Halloween

HALLOWEEN

Director : David Gordon Green

Year : 2018

Genre : Horror

Rating : ****

40 years after carving his place into the annals of horror history, serial killer extraordinaire and William Shatner superfan Michael Myers returns to slice up a whole new generation in 'Halloween', David Gordon Green's hugely entertaining follow-up to John Carpenter's seminal 1978 slasher classic that updates the formula for modern audiences while also maintaining the DNA that made it's predecessor such a cinematic landmark. Wiping the series slate clean by negating every sequel made after the original film - gratefully including Rob Zombie's dreary reboot, 'Halloween' sees the psychopathic Myers once again stalking the pumpkin-laden streets of Haddonfield, Illinois and slaughtering any one who is unfortunate enough to cross his path. However this time, he has met his match in the form of a PTSD-stricken Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), the only survivor of Michael's last murderous rampage who has all but alienated her family to prepare for his inevitable return. 

From the script to the cinematography, it is obvious that Green and fellow screenwriters Danny McBride and Jeff Fradley are massive devotees of the original movie and every single second of 'Halloween' is imbued with a passion and love that so few studio horror films can boast today. Several scenes very cleverly mirror key set pieces from the 1978 picture to superbly ingenious effect and there are even a few visual nods that effortlessly tap into the nostalgic love many of us horror aficionados have for this most perfect of movies. Unfortunately, this adoration can sometimes work against the film and there a few moments in 'Halloween' that come across as little more than onanistic fan-service. However, these are minor blips in an otherwise fun and sometimes scary viewing experience that should easily satisfy the bloodlust of those let down by over 35 years of franchise film-making; although I must admit to a soft spot for Tommy Lee Wallace's non-canonical yet sorely underrated 'Halloween  III : Season Of The Witch'.

Following in the noble footsteps of Carpenter, director Green treats the iconic figure of Michael Myers like an unstoppable force of nature, an emotionless killing machine devoid of empathy or reason and it is this robot-like inhumanity that makes him a consistently terrifying presence throughout the films zippy duration. Many of the deaths are startlingly dark and unlike many mainstream horrors released today, 'Halloween' isn't afraid to kill off those of a younger age in an equally brutal fashion. However, while Myers effortlessly regains his crown as the king of cinematic slashers with relentless cruelty, it is the incomparable Jamie Lee Curtis who steals the show as "final girl'' Laurie who over the course of 40 years has transformed from a meek and timid babysitter into a fearless and fearsome avenging angel. Michael may be the star attraction but there is no doubt that 'Halloween' belongs to Curtis and she relishes the role with empowering amounts of gusto and force.

2018's 'Halloween' may not be as good as John Carpenter's genre-defining original - but then again very few slasher films are. Some audience members have complained that the film doesn't exactly excel in the gore department and despite a couple of intensely violent and protracted scenes of carnage,  I would agree that 'Halloween' could probably have gotten away with the more inclusive 15 rather than a commercially restrictive 18 BBFC rating. Nevertheless, it is a satisfyingly suspenseful, frequently funny and deeply respectful coda to one of the most important and most influential horror films ever made and I greatly look forward to the further adventures of Mickey and Laurie in the years to come.