It has been forty years since Director John Carpenter unleashed his horror classic Halloween, but it’s a genre favourite that hasn’t always earned a monstrously good follow-up.
Hopefully that is about to change as Universal Pictures will release Trancas International Films, Blumhouse Productions and Miramax’s Halloween on Friday, October 19th.
Judging by glowing reports from fans who saw it at Toronto International Film Festival, the indications are good.
The positive feedback is perhaps a relief for those who felt a little shortchanged by some of the disappointing sequels that followed the iconic 70s slasher. The franchise consisted of seven films which helped construct an extensive backstory whilst sometimes changing the narrative for the worse.
There were also two remakes of the first two films in 2007 and 2009 by heavy metal musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie, which received mixed reviews but were largely loathed by purists for their grubbiness, lack of scares and overuse of violence.
This eleventh instalment, directed by David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, Stronger) serves as a direct continuation to the original film that – despite paying homage – ignores the sequels to the original with Curtis reprising her role for the fourth time in the series. If you’ve seen any of the interviews in the run-up to this new chapter, you’ll see it’s very clear that Curtis is most proud of it; with fans who have seen it referencing it as the most genuine and loyal sequel of the series.
One obvious plus point of the new movie is that Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
There was so much to love about Carpenter’s Halloween in the 70s. The film inspired countless other slashers (such as Friday The 13th and The Evil Dead) which upped the violence and special effects. Yet this brooding and atmospheric low-budget thriller was genuinely terrifying without the need for on-screen gore or exaggerated make-up. It really did prove that less is more.
The original Halloween tells the story of serial killer Michael Myers as he stalks and kills teenage babysitters on Halloween night. Michael was committed to a sanitarium as a child for the murder of his older sister Judith Myers. Fifteen years later, he escapes to stalk and kill the people of the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois while being chased by his former psychiatrist, Samuel Loomis. Michael stalks Laurie Strode and her friends as they babysit.
A massive part of the film’s success is down to the energising yet unnerving score, which consists of a piano melody played in a 10/8 or “complex 5/4” time signature composed and performed by Carpenter himself. Once heard, it can never be forgotten, and it remains one of the most effective horror scores of all time.
Carpenter has been heavily involved in the 2018 update of Halloween. He once again provides the score for the new update, alongside son Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies. He also executive produces and serves as creative consultant on this film, joining forces with cinema’s current leading producer of horror, Jason Blum (Get Out, Split, Paranormal Activity). It is also clear that filmmakers David Gordon Green and Danny McBride have crafted a story that whilst carve a new path from the events in the original story, but also respect the foundations of what made the original such an original horror movie.
Halloween continues to thrill and terrify audiences into its 40th year with a new 4K restoration being available on BluRay. Four of John Carpenter’s other classics – newly restored for the big screen – will also have special screenings in selected cinemas across the UK in time for Halloween.
There is even more exciting news! Certain titles will be honoured with a collector’s edition box set release. Titles to be issued include The Fog, They Live and Escape From New York. Carpenter’s late 80s horror Prince Of Darkness will also receive a 4K BluRay release.
This evening, Boys On Film will be treated to a preview screening of Halloween in London’s West End, so make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel and clicking the notification bell to receive updates on when their review goes live.
Halloween is released on October 19 | John Carpenter’s They Live, The Fog, Prince Of Darkness & Escape From New York 4K & Ultra HD collector’s edition box sets are available from Oct 29.
Halloween Blu-ray 2018 Edition bluray (Blu-ray)
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