Spanning forty-two years and eleven films, “Halloween,” has become one of the most recognizable film franchises on the planet. Conventions, fan films, podcast, and just about every media format available continues to celebrate, re-create, and debate over the ups and downs of this cultural phenomenon. Who taught Michael how to drive? Did Dr. Challis get the last network to shut off? Who the hell is the Cult of Thorn? Where is Laurie’s daughter in H2O? These questions and more are presented in Horror Nation’s ultimate review of the franchise spawned thru the original immortal classic.
HALLOWEEN (1978)
After fifteen years of incarceration at Smith’s Grove sanitarium, patient Michael Myers escapes before his transfer for court, a trial which his long serving psychiatrist hopes puts Myers behind bars for life. Shy high school student, Laurie Strode, consistently feels she is being stalked all thru the day. Her friends chalk this up to over paranoia exacerbated by the celebration of Halloween day. Dr. Samuel Loomis, Myers’s psychiatrist, races to Haddonfield where his nightmare suspicions come true. Once he confirms Michael has come home; Loomis quickly gets the town’s skeptical sheriff to set up an all-night patrol. Both Loomis and Strode are proven right as the bodies start to pile up in the quaint suburban town of Haddonfield. As his worst fears unravel Dr. Loomis attempts to track down and end this unstoppable force of pure evil.
Filmed in Southern California in May 1978 and released in October of the same year, on an extremely tight budget and insanely tight time frame, Halloween became the highest grossing independent film in history, raking in over seventy million upon release. Director John Carpenter and producer Debra Hill made a Kierkegaardian leap in the horror world. The duo took an old-world supernatural tale and made the monster a very real human. While most human slashers of the time went for over the top brutal kills such as, “Last House on the Left,” something mystical about Myers brought an entirely new aspect to human stalker/killer films. The setting of suburban America sent shivers down the spines of the nation as the perception of the boogeyman next door had everyone peeping from closed shutters that October in 1978. After legends Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee passed on the role of Dr. Loomis, Donald Pleasence stepped in. Pleasence’s performance perfectly counters the entire film, as the audience is captivated with Michael’s rampage, Pleasence delivers both vocal and physical scenes that bring in just enough dramatic effect to keep the viewer on edge as they hunt down the mad man with the good doctor. As if writing and directing this masterpiece was not enough, Carpenter puts out a terrific score with the immortal Halloween theme being the key note of the work. Then unknown actress Jamie Lee Curtis captures her scream queen crown, by portraying an intellectually awkward humble young woman that rises to fight off a sadistic killer. “Halloween” is a timeless classic that will be played for decades to come. The depth of the film thru Myer’s backstory, terrific performances, and a flawlessly shot piece, set the template for all modern slasher films.
Scream Score: 9/10
HALLOWEEN 2 (1981)
Set minutes after the conclusion of the first film, Laurie is whisked away to a hospital, Dr. Loomis continues his hunt for Michael after the shape takes six slugs and walks away, and the town of Haddonfield goes berserk as the community is under siege from a psycho. Myers does not miss a beat as the masked killer continues his rampage thru the neighborhood in search for the one that got away, eventually gathering media information that she is now at the hospital, Michael takes a stroll for a wellness check. Dr. Loomis, now working with deputy Gary Hunt, is ordered back to Smith Grove’s by the governor. Escorted by nurse Marion, Loomis is informed that Laurie is actually Myers’s sister. Upon hearing this information, Loomis heads to the hospital to save Laurie and put an end to the shape’s slaughter. Making their way thru the corridors of the hospital, the three leads head toward a climatic conclusion.
Carpenter originally wanted to set the film a few years in the future and have Myers track down Laurie at a high-rise apartment complex. Wanting a quicker turn around, developers Yablans and Akkad could not get Carpenter to direct as he was busy working on “The Fog.” Carpenter and Hill, over cases of beer, put together the script and settled on newcomer Rick Rosenthal. Rosenthal and Carpenter would clash after principal production, Carpenter wanting more violent scenes to keep up with the booming horror films that were being released weekly at that time. To his credit Rosenthal shoot a well done film and incorporates several first-person steady cam shoots keeping with the visual look that made the original so unique. Rosenthal stated that he was shooting someone else’s film the whole time and that his version was a more artistic, better paced piece. Pleasence steals the show again, delivering a frantic performance and madness that matches Myers. The sequel loses a bit of originality that the original brought and trades a dramatic plot for more brutal kills. “Halloween 2” is best watched uninterrupted directly after the original for a three-hour terror train, viewed separately or at different times, the film blends in with a lot of other slasher sideshows.
Scream Score: 8.3/10
HALLOWEEN 3: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982)
Dr. Daniel Challis gets called in when a gas station attendant brings in a startled comatose patient. When the patient is murdered and the killer torches themselves, a befuddled Challis goes in search of answers. Connecting with the victim’s daughter, the good doctor and Ellie find their way to Santa Mira in search for answers. A cavalcade of characters greets them at a hotel in the company town, home of Silver Shamrock novelties and the most popular mask of the October season. Slowly Challis comes to realize that Silver Shamrock has more sinister plans than simply making a fortune providing children with cheap thrills and mask. An evil Irish witch, a dashing drunk doctor, and robots in Armani suites run amuck in this third installment in the series.
Reluctant to go forth with another film, Hill and Carpenter wanted to take the franchise in a new direction by starting an anthology series. A new tale of terror released every Halloween season for the fright fans. The dynamic duo turned to original art director Tommy Lee Wallace to direct and he takes writing credit, though British writer Nigel Kneale created the story only to request his name stricken from the project after more horror was added to the original plot. Genre legend Tom Atkins shines as the lead. Strong, funny, and charismatic, Atkins portrayal of Dr. Challis has become a role he is best known for. Irish icon Dan O’Herlihy gives us an immortal character bringing substance and style to main antagonist millionaire Conal Cochran. Carpenter provides another perfect score with great high-pitched electronic themes to match the death scenes. Before the internet age where you basically know most plots before a film is released, “Season of the Witch” was lambasted by both critics and fans alike who were shocked with the absence of Myers. Years later and more to date, the film has found the audience it deserves. Now a cult classic, “Season of the Witch” is best known for the Silver Shamrock Halloween countdown song and Cochran’s big give away at nine slogan. A well-paced piece, solid performances, and a unique prelude into the horrors of corporate America make this third installment a timeless classic released way ahead of its time.
Scream Score: 8.4/10
HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS (1988)
At the conclusion of a decade long coma, Michael Myers awakens to the news that he is an uncle right as he is being transferred to a state facility the week of Halloween 1988. Dr. Loomis hears of Michaels escape and heads to Haddonfield to try and prevent another night of slaughter. Michael’s niece, Jamie, is now living with her foster family as her mother Laurie is deemed dead from a car wreck. Michael comes home again to a town that has tried their best to forget and not mention the boogeyman. New sheriff Ben Meeker teams up with Loomis reluctantly and the two set out to find Jamie and secure the town. During the shape’s search, Michael slices his way thru the town’s electric worker, an entire police force, and a lynch mob bent on revenge for the massacre a decade earlier. Loomis, Meeker, Jamie, and her foster sister dash thru the famed streets of Haddonfield trying to escape the knife of the shape.
Carpenter and Hill sold all rights to Akkad to continue the series. A script written by Dennis Etchison was scrapped where the story was basically of the town of Haddonfield and how Halloween was now banned in the serene suburb causing an eventual uprising. A fan of the original, Alan B. McElroy presented a much more straight forward three act horror film in attempt to bring Myers back in glorious gory fashion. The artistic originality from Carpenter is gone but director Dwight H. Little presents a fantastic action-packed product. With Curtis passing on the film, newcomer Danielle Harris puts in an amazing performance as lead actress, aged ten at the time of filming. Pleasance is the the only original actor to return. Now baring physical scars to match emotional ones, the character of Loomis is meet with as much celebrated applause as the shape himself. “The Return of Michael Myers” may be the best comeback horror film of all time. From his first insane kill to the last frame, actor George P. Wilbur shows the most physical performance of Myers to date. Perhaps lacking the originality and artistic form of the original, this fourth entry certainly makes up for it with a quick paced, stunt filled, thrill ride. Sub text of the town’s ten-year healing process from the original murders and Harris’s dramatic performance add depth to the work. Top marks to the production team for allowing Myers to actually hunt an elementary aged little girl this time round, bringing in a new level of terror. A box office success, “The Return of Michael Myers” was the first slice in what would become a fright film juggernaut of a franchise.
Scream Score: 8.8/10
HALLOWEEN 5: THE REVENGE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1989)
Shot six times? More like sixty and torched by explosives, thus was the ending of “Halloween 4.” “The Revenge of Michael Myers,” shows the shape actually drifting into a river bed and floating away to a hermit’s cave to rest up until next years annual fall slaughter. After stabbing her foster mother and becoming the subject of hatred in Haddonfield, Jamie now resides in a children’s facility where she has become mute and prone to violent outburst. As Halloween approaches Jaime starts to have visions of her uncle’s return and Dr. Loomis believes that Michael is not really dead. After a yearlong slumber Michael comes home yet again, ready to renew family ties. As per the film’s tagline: This time they are ready, um, no they are not, as Myers comes back to finish what he started and claim the last of his bloodline once and for all. Joining Jamie and Loomis this time round are sheriff Meeker and foster sister Rachel, both seeming prepared for anything this year. Once again, no they were not. A new set of friends, new set of teens, and really poorly trained police force once again go under the knife in this fifth installment of the series.
Many argue that “The Revenge of Michaels Myers” is the worst entry in the franchise. There is no argument about this, it is absolutely the worst entry in the franchise. Akkad completely rushed production after week two of part four showed tremendous financial gains. While the writing team and production stars from part four asked to delay part five until their other projects were done, Akkad enlisted writer Shem Bitterman to draft a script immediately. As what was expected and anticipated, Bitterman had Jamie start to take over the role of the evil child, even Pleasence strongly supported this new vision. Obsessed with having Michael as the lead Akkad rejected the script and brought in Michael Jacobs to write and Swiss director Dominique Othenin-Girard to take the helm. The latter under recommendation from Debra Hill. The film has one or two decent scenes. The best being Michael’s rise a year after to kill his care taker, signaling that he might just be normal thru the whole year but something about Halloween makes him go mad. Another is the sub plot of the man in black tracking Michael the entire film. The rest of the work is pretty much utter garbage. To his credit, Dominique does bring in some artistic shots and goes for a more European psychological aspect to the horror, it just did not play. Now mute, Jamie loses just about all empathy as a young strong heroine, a fixture plot in the series first carried by Jamie Lee. A few of the kills take place mid-day and are ineffective. The film’s violence did suffer due to a tough MPAA cut and it shows, while part four was an action-packed return, part five slugs around familiar territory and is light on the horror and action. Akkad should shoulder most of the blame, instead of going for the quick cash return, a year or two to develop a more cohesive entry would have paid higher dividends.
Scream Score: 5.5/10
HALLOWEEN 6: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1995)
Six years after the Haddonfield police station went up in flames, Jaimie and Michael are still missing and conspiracy theories are flying. A now grown Tommy Doyle, the young child Laurie Strode was babysitting in the original, has a theory on what drives Myers madness. After giving birth, Jamie flees a cult safe house with her newborn and attempts to find Dr. Loomis. Michael is sent to hunt her down and return to Haddonfield to finish some urgent family business. With Halloween now banned in Haddonfield, the youth along with a popular DJ attempt to resurrect the holiday and put the Myers conspiracies to rest. After finding Jamie’s baby, Dr. Loomis and Laurie Strode’s long lost cousins, Tommy puts together a plan to stop the evil once and for all.
“The Curse of Michael Myers” is aptly named as the production went thru a living hell under the sinister eyes of disgraced executive Harvey Weinstein. Writer Daniel Farrands, a long-time fan of the series, put together a fantastic script which attempted to link all of the films and give motive to Michael’s madness. After bad reviews from “a ton of fourteen-year olds” in New York, Dimension films went to work on this piece turning it into the jumbled mess it became. Dimension traded in Farrands plot for a more action-packed simpler piece, causing the film to jump from one story line to another with no cohesion. Director Joe Chappelle does a fine job with some great artistic kills. Not too much can be blamed on the performances as the post production nightmare that ensued chopped up the entire film. It can be said that now mainstream actor Paul Rudd’s take on Tommy Doyle is a template for over acting. Sadly, Mr. Pleasance passed before the release and performed while very ill, his few monologues are delivered with strength and beam with emotion, second to none in the entire series. Christopher Lee, Denise Richards, Howard Stern and a return from Danielle Harris are some big names that were set to join the cast. Harris’s story of being forced out is just one of the several debacles that started with this film and carried thru the Dimension era. Despite the horrific production, this sixth installment does have many good qualities making it a solid entry. Chappelle uses some great shots showing off Haddonfield in all of its autumn glory. Though played down thru later films, the entire Cult of Thorn plot brought some intriguing theories to a series that began to get stale and the fact that more Strodes existed brought some hope to future films. A giant leap from the previous film, but part six had the writing on the wall for where the storied franchise was heading.
Scream Score: 7.2/10
HALLOWEEN H2O: (1998)
Presented as a direct sequel to the first two films, we find Laurie Strode in California dealing with the demons of two decades one glass of wine at a time. Michael tracks down nurse Marion, whom had taken care of Dr. Loomis until his death, and gets the whereabouts of his long-lost sister. Now a single mother and head of a posh private school, Laurie attempts to hold it together before sending her students and her son off for a field trip all the while battling the anxiety of Halloween season and the paranoia of her brother’s return. John, Laurie’s son, and some friends ditch the trip for a traveling romp around campus. Michael arrives for a family reunion and a final showdown with his sister.
H2O up until 2018 became the highest grossing film in the series, bringing in around 75 million. The smash hit “Scream” a few years earlier brought horror back in a big way after a lull in the early 90’s; however, the new “bubble gum” PG13 style of horror had fans split on the new wave of fright films. The abandonment of the story line from the previous three films have split audiences more so than the tamer version of a true horror stalker film, a staple in the franchise. Daniel Farrands had a meaner more cohesive script but genre legend Kevin Williamson was brought on to bring a film to the masses. Curtis’s return paid huge financial gains for the franchise and ushered in a brand new younger generation to the series. Carpenter was slated to return but his 10 million-dollar three picture deal was quickly dismissed by Akkad and the brass at Dimension. Veteran horror filmmaker Steve Miner was brought in and presents a very clean piece with nice fade ins of the shape during some of Laurie’s visual psychotic breakdowns. Older fans of the franchise did not take to this new brand of horror. An absurd storyline, weak kill count, and a mellow performance from Chris Durand as Myers has many old hounds from Haddonfield putting this entry as worst in the series. In the end H2O made the “Halloween” franchise marketable and mainstream, thus setting a series that is now as immortal as the man himself.
Scream Score: 6.9/10
HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION (2002)
After killing a man she presumed was her brother, Laurie is now institutionalized and apparently borderline comatose. Once Myers finds her, the viewer comes to find out she has just been preparing for another battle. The legendary duo comes to a climatic conclusion and big brother heads home to Haddonfield yet again. A new reality show intends on cashing in on the legend of Michael Myers by throwing some college kids in his abandoned childhood home. The shape throws the unwanted guest a horror homecoming party and the worldwide audience gets to watch the entire show.
Franchise veteran Rick Rosenthal returns at the helm of this controversial entry. Once again Danielle Harris was strongly considered for a return only deemed irrelevant due to the continuation of the H20 storyline. For the most part Resurrection is viewed as a modest box office success and a far too comedic entry. What modern viewers forget is that in 2002 the internet age was kicking in and reality T.V. had viewers glued to their sets. What is lost by many is the terrific beginning montage of Michael’s and Laurie’s final sibling showdown, truly their best battle in the series. While a plot closer too some of the earlier films may have played better, the introduction of instant messaging, reality media, and a homage to first person point of view put this film years ahead of its time. The popularity of the performance from L.L. Cool J. in H2O opened the door and expanded market for hip hop legend Busta Rhymes to get involved in the film. Busta brings force and a strong comedic presence to the role, but the silly satire has turned hard core fans from this entry. Not much is known about the behind the production story leading us to believe that this was a simple rush job to cash in on the success of H2O.Enough slick kills, a new strong heroine rumored to be related to the Strode’s thru fan theories, and an open-ended finale did leave a lot of the fans ready for more from this storyline.
Scream Score: 7.2/10
HALLOWEEN (2007)
Young Michael Myers shows signs of a psychopath after it is revealed that he has been torturing and killing animals. After beating a bully to death, Michael heads home and kills his sister, her boyfriend, and his mother’s boyfriend. Sparing only his baby sister Laurie, Michael is shipped to Smith’s Grove where he delves into silent madness for fifteen years under the evaluation of Dr. Samuel Loomis. Laurie, now in high school, believes she is being stalked on Halloween day. Dr. Loomis is alerted that his patient and subject of his new book has escaped Smith’s Grove, in response Loomis heads back to Haddonfield convinced Michael will head home. After teaming up with the local sheriff it is revealed that Michael’s baby sister was adopted and living in Haddonfield. Myers and Loomis race to find Laurie first as a heap of Haddonfield corpses pile up.
With the box office smashes, “Dawn of the Dead,” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” reboots, it was only a matter of time before the “Halloween” franchise got a jump start. Hot off the heels of his first two terrific films, “House of 1000 Corpses,” and “The Devils Rejects,” Bob Weinstein got Rob Zombie to jump on board, giving Rob most of the creative control. Splitting fans, Zombie’s take on the immortal classic is a more human than supernatural piece. The film unravels in two acts, Michael as a child descending into a dark void, and Michael as an older unstoppable killing machine. From a trashy family, to abuse from staff and fellow patience at Smith’s Grove, Zombie shows a perfect portrayal of a serial killer in the making. Once we are brought up to speed the film never lets up on a quick paced thrill ride. Great kills, classic throwbacks, and great performances from Malcom McDowell and Brad Dourif really make this reboot worthy to be compared to the original classic. Series icon Danielle Harris returns with a gritty performance as Brackett’s daughter and Scout Taylor-Compton does justice to the role of Laurie. Though Carpenter sent his blessings to Zombie, Rob lashed out at his lack of support and became a little edgy in response to those who did not take to the film. “Halloween” 2007 is a great film in and of its own but this was the beginning of the end for Mr. Zombie.
Scream Score: 8.7/10
HALLOWEEN 2 (2009)
One year after the events of the previous film, a rebellious, psychologically damaged Laurie, is trying to cope with the loss of her friends, family, and strange visions that haunt her existence. Now living with the Bracketts, Laurie attempts to move on while the corpse of Myers has been missing for over a year. Michael recuperates from his nearly mortal wounds living as a drifter in the wilderness awaiting his favorite night and a signal from his dead mother to return home. Now a world-famous author, Dr. Loomis falls over himself with his new found fame while many of the public blame him for the massacre that has made him wealthy. Laurie discovers that Myers is her biological brother and starts a slow decent into madness herself. Michael returns home with a vengeance, desperate to find his sister and reunite her with their long dead mother. Once the slaughter starts, Loomis attempts to redeem himself by returning to Haddonfield to save Laurie and put an end to the evil for good.
This 2009 entry is exactly what happens when a sequel to a hit is rushed. After showing no interest in a sequel, Malek Akkad sought out French filmmakers to keep the terror train running. Not happy with the results, Zombie jumped back on board. Rob’s intent was to signify the effect the horror had on each character. Laurie slips into madness, Annie Brackket deals solemnly with the physical and metal scars, and Loomis embraces his new found fame. The subtext would have played much better without the entire mother calling her children home subplot, which is completely useless, but hey he got his wife in another film. A simpler decent into the psyche of the characters leaving the audience with a bit of imagination would have complemented the visual beauty of the film much better. As per the horror, Zombie does not hold back with a fantastic opening sequence and several brutal kills. Annie’s rematch with Michael and an auto accident stick out as top notch splatter scenes. Zombie, with his large base audience, was given way too much freedom for this entry. A jumbled plot, unlikable characters, and a lack of focus on Myers himself ruin what had the potential to be a spectacular sequel. This 2009 follow made a decent return financially but hard core fans and critics alike lambasted the over the top plot and shaky storyline. Zombie played the blame game and most believe he lost his flare and passion for the genre, as all his follow up films have been financial and critical disasters.
Scream Score: 7.1/10
HALLOWEEN (2018)
Forty years after the Haddonfield massacre, survivor Laurie Strode is holed up in her fortified home attempting to drink away the memories of that night. Real crime reporters attempt to speak with Michael Myers before his final transfer to a maximum-security prison. When the bus carrying Myers has an alleged accident, Michael escapes and Laurie frantically tries to warn and protect her estranged family from the incoming evil. Deputy Hawkins, who arrested Myers forty years ago teams with Laurie in a feeble attempt to protect the town and put the boogeyman down once and for all. Michael slices his way home in search for the one that got away. Once the carnival of carnage begins, Laurie’s family reunites and heads to the fortress to square off against the shape.
Similar to H20, once again audiences were told to ignore previous entries for a reimagining of the series taking place after the events of the original first two films. When rights thankfully left Dimension, Miramax and modern horror juggernaut Jason Blum picked up the film. After celebrated filmmaker Adam Wingard left early talks, the very talented team of David Gordon Green and Danny McBride helmed the project, with Green directing. This entry was to be a one off until the box office receipts started squirting money faster than one of Michaels victims. A complete hit, the film, like many others in the series, have fans split. To their credit, the production team pays homage to nearly every film in the franchise. From mask from “Seasons of the Witch,” to a gas station slaughter similar to “Return of Michael Myers.” McBride and Green present a quick-witted script that keeps the pace pumping. Green’s visuals are spot on and a long steady cam first person slaughter shot may just be the greatest couple of minutes in horror history. Honoring the entire series is also the fatal flaw that holds this film back. There are three revolving plot lines, Michael’s, Laurie’s, and her granddaughter Allison’s. Though edited together professionally, the viewer can never get attached to any singular story arc and this presents a mish mash of a story. Myers does chalk up a significant body count, but the kill scenes come either too quick or too drawn out, clearly showing Green’s lack of horror filmmaking as his background previously is known for comedy. The legend John Carpenter returns as advisor and more importantly scores the film. Forty years after his immortal Halloween theme the icon puts together another iconic soundtrack with “The Shape Hunts Allison” becoming another titanic terror track. “Halloween, (2018)” is a solid film that does justice to the series, however, due to the amount of material presented, this film is quickly forgotten unlike some of the better works in the series that live on forever. Two sequels to this entry are now filmed and awaiting release and the passion that Green and McBride have shown for the franchise has everyone eager to come home to Haddonfield yet again.
Scream Score- 8.3/10