It is well-documented that I am not a fan of the wave of remakes, sequels, and reboots that have hit us in recent years. My own favorites are not exempt, as seen in the “Alien” franchise. Some stories warrant more chapters to them, but at what point does it just become a cash grab? With another “Halloween” film on the way, I was just as worried as I have been with other ones as I entered the screening for sure.
Directed by David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express) and starring Jamie Lee Curtis (from the original), Judy Greer (Jurassic World), Andi Matichak (Underground), Haluk Bilginer (Ben-Hur), Will Patton (Armageddon), and Jibrail Nantambu (Preacher), this film ignores everything after the original film and takes place forty years later where Laurie Strode (Curtis) is sheltered after losing her daughter (Greer) to CPS, straining their relationship. Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney along with the original portrayer in Nick Castle) has been in a mental facility and currently studied by Dr. Sartain (Bilginer) and been completely silent, even after being provoked by a couple of young people for their online show. When a prisoner transfer goes wrong, Michael escapes to return in order to finish the job he started so long ago as he terrorizes Laurie and her family.
I actually liked this film on many fronts. By ignoring all of the sequels (both good and bad), I enjoyed seeing the homages to the past while having some of the original actors back, including even some of the cinematography. While watching “Halloween,” the words “respectful” and “legacy” kept coming to mind, and that is a good thing.
As always, this is not for the entire family due to the violence and adult situations involved down to the butcher knife that remains a character in itself. The intensity is ratcheted up here in the moments leading up to the mask being put on along with the score that has lasted the test of time. This is one of those sequels that I truly enjoyed and will give it the coveted full-price in theaters rating!