David Gordon Green

Halloween [Film] (2018)

RENALDO69

I may be stepping on toes here but the Halloween franchise is one of the most overrated horror franchises ever. John Carpenter's first film took forever to get going, and despite a tight, character-driven script, the acting and slasher-execution felt way subpar compared to the likes of Jason and Freddy Krueger. Now, I admit, I'm probably in the minority who enjoyed what Rob Zombie did as I felt his reboot breathed fresh life into the franchise. Well, I'm pleased to say David Gordon Green does the same here, revitalizing the legend of Michael Meyers and Laurie Strode in leaps and bounds.

There are quite a few positives to take from this -- the killings, the jump scares, the cinematography, the writing, the acting -- and it feels like Green, Danny McBride (yes, that Danny McBride) and Co. really did their homework. It's a lot of fan service and easter eggs unfolding as they scrap the sequels of old and pick up right after the '78 original, with the incarcerated Meyers escaping and hunting Laurie, only this time Jaime Lee Curtis has an arsenal ready.

What stands out though is the Jaws-like approach and subtle direction Green employs, hiding Meyers mostly but when he does pop up, his presence is so large and intimidating. Which is what I felt most of the previous movies failed to do -- build up the myth and the monster, while balancing it with the man. There are some gory Mortal Kombat-esque fatalities thrown in to spice up the theme of family (particularly the Strodes who see him as part of their legacy and an overall haunting curse). That's the fun factor, but still it's a lot of substance mixed in with style, because it's about Laurie's PTSD, failed relationships and I believe, a statement on how incompetent cops are at times.

Now, the traps set do get silly, there are elements of the supernatural realm and cults which previous sequels sucked at pulling off, and for some reason no one shoots for the head. But that aside, Halloween has enough thrills, suspense and yes, a very open ending, that'll leave you wanting more.