Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome to the final part of my movie review of Halloween special.
Well, i've done talking about a ventriloquist gone mad for haunting Halloween and a former reporter became a host from the Symbiote, we're reaching one genre that i haven't covered, Slasher movie.
Over decades, we're familiar of horror films with classic monsters, as time goes, many people in Hollywood or in indie films are making horror films in violence level, like Psycho in 1960, Night of the living dead in 1968 and few more in the old days. But then we have Halloween in 1978, this is the film that it gave birth of slasher genre and it is no wonder why it became a horror classic. But like we all know, its rather debatable that there's Black Christmas in 1974 that it may considered as the first slasher, but i digress.
For Halloween, not only it became the most successful horror film (since it was done in low-budget about $300,00 or $325,000), but also made an inspirational slasher films like "Friday the 13th", "Nightmare on Elm Street" or sometimes make fun of cliches like "Scream". Though if you ask me about the Halloween sequels, well, it went alright to S***. But don't worry, im not talking about those crappy sequels, there had been a reboot sequels like H20 in 1998 and the one that il talking about today.
"Halloween 2018" is... Well, a 2018 slasher film that was written/directed by David Gordon Green, produced by Malek Akkad, Jason Blum and Bill Block, and written by Jeff Fradley and Danny McBride.
Like i said before, when it comes to sequels, its a different story that most of them are alright to god awful that we don't wanna talking about. Unless you counted "Halloween 3: Season of the witch", it had nothing to do with the series, since it was poor attempt of anthology series. After Halloween 6 that it killed off the franchise, it was rebooted with sequels like the mentioned H20, but ended up badly which it also killed off after "Halloween Resurrection" (aka "Halloween: Busta Rhymes vs Michael Myers"). Except for Rob Zombie's Halloween, because they're also a different story.
So now we have a second sequel reboot, will this movie holds up to bringing slasher back, or is this film really deserve to be watched in sanitarium?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
After 40 years when Laurie Strode was saved by Sam Loomis from Michael Myers, Michael was taken to a new facility and Sam Loomis had passed away. The podcasters Aaron Korey and Dana Haines entered the facility for the interview of Dr. Ranbir Sartain for what happened and then they attempt to talking at Michael about the past, but refuses to talk. Later on, they also going to interviewing with Laurie Strode, but failed for bribing that she kicked out, since she's suffering PTSD after 40 years that she wants revenge over Michael. Meanwhile after the bus was sabotaged, Michael is escaped and murdered podcasters and some clerks in gas station, he wears back his classic outfit and going back to Haddonfielf, Illinois for killing spree and even targeting the Strode family, its up to Laurie has to save her family before the shape kills them.
Though its rather an interesting way to make a sequel of the first Halloween, ignoring all previous installments (especially without the mention of Michael Myers's survive from the fire, which is ridiculous that its more deader than gun shots.), i find the story feels more of a typical vengeful from the past, its like have we heard it before? Not only that, the movie also goes to a subplot to introducing Karen and Allyson, it may sounds interesting for them, if they could've give more development. Accept for Karen, but we'll got the characters later. And you're probably wondering about the plot element of babysit? Well, it has that, but it was only use for second act and thats about it, which it kinda feels like a filler. But the most unnecessary part is the party scene for a Allyson and her boyfriend, i know it supposed to give a character development, but does this have to do witht he plot? Nothing, its probably an obvious filler.
The story itself is nice for sequel of the first Halloween, but it would've been better for good development for maybe more backstory and possibly avoiding cliches.
Though its rather an interesting way to make a sequel of the first Halloween, ignoring all previous installments (especially without the mention of Michael Myers's survive from the fire, which is ridiculous that its more deader than gun shots.), i find the story feels more of a typical vengeful from the past, its like have we heard it before? Not only that, the movie also goes to a subplot to introducing Karen and Allyson, it may sounds interesting for them, if they could've give more development. Accept for Karen, but we'll got the characters later. And you're probably wondering about the plot element of babysit? Well, it has that, but it was only use for second act and thats about it, which it kinda feels like a filler. But the most unnecessary part is the party scene for a Allyson and her boyfriend, i know it supposed to give a character development, but does this have to do witht he plot? Nothing, its probably an obvious filler.
The story itself is nice for sequel of the first Halloween, but it would've been better for good development for maybe more backstory and possibly avoiding cliches.
The Production
Since this is a horror slasher film with between 10 or 15 million dollars of budget, i find the presentation of this film is actually pretty nice.
At first, when i watched it, i was expected that it was filmed in California, but in reality, it was filmed in Charleston, South California. Kinda disappointed, but not a bad filming location of small town, gas station, woods and even Laurie's guard house. Speaking of Laurie's home, i find it to be pretty cool, like it has a secret room underground with guns and other stuff, the other room has a module of Myers's house and even trap doors. Its almost like she's putting traps, but not an actual traps, but more of trap doors.
Since this is a horror slasher film, you're probably wondering about the body counts? Well, the body counts are kinda similar from before, but probably brutal. Especially some body counts shown whats happening, such as the scene where the shape smashes a victim to the wall, stabbing a victim through the throat or even where he opens his hands that he drops several teeth, which my only guess he brutally killed one victim by tearing off teeth, right? And for the mask, its pretty obvious his mask remains the same as we all know and love. The mask was done in life cast to make it looks aged and weathered, i find the mask itself is nice way for continuation after 40 years to make it looks dirtier and maybe more disturbing.
However, since the presentation of cinematography looks pretty nice and slightly disturbing, but sometimes it gets too dark. I know it was supposed to have more suspenseful in the dark, but its just that sometimes we may barely see anything for whats happening, especially through the night. I know it maybe unnecessary for nitpicking about dark cinematography, but thats just my own problem since i watched Godzilla 2014. But probably the most annoying part of the movie (for obvious cliche) is the use of fake jumpscares, i mean we're building up to see what's going on next like the attack or even the reveal body count, but sometimes it used out of nowhere like some characters randomly appears in front of main characters or even cheap pranks.
The production of this movie is pretty good and kinda nostalgia, even if some parts of presentation might have some flaws.
At first, when i watched it, i was expected that it was filmed in California, but in reality, it was filmed in Charleston, South California. Kinda disappointed, but not a bad filming location of small town, gas station, woods and even Laurie's guard house. Speaking of Laurie's home, i find it to be pretty cool, like it has a secret room underground with guns and other stuff, the other room has a module of Myers's house and even trap doors. Its almost like she's putting traps, but not an actual traps, but more of trap doors.
Since this is a horror slasher film, you're probably wondering about the body counts? Well, the body counts are kinda similar from before, but probably brutal. Especially some body counts shown whats happening, such as the scene where the shape smashes a victim to the wall, stabbing a victim through the throat or even where he opens his hands that he drops several teeth, which my only guess he brutally killed one victim by tearing off teeth, right? And for the mask, its pretty obvious his mask remains the same as we all know and love. The mask was done in life cast to make it looks aged and weathered, i find the mask itself is nice way for continuation after 40 years to make it looks dirtier and maybe more disturbing.
However, since the presentation of cinematography looks pretty nice and slightly disturbing, but sometimes it gets too dark. I know it was supposed to have more suspenseful in the dark, but its just that sometimes we may barely see anything for whats happening, especially through the night. I know it maybe unnecessary for nitpicking about dark cinematography, but thats just my own problem since i watched Godzilla 2014. But probably the most annoying part of the movie (for obvious cliche) is the use of fake jumpscares, i mean we're building up to see what's going on next like the attack or even the reveal body count, but sometimes it used out of nowhere like some characters randomly appears in front of main characters or even cheap pranks.
The production of this movie is pretty good and kinda nostalgia, even if some parts of presentation might have some flaws.
The Characters
After 40 years, we expected to see how our old characters have a new development and the new casts?
For starter, we have our famous protagonist Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), from before she's student and being called for babysitting Tommy that we all know, she's somewhat independent and nervous. In this year's sequel, she's suffering PTSD over Michael Myers after decades, which it droves her very mad that she wants to kill him. I find her changing persona actually works that we're rooting for her that we like see her beating up at the shape, its like H20, but at least she didn't change her name.
As for Michael Myers (played by Nick Castle for minimal of acting and James Jude Courtney for stunts), there's not much else to say, he's a silent murderer who's targeting at Strode family his reason of pure evil. Unlike in final act what we see the villain's face, you can see his face a bit from the first act. when we saw his face (don't miss it if you blink), he looks terribly aged since he's been in sanitarium. Though there's some subplot that he said one word, but that didn't happen, which totally unfair that we like to hear it, but then again, he's a silent killer.
And you're probably wondering about Sam Loomis that most characters mentioned? Sadly, he didn't make appearance, which we all know he's famously played by Donald Pleasence. However, he was written off as a mentioned character, because Donald was passed away in 1995 (the year of my birth).
As for the new casts? Well, they're rather bellow average to describe them.
For starter, we have a new psychiatrist named Ranbir Sartain (played by Haluk Bilginer), he's a replacement from Sam Loomis, though i find him to be not bad, but he's not as great than Loomis for interesting lines and his appearance slightly small. Though Haluk did a nice job, but again, Ranbir wasn't feel believable as Loomis.
Then we have Karen Nelson (played by Judy Greer) though she's rather a typical mother, but she did gave her character development from the past that she was dealing with bullies and trained herself, its a nice development, but why can't she joined her mother Laurie for a fist fight against Michael, i guess she's been aged that she doesn't want to break her wrists. But to be fair, i might say Judy did a nice work of her role.
As for Karen's daughter, Allyson (played by Andi Matichak), though im assuming that she's supposed to be the next Laurie Strode in the movie, but she's rather a lame character. She's just a generic girl who sees a boy to fell in love, before walked away from early cheat. Talk about the most cliche development ever. Though Andi did alright, but her development is forgettable.
As for the rest, there's aren't anything to say, which if you've seen most of slasher film, most of characters has a typical personalities and do like any teenagers do, smoking pot, drinking and sexing. But those are like golden rules that if anyone does that, they'll be killed off.
Unless there's one kid that i think he's smart is Julian Morrisey (played by young Jibrail Nantambu), despite a typical kid, but he's probably knew the babysitter Vicky (played by Virginia Gardner, and not to be confused with the one with a same name from "The Fairly Odd Parents" show.) does like any teenagers do. Which Spoiler Alert, Vick is obviously a body count from the shape.
The characters are rather bellow average with some characters is nice to see them again (like Laurie and Michael), while the new casts had some nice development (like Karen), but others are forgettable or even ditsy as the first Halloween, but at least some characters didn't overusing the word "Totally" for drinking game, otherwise il be dead from alcohol poiso-- Oh wait, im not into a alcohol drinker.
For starter, we have our famous protagonist Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), from before she's student and being called for babysitting Tommy that we all know, she's somewhat independent and nervous. In this year's sequel, she's suffering PTSD over Michael Myers after decades, which it droves her very mad that she wants to kill him. I find her changing persona actually works that we're rooting for her that we like see her beating up at the shape, its like H20, but at least she didn't change her name.
As for Michael Myers (played by Nick Castle for minimal of acting and James Jude Courtney for stunts), there's not much else to say, he's a silent murderer who's targeting at Strode family his reason of pure evil. Unlike in final act what we see the villain's face, you can see his face a bit from the first act. when we saw his face (don't miss it if you blink), he looks terribly aged since he's been in sanitarium. Though there's some subplot that he said one word, but that didn't happen, which totally unfair that we like to hear it, but then again, he's a silent killer.
And you're probably wondering about Sam Loomis that most characters mentioned? Sadly, he didn't make appearance, which we all know he's famously played by Donald Pleasence. However, he was written off as a mentioned character, because Donald was passed away in 1995 (the year of my birth).
As for the new casts? Well, they're rather bellow average to describe them.
For starter, we have a new psychiatrist named Ranbir Sartain (played by Haluk Bilginer), he's a replacement from Sam Loomis, though i find him to be not bad, but he's not as great than Loomis for interesting lines and his appearance slightly small. Though Haluk did a nice job, but again, Ranbir wasn't feel believable as Loomis.
Then we have Karen Nelson (played by Judy Greer) though she's rather a typical mother, but she did gave her character development from the past that she was dealing with bullies and trained herself, its a nice development, but why can't she joined her mother Laurie for a fist fight against Michael, i guess she's been aged that she doesn't want to break her wrists. But to be fair, i might say Judy did a nice work of her role.
As for Karen's daughter, Allyson (played by Andi Matichak), though im assuming that she's supposed to be the next Laurie Strode in the movie, but she's rather a lame character. She's just a generic girl who sees a boy to fell in love, before walked away from early cheat. Talk about the most cliche development ever. Though Andi did alright, but her development is forgettable.
As for the rest, there's aren't anything to say, which if you've seen most of slasher film, most of characters has a typical personalities and do like any teenagers do, smoking pot, drinking and sexing. But those are like golden rules that if anyone does that, they'll be killed off.
Unless there's one kid that i think he's smart is Julian Morrisey (played by young Jibrail Nantambu), despite a typical kid, but he's probably knew the babysitter Vicky (played by Virginia Gardner, and not to be confused with the one with a same name from "The Fairly Odd Parents" show.) does like any teenagers do. Which Spoiler Alert, Vick is obviously a body count from the shape.
The characters are rather bellow average with some characters is nice to see them again (like Laurie and Michael), while the new casts had some nice development (like Karen), but others are forgettable or even ditsy as the first Halloween, but at least some characters didn't overusing the word "Totally" for drinking game, otherwise il be dead from alcohol poiso-- Oh wait, im not into a alcohol drinker.
And now for my final opinion of this film
Overall, "Halloween 2018" is a welcome return to celebrating 40th anniversary, but i don't think i would call it a best sequel, with the story is interesting, but done before, the presentation is pretty nice, despite of darkness cinematography and an annoying jumpscares and the characters are fifty-fifty with reprising role and some new characters aren't as interesting.
Though some say is a pretty good film for bringing back the old slasher since 1978, but others believe its a chasing in of the franchise. For me, again, its a nice return, but would've been better what we like to see. If you're a fan of slasher or Halloween series, i'd say give this one a watch, if not, just stick to the original one. But to be fair, the box-office was success that it was already announced to make a sequel and there's a rumor about the return of "Friday the 13th", thanks to the success.
I give this movie 6.5/10.
So this concludes of my Halloween special of movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out and Happy Halloween everyone.
Overall, "Halloween 2018" is a welcome return to celebrating 40th anniversary, but i don't think i would call it a best sequel, with the story is interesting, but done before, the presentation is pretty nice, despite of darkness cinematography and an annoying jumpscares and the characters are fifty-fifty with reprising role and some new characters aren't as interesting.
Though some say is a pretty good film for bringing back the old slasher since 1978, but others believe its a chasing in of the franchise. For me, again, its a nice return, but would've been better what we like to see. If you're a fan of slasher or Halloween series, i'd say give this one a watch, if not, just stick to the original one. But to be fair, the box-office was success that it was already announced to make a sequel and there's a rumor about the return of "Friday the 13th", thanks to the success.
I give this movie 6.5/10.
So this concludes of my Halloween special of movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out and Happy Halloween everyone.
