Directed by:
Rick RosenthalCinematography:
Dean CundeyCast:
Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Charles Cyphers, Jeffrey Kramer, Lance Guest, Pamela Susan Shoop, Ana Alicia, Leo Rossi, Dick Warlock, Dana Carvey (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Shaken and injured from her battle with unkillable psycho Michael Myers, Laurie Strode is taken to the Haddonfield Hospital for observation, while Dr. Sam Loomis continues his desperate search for his monstrous patient. After slashing his way through the town, Myers manages to track Laurie to the hospital. Numerous night-shift employees are slaughtered in a variety of gruesome ways as Myers closes in on his fixation. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (4)
Again, no. Halloween is the weakest cult franchise for me. I can get over the fact that the film has weak actors and minimal story just fine, but what I can't get over is the lack gore and suspense, the slow pacing and the total lack of atmosphere. Myers is the most boring and weakest horror character ever. He doesn't use any original weapon, he always teleports behind the victim for only 10 seconds, slashes and disappears again (so no time for suspense), if the characters are dying after one stab and with no blood, why on earth don’t they at least fight back! If Myers was chasing them, there would have been a fight, throwing the victims against the walls, it would have looked different, unfortunately he walks slowly and calmly; no respect, he doesn't talk, he doesn't really have anything apart from his mask. 1* for the soundtrack, which I have to praise and is very appropriately chosen, and the second * for the Halloween theme and one exposed breast. Rosemary's Killer from the same year is on a whole other level in terms of gore, atmosphere and the killer himself.
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The script has its flaws. There are shortcomings associated with the need to maintain tension and let Myers' character develop to the end, but at the same time, there are moments that completely grip and astonish you. The killing is much more inventive than before and Michael uses everything he can get his hands on. He's cruel, he's unstoppable, and therein lies his power. A sequel that defies the fate of most others, and is at least as good as the first film.
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In 1981, Carpenter had his hands full with Escape from New York, so he passed the baton of the franchise along with his script to Rick Rosenthal. As a debutant, Rosenthal sometimes had to take inspiration from his teacher (the play with lights and shadows, the use of music, the first-person view), but in terms of suspense, he is able to boldly match Carpenter. Never mind the nagging thoughts about the overly empty hospital or Michael's stamina. Anyone who doesn't get the chills while standing by newborns or taking a hot bath is a major bore. 4 ½.
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Halloween II could be seen as an extension of the first, if only because it takes place right after it. This time the action moves to a hospital, which is always a rewarding place for horror films. I liked the first half better, it doesn't lack suspense, even the simple but all the more iconic theme song works the second time around. But in the second half, which was also suspenseful, there certain illogical, even silly moments that began to bother me. Mike Myers is overly resistant (he clearly doesn't mind boiling water) and Laurie crawls or runs around as she sees fit. I understand that this is supposed to be a B-movie slasher from a time when the line between the living and the dead is at its narrowest, but everything in moderation when it comes to the (in)mortality of some of the characters.
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Gallery (124)
Photo © Universal Pictures
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