So I started October by binging the Halloween franchise over 2days, movies 1-10 (based on release date, Halloween (1978) being 1 and Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2 (2009) being 10. None of the Green Trilogy, although the 2 released are still fresh in my mind and both were more enjoyable than the majority of all the prior sequels I would suggest. The 18’ film is better than the 21’ film for the record), watching some I’ve never seen in the middle section and rewatching some. Overall it was worth my time, but there’s definitely filler in there.
Now on to thoughts. Halloween 78’ is still the legendary quintessential slasher and halloween film that masters and does so much so so well. Tension, dread, jump scares, direction, realism, the backstory, the murders and their style, the masked breathing, the incredibly catchy theme and score, etc. I’d argue it’s a masterpiece (although I know Pranzo does not feel the same).
Halloween 2 81’ is the best sequel of the bunch hands down. I’m quite surprised it’s not held in higher esteem, especially given the caliber of your average any genre sequel and average slasher movie. Carries off the same night directly where Halloween 78’ ends and hits the ground running. Creative enough, above average storyline, creepy and suspenseful setting, quality murders, and it builds on the Michael Myers and Laurie Strode mythos well, even with the controversial sister twister. Yes, it is obviously a bit derivative as almost all sequels are and Michael’s primeval-ness is toned down a bit, and of course it’s not the same “style stalker” the original itself was.
Halloween 3: Season of the Witch 82’, aka The Michael Myers-less Halloween, is not even a slasher film and probably shouldn’t even be included in this franchise and likely never should have been given the titling because of its film material. That aside, this is one of the off the beaten path risk taker Halloweens, and its results are overall bad, in a mostly unentertaining way. It’s too silly and absurd as it tries to create a discussion on child consumerism with some supernatural/sci-fi elements.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 88’ is the best Halloween film Jamie Lee Curtis was not cast in. Its storyline, spirit, and events are a one-off of the original film(s), having Michael hunt down his niece Jamie Lloyd, Laurie Strode’s daughter, instead of Laurie Strode. It has solid kills, stalking/tension/suspense, cops/townspeople hi-jinks, and our best acting and most powerful/memorable actor not named Curtis or Pleasance (or “the shape” arguably) in Danielle Harris the child. Not to mention a very shocking ending that is the most horrific and memorable in the franchise.
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 89’ is a direct continuation of 4 and further develops its story elements/main protagonist as well. Very similar to 4, albeit a bit more pedestrian and takes liberties/risks with the story that are a bit odd, a couple even farcical but subtle, including a bad ending. Of note, in this one we find out Michael’s frequent use and secret joy of driving cars.
Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers 95’ is another risk taker, and does so in many bad ways. Continuing on its poor choice ending for 5, it tries to add to the Myers mythos with explanations of Druid cults, curses, an evil baby, an “evil boy”, a conspiracy/conspiracal group, and a man in black. Tommy Doyle as a poorly written protagonist with an oddly contrived “Kara Strode” just throws more fuel on this chaotic fire. Last but not least, an inconclusive ending is used to seal the deal.
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later 98’ is the best sequel after 2 (81’) thanks to the return of Curtis alongside a direct continuation from said movie and aftermath of it all 20years later. Dealing with “witness protection” Laurie Strode and her functional but trauma-induced/alocholic existence as it follows on the main storyline(s) once more with great success and brings the most powerful character in the franchise back fully fleshed out form. Tension, pacing, and thrills are effectively elevated also in the franchise with this film. Not to mention, an excellent ending exists here too.
Halloween: Resurrection 02’ is what I’d call the so bad it’s good guilty pleasure of the franchise for me. It starts off with another heightened showdown between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, but don’t be fooled, this is not that type of movie. It feels like a parody and campy fan service(“a group of college kids spend a night exploring Michael's childhood home”), and is the first Halloween that tries to blatantly be funny and playful throughout the whole movie. Tonally, this is not a Halloween movie, but its results were laughable and fun for me. The dialogue is often comical and sometimes even surprisingly poignant. Why not even throw in some Kung Fu moves against “Mikey” Myers for good measure?
Rob Zombie’s Halloween 07’ I personally feel is a disservice to the spirit of and franchise of Halloween. Part unnecessary and unimaginative prequel, part dissociative representation of the original material, and altogether overlong. I’ve heard some call this “Zombie’s interpretation of the material”, but honestly it just feels like a cash grab from utilizing the Halloween nametag and Zombie doing his signature things and style that he’s known for. The vast majority of the film feels like he has a complete disconnect and no grasp on the material he’s using or the purpose behind it. The film is full of counterproductive choices and terrible dialogue and set-ups. Zombie honestly should have changed the villain’s name and identity and called it something else, then again that film would have made a lot less money and gotten a lot less notoriety, but at least then I could say it’s a ~mediocre slasher film with style.
Zombie’s Halloween 2 09’ is similar to it’s predecessor, and the white horse idea and Laurie Strode becoming a sociopath choices are again in terrible disconnected taste, but at least it doesn’t completely destroy Myers original image and appeal like the 07’ film, and the brutality and darkness is amped up a bit, making the film a bit more forgiving…I guess.
Altogether, I should make note that Pleasance as Loomis is great in all the movies he’s in. His presence and dialogue help build and enliven the Myers character arc and Halloween films. Him and Curtis are the spoken word characters lifeblood of the franchise. I’d like to say that the Green trio has been a solid success thus far, with 18’ being a breath of fresh air for a new generation as a fun effective homage with it’s own identity, and even 21’, while imperfect, is an above average sequel that’s brutal and stakes raising with some decent good intentioned risk taking.
Ranking them in order of quality and/or entertainment value:
1=Halloween (1978)
2=Halloween 2 (1981)
3=Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
4=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
5=Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
6=Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
7=Halloween 2 (2009)
8=Halloween 1 (2007)
9=Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
10=Halloween 3: Season of the Witch (1982)
