Micheal Myers Returns in Halloween

John Carpenter's Halloween has been regarded as the granddaddy of slasher films and laid the groundwork for future flicks like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th. Despite good performances from Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence and Nick Castle, I found the original Halloween trashy and dated that even the kills were boring to watch. Seven schlocky sequels and a repugnant reboot later, director David Gordon Green and co-writing partner Danny McBride give their take on the silent killer in what is now the eleventh Halloween movie.

Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode.

It's been forty years since Micheal Myers went on his murder spree. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her iconic role for fifth time), the sole survivor of that horrific night has ostracized herself from the world living in paranoia and fear. Everyday she prepares herself for the his eventual return;  so much so that her relationship with her daughter (Judy Freer) is strained and has more of a connection with her granddaughter (Andi Matichak). The day before Micheal is set to be transferred to a maximum prison, a pair of True Crime pod-casters visit the mental health facility where he is interred and later Laurie to find out more of this ordeal. Did I mention that it's the day before Halloween? Thus begins the return of Myers and the homicidal history repeats itself.

Our new victims-er I mean characters. 

If you were worried of not being caught up with this series, not to worry. The 1978 original is the only film you need to watch, as this iteration ignores every sequel that came after it. Halloween achives of being a good sequel on delivering scares and why its never a good idea provoke the boogeyman especially if he's been dormant for forty years. Like the first movie Jamie Lee Curtis excels as Laurie Strode now a bitter old woman traumatized by what Myers did to her and the effect it had on her psyche and family. For his brute size and having no dialogue, Myers continues to be a menacing presence. Special credit on the subtle hints of his motivations that are cleverly sprinkled around and use of the classic Halloween theme.

Laurie with her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and her daughter's husband Ray (Toby Huss)

If only the movie could had me care for the rest of the characters who could use a visit from Micheal or are just begging for it. The ones I do want to see more of are of course killed off easily. It's every dumb Horror movie that succumb to the many cliches like characters make idiotic choices, and others that I can't get into without giving away spoilers but lets just say that there have been discussions for sequels before the movie premiered. I thought The Amazing Spider-Man taught us any better.

Fans who enjoy these movies or looking for a entertainingly scary movie will like this new Halloween movie. I may not have enjoyed it as much but didn't feel ripped-off. As I said, it had some good and even funny moments and is well-directed. If this is not your cup of tea then you are better off trick-or-treating for another Halloween movie not involving Mr. Myers.

Final Verdict: C