HALLOWEEN Report Card

REPORT CARD

HALLOWEEN – Universal Pictures

SUMMARY: Grade = A	The movie captures all the elements that made the original a classic.  It’s more intense, than horror related.  The addition of a few humorous anecdotes, like the babysitting segment with the little black boy, are well placed.  Many scenes pay homage to the first, and that keeps the movie grounded.  Don’t miss this one.
ACTING Grade = B	Jamie Lee is best known for this role.  She plays it in a manic sense, much like Linda Hamilton played Sarah Connor in TERMINATOR 2.  Courtney is emblematic as Myers. The rest of the cast performs yeoman duty.
SCRIPT Grade = B	The concept of throwing out all the sequels to the original, and continuing the story with this one is good.  Most horror franchises die slowly after the first. This script is smart, sticking to the original concept and characters, and tossing in a bit of humor as well.  The only flaw is the transformation of the doctor.  It really makes no sense, and simply plays a small, but unnecessary homage to one of the now moot sequels.
TECHNICAL: Grade = A	The sequencing and cinematography in HALLOWEEN is spectacular.  It make s this movie a must see on the big screen.  Watch for a segment involving “flashlight” photography, where the viewers has the point of view of the flashlight.  It makes a standard chase scene quite notable. Of course, the music is John Carpenter’s original theme, with multiple variations.  It’s a keeper.
IMPRESSIONS:	If the studios approached all sequels like this, there wouldn’t be so many wasted films. As I have been saying for years, Danny McBride is a stronger talent behind the camera, than in front.
STARS	Jamie Lee Curtis; Will Patton; Haluk Bilginer; Virginia Gardner; Andi Matichak and James Jude Courtney.
TECH FOLKS:	Director – David Gordon Green Writers – Jeff Fradley, Danny McBride Cinematographer – Michael Simmonds Production Designer – Richard Wright Editor – Tim Alverson, ACE Music – John, Cody Carpenter
RECOMMENDATIONS:	With the Halloween season upon us, there maybe a temptation to wait, and catch this on streaming or VOD offers after the holidays.  Don’t.  This should be seen on the big screen. Talk is already buzzing about another in the series to follow this.  While the studio may be eager, Carpenter may not, and he is key. Everyone knows I’ve had a long-distance love affair with Jame Lee Curtis since the first HALLOWEEN.  Now that she is older, I can say she looks better with the short, sassy haircut.