While horror movie watching is a year-round event, this is that time of year when all of us can flourish, embracing the weird.
So, come one, come all, beasties unite! It’s Haunt-Tober time!
As far as Halloween films go, this is one that doesn’t get a lot of love. Why?
I don’t know, maybe it’s Josh Harnett’s hair, maybe it’s something else.
For me, I relish the entertainment factor. It’s got a singular location, a cast of great teen actors and a Jamie Lee Curtis who is fantastic again as her return to Laurie Strode.
She now lives in Northern California and is living under a fake name (she is Keri Tate), but the tragedies that have befallen the Strode’s continue to haunt. Her son John, the especially broody Josh Harnett, just wants to be a kid. He doesn’t want to live under the shadow of what happened like his mother.
John attends a private school (which Laurie is headmistress of) and has a girlfriend, Molly (Michelle Williams).
She’s got a love interest in Will Brennan (Adam Arkin) and otherwise things seem to be going well.
When Michael Myers escapes the facility he’s been in, there’s only one place, or rather, one person, he wants to see.
The school is going on a trip, but when some of his friends can’t go, John, Molly and friends Sarah (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe) and Charlie (Adam Hann-Byrd) decide to stay behind and have a party of their own. With the exception of the security guard played by LL Cool J, they are alone.
Steve Miner directs and he wields a stylish and succinct Halloween entry that doesn’t overstay its welcome and never feels forced. It’s a admirable slice of angry pumpkin pie and it’s as brutal as it is compelling.
Look, Halloween H20 isn’t winning awards and while it may strike some as veering away from some elements in the franchise it’s a killer sequel, especially amid less stellar ones.
It is also an efficiently crafted thriller that wastes no time jumping into the action and keeping your pulse elevated. It also features an epic showdown and some fantastic and creative slaughters. It also may be Jamie Lee Curtis’ best performance as the character.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary, a recent 4k Ultra HD Blu Ray steelbook was released and the kills and thrills never looked so good. Seek it out if you can!
A more claustrophobic take on Halloween fare, H20 features a stunning performance from Curtis who keeps this fast-paced feature from perishing.
Today’s winner:
