Halloween Movie Review

The following is a movie review “Halloween” by Marc Primo.

Release date: October 19, 2018 (United States)

Director: David Gordon Green

Language: English

Production companies: Universal Pictures, Miramax, Blumhouse Productions, Trancas International Films, Rough House Pictures

Producers: Malek Akkad, Jason Blum, Bill Block

It’s been 40 years since horror maestro John Carpenter wrote, directed, and scored Halloween—the godfather of the slasher flick genre. Top billing the cast was a then unknown Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut, who played teenager Laurie Strode, better known as the object of masked serial killer Michael Myers’ obsession.

Since the release of that 1978 classic, there have been nine Halloween installments, most of which were so bad that they played more like a trick than a treat. Fortunately, this 11th effort is the only one that is a direct sequel to Carpenter’s original—and it certainly shows, in a good way.

The story continues four decades later, where an aging Laurie Strode is living in isolation in her heavily armed home suffering from PTSD—and who can blame her—preparing for yet another showdown with Myers. Will she be agile enough to escape his maniacal killing spree this time around?

While director David Gordon Green is probably best remembered for stoner comedy Pineapple Express starring Seth Rogen, his attempt at horror actually succeeds. Halloween 2018 might not have Carpenter’s secret sauce that made it a cult classic, but it certainly stands out as the best installment since… well, since the original.

It would be naïve to question why Hollywood continues to churn out these reboots, most of which are long past their sell by dates. But if you are a fan of the first movie, or fancy a good old-fashioned slasher film with the OG scream queen reprising the role that made her famous, then this one does not disappoint.

Oh, and stick around for the post-credits scene…

If you want to read the latest movie reviews and find out more about Marc Primo click here.