Forty years after the classic Halloween first terrorized audiences, a new sequel has breathed devilish life into the story. Don’t be fooled by the lacklustre appearance of this revamped studio property. It’s a terrific work of filmmaking.
For all the classic touches, this is no easy-going film. It harkens back to the good old days when horror movies were scary because they were suspenseful. At times, it can be difficult to watch in the best kind of way only smart horror can be. It’s so scary. It’s good and so good that it’s scary.
This new Halloween also provides a helpful service for more spiteful audiences. This new story from director David Gordon Green and a list of his friends is a new narrative that comes directly after the events of the classic 1978 Halloween.
What the means is the parade of boring, contradictory sequels that have been thrust upon viewers the last four decades are no longer part of the story’s timeline. It’s now more focused and precise, with no hiding spots to keep you safe.
It's the best Halloween movie in 40 years
In the years since Michael Myers was arrested for his now famous killing spree, Laurie Strode (a returning Jamie Lee Curtis) has been preparing for his vengeance upon her. Michael escapes from prison, and now he’s on the loose again for Laurie. Now her family is also at risk including her daughter whom she lost in a custody battle and her grand-daughter.
The women are the ones who pull the action together. Sure, having Curits’ Laurie in the 70's as a horror protagonist was progressive. There’s something gripping and truly satisfying to see three generations of women come together in the 2018 follow-up. It’s cohesive and dramatically tight.
Even better is seeing each of the women have their own moments of peril and opportunities to overcome them. Andi Matichuk especially gets great moments to play as Laurie’s granddaughter Allyson. Curiously, Myers isn’t the only monster she has to face.
There’s one scene that really captures some great (albeit grisly) movie magic. Without giving away too much, Michael Myers has a mid-film killing spree just as the holiday begins, and it’s a masterpiece. Nearly five minutes go by with the camera simply following Michael as he moves from victim to victim. It’s treacherously creative.
Personally, I do not enjoy most horror movies. Despite some creative, exciting exceptions, I find many of them distasteful and lazy. The laziness isn’t just in the thinly plotted storytelling either; it extends to barrages of cheap pop-up scares.
Halloween - the 2018 version - isn’t like that. There is substance here about how we empower our families and how we confront evils both outside and in. Combine this backbone with some engrossing characters like these and there’s a foundation for a really great movie.
Scenes of psychology, peril, action, heart, and unrelenting suspense amount to one of Universal’s best horror films since last year’s Get Out. But this one has the added charm of nostalgia. Michael’s latest hunt is unquestionably the best movie of the season.
Halloween
3 1/2 out of 4 stars
18A, 1hr 46mins. Horror Action Drama.
Directed by David Gordon Green.
Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Judy Greer, Will Patton, Virginia Gardner and Nick Castle.
Now Playing at Film.Ca Cinemas, Cineplex Winston Churchill and Cineplex Oakville & VIP.
