Halloween (2018) – 3.5/5

In listening to people talk about games, I have heard the phrase “swimming in sevens.” This means to convey a serviceable experience that isn’t perfect but brings some joy. I had some joy watching Halloween! It was a good feeling to after my feelings for the original flick, feelings which would have many series fans knife me to a wall. That will be my next review.

I loved the direct haunting nature of the movie. Michael ruthlessly takes lives with very little flair, and there is a really captured overwhelming dream for anyone in the room with him. The bathroom scene really sold the terror for me in a way the series had not yet.

I know some people may find the movie a bit more busy than the original, but I needed that. I don’t ever want to yuck the yum choices of others, but I desperately needed a bit more and this delivered. There was a balance to the development to, utilizing the podcasters as a way to reconnect everyone together. I also thought, while not necessarily done cleanly, the utilization of a Doctor as the anti-Loomis was a neat twist. Future movies push this too far, the idea that being around Michael may make you a bit more twisted, but it is believable here because of the characters backstory and the fact that he says that the podcaster should stay behind the yellow line while also allowing him to dangle Michael’s mask at him well within said yellow line. Something was up.

I will say I think Laurie’s basement kill chamber needed a bit more development. It was really cool, but I also wonder what her plans was for getting him down there and her out. She had years to prepare, you would think she would have a few more exits. I think some people may take issue with her becoming a super prepper, after all only the events of the first movie count here, but I think seeing someone fall apart to her extent is not out of bounds. I took issue with the scene of her running into her daughters home and waiving a gun around, but I like the idea of further showing that she can’t even articulate the way she needs to. Horror trope or calculated planning? I am unsure but I think a finer hand could have sold that a bit more.

Overall, I enjoyed Halloween 2018. It may even be my favorite as its own movie. I think it sits comfortable at the opposite end of H20 for me, it is a bit more serious and a bit more brave. Both are enjoyable but one is an easier copy/paste 90’s-horror-vibe and the other is this fun flick. Be kind to yourself and watch the original, this one, and then stop. It is a complete story and it is best executed this way. I say this as someone who wasn’t even super-keen on the original. I can recognize that most people enjoy it thoroughly more than I did and I can see how well it ties together with this gem.

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