Halloween Films - Page 9

Demdike@Cult Labs · #81 11th October 2017, 01:26 PM

Halloween (2007)

Rob Zombie's remake / re-imagining of John Carpenter's horror classic is largely very successful. The first forty minutes are where Zombie excels, giving us a lot of previously unexplored background information on Michael Myers' childhood and attempting to deal with the hows and whys. Arguably this isn't a direction the film needed to go in as many agree the almost motiveless killer doesn't require back story but by going down this avenue Zombie tries something new rather than just a typical retread of familiar ground. It's an idea Zombie has fun with - the whole dysfunctional family is bread and butter to him following films such as The Devil's Rejects.

The second third is indeed familiar ground as it's basically a revamp of the Carpenter film. Introducing us to Laurie Strode, with the likable Scout Taylor-Compton replacing Jamie Lee Curtis and Danielle Harris, familiar to those with a liking for the original sequels as best friend Annie. Although it utilizes Carpenter's classic stalking themes and indeed Carpenter's classic 'Stalking' signature theme it doesn't really grip like the original film did. But then again no slasher has done in this respect, yet it's still more than competent.

It's only in the final third as Myers attempts to murder Laurie that the film unravels a touch, or if not unravels, then travels down all too familiar roads which are ten a penny in any old slasher film.

The film boasts an impressive cast with several horror icons taking roles - Ken Foree, Dee Wallace (looking as lovely as ever), Udo Keir, Sybil Danning, Richard Lynch, Brad Dourif, and Clint Howard as well as jobs for the boys - Sid Haig - and the missus - Sheri Moon. The casting of Malcolm McDowell is spot on as Dr. Loomis. No one will ever replace Donald Pleasence but McDowell does very well with an almost impossible job.

All in all, Rob Zombie's Halloween is a good film with enough differences to warrant watching. It's also one of the better remakes of classic horror films this century has thrust upon us.

Just don't mention the sequel...[/QUOTE]

Wes · #82 11th October 2017, 02:08 PM

A very good and fair assessment of the film Demdike, and I agree with all your points. I saw the film when it first emerged on DVD and perhaps with my expectations in check, I was quite surprised how much I enjoyed it. I thought the grungy, edgy visual sensibility of the film - all rough hand-held shots and ragged framing was a nice contrast to the prowling Steadicam sweep of the original, but perhaps more importantly, I felt like the film was made with good intentions - it's certainly feels like a more genuine Horror film than the likes of the instantly forgettable, antiseptic remake of The Fog, or the boneheaded Friday the 13th atrocity.

We're a long way from 2007 and the shock of such a sacred text being subjected to an intrusive procedure like a remake, but I'd like to think the film's reputation is turning for the better. If you haven't seen the film in years, don't close the door on it, give it another shot.

Demoncrat · #83 11th October 2017, 04:11 PM

My hate for it may have subsided after all these years ....so may pinch mates copy. Or may not.

Wes · #84 12th October 2017, 08:16 AM

A little re-tweaking of film history just for fun... I was thinking about Halloween III: Season of the Witch earlier and it had me pondering on how the Halloween franchise might have developed as a series of stand-alone films. Season of the Witch's meshing of sci-fi and horror elements put Prince of Darkness in mind, and I could almost imagine Carpenter's film as a future installment - if the series produced a film a year, perhaps there might have been Halloween 8: Prince of Darkness...

bleakshaun · #85 12th October 2017, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes

A little re-tweaking of film history just for fun... I was thinking about Halloween III: Season of the Witch earlier and it had me pondering on how the Halloween franchise might have developed as a series of stand-alone films. Season of the Witch's meshing of sci-fi and horror elements put Prince of Darkness in mind, and I could almost imagine Carpenter's film as a future installment - if the series produced a film a year, perhaps there might have been Halloween 8: Prince of Darkness...

That would have been really interesting

Sent from my MediaPad T1 8.0 Pro using Tapatalk

Demoncrat · #86 14th October 2017, 09:36 AM

The abiding image from the Zombie film wasn't even in the film. Twas of an expectant child proudly brandishing his favourite new picture at his mother. Ahem.
Or
It's interesting to see what stood out for RZ with the original. His dragging out of something that is told in a few classic lines ..... is reminiscent of the dead ends in his music imho.

Never again.