With a dash of nostalgia and plenty of Easter eggs, the latest film in the “Halloween” franchise falls short in the horror department, but makes up for it with Jamie Lee Curtis’ character, Laurie Strode’s unwavered determination to end Michael Myers.
Curtis and Nick Castle reprise their roles as Strode and Myers, adding to the authenticity and respect for longtime fans.
The audience won’t be too disappointed if they do not expect more than its legacy of murdered fornicating teenagers, Strode being an all-around screaming badass and Myers’ creepy, labored breathing.
Although there are 11 movies in the franchise, the new film is a direct sequel to the first, possibly causing some confusion, as Curtis starred in four of the films and her character was killed by Myers in “Halloween: Resurrection,” unjustifiably so.
The slasher film takes place 40 years after John Carpenter’s 1978 “Halloween,” where Myers stalks, kills and terrorizes Strode and her friends.
Myers’ intimidating presence is enhanced by his infamous mask, which is worn and menacing. He stays in character with his unbroken silence and senseless
Despite this fact, the theater was filled with more laughter from the audience as opposed to jump scares and gasps.
It makes one wonder if the film intended to be more of a comedy than a horror.
Decades later, “basket case” Strode has been hardened by her traumas, fear and knowledge of Myers’ eventual return.
Not one year has been wasted on her preparation, but the price Strode paid was the strained relationship with her daughter, played by Judy Greer.
An unnecessary and tired scare tactic that was prevalent in the film was the portrayal of mental illness, with Strode’s symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder even being trivialized.
Horror genre writers need to rely on something other than demonizing mental health patients and contributing to harmful stereotypes.
Curtis plays the role of an apparent delusional Strode, with her own daughter and other inhabitants of Haddonfield, Illinois not understanding her paranoia and insistence on being ready for the worst.
It seems the only one who supports her is her granddaughter, played by Andi Matichak.
“Halloween,” unsurprisingly, was the biggest opening in the franchise and horror opening with a female lead, one who is over 55 years old, at that.
Hollywood doesn’t seem to believe much in the success of dominant female leads, but the statistics don’t lie.
Curtis’ revival of the role redeemed the film and she should have had more screen time than two men having a boring conversation on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Really, what was the point in that?
Filled with more gore and violent murders instead of the original stabbing and occasional choking, the new film offers cringes, laughter and an endless love for Strode.
“Halloween” gets 3.5 out of 5 stars.
