker role, clearly affected by the trauma that Michael had caused 40 years ago. She really makes this role her own, and I really thought I was watching Laurie Strode from 40 years ago, not Jaime Lee Curtis herself. That is a real sign of a great actress.
Also, James Jude Courtney and the original Myers, Nick Castle trade off playing The Shape. I really love Michael's pure rage and savagery. Jude Courtney and Castle really display the creepiness, but also the sheer mercilessness of Michael Myers. Finally, Michael Myers is scary again thanks to some competent acting and recognition in terms of the original.
In terms of writing, I feel it's fairly well thought out and organized. There are definitely a few leaps and risks that the film takes, especially in the third act, but I overall was satisfied with the plot. There are a few characters I wish we had more of, and some I wish we had less of, but the everything pays off pretty well by the end credits.
I was also definitely disappointed by the amount of 2000s trope-ish horror. At some points I felt like I was watching "Happy Death Day," but in the Halloween universe. While the later sequels are definitely campy, the new reboots should not be. This is the 2010s, the era of cheesy, corny horror is over. Please. Make a 100% serious movie, like the original. We don't need any more corny humor in the Myers franchise.
Though, I feel the best aspect of the entire movie is the score done by John Carpenter. Not only is it fresh, but it's at the same time nostalgic, if you can imagine that. There are certainly some new takes on old themes that I enjoyed, and the original iconic Halloween them is used quite well.
IS IT WORTH IT?
I was relatively surprised by the quality of the new "Halloween." I definitely enjoyed myself watching it and felt it was legitimately scary and suspenseful. It's a well made blockbuster horror film in a time period where blockbuster horror films have been, as a tradition, lackluster. This film goes back to the franchise roots and features many callback that longtime franchise fans will love, and newcomers will see as effective horror.
