In this update of John Carpenter's classic horror movie, director Rob Zombie goes deep into the psychology of what makes a serial killer. Disturbingly evil even as a little kid, a young Michael Myers (Daeg Faerch) kills his sister and is sent to a mental hospital where he's treated by Dr. Loomis (Malcolm McDowell) who becomes obsessed with his young patient. Years later, an adult Michael (Tyler Mane) escapes and goes on a killing spree, especially going after a trio of beautiful teenagers (Scout Taylor-Compton, Danielle Harris, Kristina Klebe) on the scariest night of the year.
Halloween is Rob Zombie's third
directorial effort. His first, House of 1000 Corpses, was a fun horror film but
disappointing in that it was unmemorable. The Devil's Rejects, his second effort, was actually
OK. Zombie seems to excel is directing bad people doing bad things. The Devil's Rejects had some of the most disturbing images I've ever seen on film.
Because of his first 2 efforts I was excited to read that he would be remaking Halloween. Unfortunately, the movie was a disappointment. Or, I should say the second half of the film was a disappointment. The first hour shows how "Micheal Meyers" becomes a psychopath. As a child his home life is a mess. His mother is a stripper, her live-in boyfriend is an abusive loser, and his sister is a mouthy tramp. Micheal spends his afternoons alone torturing and dissecting dogs and cats. Although disturbing, this introduction to the horror that will follow is well done.
The second half of the film turns into a normal 80s slasher flick. Nothing original happens while Micheal kills innocent by-standards and anyone else who gets in his path. A trademark of 80's slasher flicks was how the victims got killed. I'm embarrassed to say, that it was entertaining to see how the movie makers could come up with new ways to "off" the nameless victims in their films.
If the horror genre is your favorite, you'll like Halloween. If you want to see a good film, rent something else. Jamie says "5".
